Backing The Pack - All PostsCheering for anyone else is for quitters.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47119/backingthepack-fave.png2024-03-28T03:08:09-04:00http://www.backingthepack.com/rss/current/2024-03-28T03:08:09-04:002024-03-28T03:08:09-04:00NCAAT Round 3 Preview: NC State Takes On #8 Marquette
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: N.C. State at Pittsburgh" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/b8C9OGXiCmYyLivyci7BNpFSREw=/38x0:4900x3241/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73238097/usa_today_17671640.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Wolfpack team huddle | Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Let’s shock the world!</p> <p id="aIvYDi"><strong>When: </strong>Saturday March 29, 7:09 PM ET</p>
<p id="OTqqo4"><strong>Where: </strong>American Airlines Center Dallas TX</p>
<p id="fe38Um"><strong>TV: </strong>CBS</p>
<p id="Etx8cZ"><strong>Opponent: </strong>Marquette University Golden Eagles (Big East)</p>
<p id="Fl24fH"><strong>Pomeroy Prediction:</strong> Marquette 78-72</p>
<p id="m8mKSg"><strong>Wolfpack Snapshot:</strong> 2024 ACC Champions, AP #29</p>
<p id="uQslwI"><strong>Wolfpack Season So Far: </strong>24-14</p>
<p id="DPBkeo"><strong>Wolfpack Injury Report:</strong></p>
<p id="slHmrI">Mo Diarra (observing Ramadan) will refrain from food or drink until sundown</p>
<p id="uZGYJm">MJ Rice will sit out the remainder of the season and apply for a redshirt.</p>
<h3 id="QnE5Pu"><strong>Opponent Overview:</strong></h3>
<p id="331lnS"><strong>History: </strong>Wolfpack versus Golden Eagles (3-2)</p>
<ul>
<li id="jy7fY2">2009-2010 @Marquette, Win 77-73</li>
<li id="dRtYpW">2008-2009 Loss 65-68</li>
<li id="YaYnJG">1991-1992 @Marquette, Loss 42-66</li>
<li id="zUkHaL">1990-1991 Win 89-76</li>
<li id="Y3xjEL">1973-1974 in Greensboro, Win 76-64 (National Championship Game)</li>
</ul>
<div id="2UyssB"><div data-anthem-component="table:12290120"></div></div>
<div id="LqOjzT"><div data-anthem-component="table:12290121"></div></div>
<p id="ovYp4x"><strong>Season So Far:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="3wYBdn">AP #8</li>
<li id="HTEq3O">2<sup>nd</sup> in Big East behind UConn</li>
<li id="XkDFxp">Record: 27-9, 14-6</li>
</ul>
<p id="I0UXRK"><strong>Common Opponents:</strong></p>
<p id="InDJWS">Notre Dame: Marquette 78-59, NC State 54-52</p>
<p id="gXAhdU"><strong>Marquette On Offense</strong></p>
<p id="XIRBCM">The offense runs through star point guard, Tyler Kolek who leads the nation in assists per game, and he has only increased his average in the tournament with 11 assists in each game. (tying Dwyane Wade’s team record) Kolek has the perfect complement in shooting guard Kam Jones who leads the team in scoring, shoots 41.4% from 3PT and has had 30 or more points four times this season. </p>
<p id="sJkchn">Center Oso Ighodaro has four double-doubles on the season, and is a good passer, averaging 2.9 assists per game. </p>
<p id="tJQ5li">As a team they attempt about 25 3PT shots per game, shooting 36%. Four of their top 7 players average better than 36% per game and have each taken over 100 3PT shots on the season. </p>
<p id="UDyoBw">Interesting scheduling note, the Eagles played seven teams KenPom currently ranks in the top 30 in adjusted defensive efficiency, going 8-4, losing to Purdue and to UConn three times.</p>
<p id="pyKpYT"><strong>Marquette On Defense</strong></p>
<p id="ZW2kdI">Marquette forces 14.7 turnovers per game.</p>
<p id="ORBZQw">Five of their top six players average better than one steal per game. </p>
<p id="43bXbr"><strong>Player Notes</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="iC9pGu">Tyler Kolek - All Big East 1st team, #1 nationally in assists per game, tied for 5th in total assists for the season, had 18 assists in one game</li>
<li id="op9LM5">Oso Ighodaro - All Big East 2nd team, had 16 rebounds in a game</li>
<li id="We6PmD">Kam Jones - 34 points scored twice, made 8 3PT in one game</li>
</ul>
<div id="JS0cet"><div data-anthem-component="table:12290123"></div></div>
<p id="BQ7bsN"><strong>NCAA Tournament Games So Far:</strong></p>
<p id="bvoKp6">Round of 32: Colorado – Marquette had their best shooting half of the season hitting 67.9% to take an 11-point halftime lead, 45-34. Colorado got their high-powered offense going in the second half and had the lead with just over 5 minutes remaining. It was tied with 4:02 left, and then Marquette took the lead and held on for the 4-point win, 81-77. The major statistical difference in the game was the Eagles shot a season high 61.8 FG% (CU 47%) for the game and also had one of their better 3PT shooting nights, 42.9 3PT% (CU 33.3%). Kolek scored 21 on 10-14 FG (0-1 3PT) and had 11 assists. </p>
<p id="Cha0Dj">Round of 64: Western Kentucky – The Golden Eagles started slowly, committed 8 turnovers, and everyone struggled to score except the guards, Jones and Kolek. WKU was up 43-36 at the half. But Marquette righted the ship in the second half, shot 55% from the field, only had 2 turnovers, and held WKU to only 26 points, winning 87-69. Marquette had their season highs in blocked shots (11) and 3PT attempts (36). Jones scored 28 including 5-10 from 3PT.</p>
<p id="a0yVJ0"></p>
<h2 id="uYevjI"><strong>Go Pack!</strong></h2>
https://www.backingthepack.com/2024/3/28/24112698/ncaat-round-3-preview-nc-state-takes-on-8-marquetteWolphpack2024-03-27T19:16:42-04:002024-03-27T19:16:42-04:00Opponent Preview: Notre Dame
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<img alt="Pittsburgh v Notre Dame" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pDIL8Ui22EmOvrnJm5PrhN3taJM=/0x0:6464x4309/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73237570/1492936537.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Meet the Fighting Irish... A good, not great team</p> <h3 id="mO9hnK">Who’s the Pack playing?</h3>
<p id="cmDSTh"><strong>Opponent</strong>: Notre Dame</p>
<p id="Xk7MDg"><strong>Mascot</strong>: Decorative Building Toppers | <strong>School Location</strong>: South Bend, IN | <strong>Conference</strong>: ACC</p>
<p id="evNPEN"><strong>2024 Record</strong>: 14-9 (2-7, T-6th Atlantic) | <strong>2024 RPI Rank</strong>: 17</p>
<p id="kA3fUD"><strong>2023 Record</strong>: 30-24 (15-15, 4th Atlantic) | <strong>2023 RPI Rank</strong>: 58</p>
<p id="pQaiFz"><strong>2022 Record</strong>: 41-17 (16-11, 2nd Atlantic) | <strong>2022 RPI Rank</strong>: 3</p>
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<h3 id="BOaW0G">When? Where? How do I watch?</h3>
<p id="23eK3g"><strong>Location</strong>: Doak Field at Dail Park (Raleigh, NC)</p>
<p id="6kyQxd"><strong>Game Time(s)</strong>: Thu, Mar 28 @ 7:00pm | Fri, Mar 29 @ 8:00pm | Sat, Mar 30 @ 3:00pm</p>
<p id="pQQQqw"><strong>TV</strong>:<strong> </strong>Friday (<a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/8918fc9f-bbe8-4a72-b2f2-31bc2791722d">ACCNX</a>), Saturday (<a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/345d0590-8130-457c-afab-4e4c6a2aaa25">ACC Network</a>), Sunday (<a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/118dd923-cd6e-4d4b-8c99-e214dd9fa00c">ACCNX</a>)</p>
<p id="4YO425"><strong>Live Stats</strong>: <a href="https://gopack.com/sidearmstats/baseball/summary">Sidearm Stats</a></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="KObA2u">
<h3 id="0s2czi">Tell me about this team</h3>
<p id="XgM4md">Second year head coach Shawn Stiffler effectively used the transfer portal to create an experienced team with 10 grad students (9 of them grad transfers for 2024) supplementing another 8 seniors on the roster. </p>
<p id="wxEWYL">The ACC is incredibly stacked this year with 8 currently ranked teams and the Fighting Irish started off conference play with two of those, getting swept by both Virginia Tech and Florida State. The composure of the roster showed through last weekend as Notre Dame took two of three from Miami to get things moving right.</p>
<p id="QV2X5O">The offense and pitching have taken turns carrying the team through various portions of the season thus far. The team has an overall slash line of .283/.382/.531, which isn’t great by ACC standards but has been enough. Irish pitching is holding opponents to a slash line of .275/.375/.484 while sporting a 6.53 ERA. </p>
<p id="iKiVtL">For that pitching staff, the weakness is a lack of bullpen depth and a still unsettled weekend rotation. The Irish rank dead last in the ACC in strikeouts per game and are 13th in home runs per game. </p>
<p id="GoQHnW">Regardless of whether the bats are producing or the pitchers are keeping opponents off the board, the defense in the field has been there. Notre Dame currently ranks 3rd in the conference in fielding percentage (.983) - only one percentage point before conference leader Florida State - and are tied for second in the number of double plays turned. Those twin-killers are helpful.</p>
<p id="aD37vk">The ACC schedule isn’t going to get much better for the Irish with NC State, Clemson, and North Carolina next up on the docket, but this is a dangerous and experienced team led by a solid coaching staff. They’re more than capable of making some noise and could be a dangerous team come ACC Tournament time.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="smtdk5">
<h3 id="pxhGsr">Pitching Matchups</h3>
<p id="zsAtlv"><strong>Thursday</strong>: RHP <strong>Sam Highfill</strong> (SR) — TBD</p>
<p id="KvqHNx"><strong>Friday</strong>: RHP <strong>Logan Whitaker</strong> (SR) — TBD</p>
<p id="RdFl4V"><strong>Saturday</strong>: LHP <strong>Dominic Fritton</strong> (SO) — TBD</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="b6QWbc">
<h3 id="j17ELH">Key Players:</h3>
<h4 id="wvwSpa">Offense</h4>
<p id="gHlRKT">CF <strong>T.J. Williams </strong>(SR) - .434/.527/.671, 8.4 BB%, 17.9 K%, 7-8 SB. Second in the ACC in batting average and first in OBP. Currently on a 6-game hitting streak, including a pair of 4-hit efforts. A very good defender, the bat catching up to the defensive skills for the 5’11 Maryland native should help improve his draft stock.</p>
<p id="s5Jzyl">LF <strong>David Glancy </strong>(SR) - .273/.387/.662, 10.8 BB%, 18.3 K%, 2-4 SB. Grad transfer from St. John’s where he popped 24 HR over the last two seasons. So far this year leads Notre Dame in HR (8) and is 3rd in SLG. Like Williams, also is currently sporting a 6-game hitting streak.</p>
<p id="9V2sOw">3B <strong>Simon Baumgardt </strong>(SR) - .303/.396/.596, 12.3 BB%, 23.6 K%, 1-2 SB. Grad transfer from Tulane went hitless in last weekend’s series against Miami, but had multi-hit efforts in four of the seven games before that. Has only struck out once in his last 17 AB. Has a solid glove at the hot corner.</p>
<p id="f4aYrx">1B <strong>Connor Hincks </strong>(SR) - .315/.370/.573, 8.8 BB%, 22.6 K%, 1-1 SB. Started off his career at Virginia before transferring to Notre Dame ahead of the 2022 season. Only saw 10 PA over his first two years in South Bend, but is a full-time starter this year. The lefty hitter has five games this year with 5+ RBI.</p>
<p id="7ouQkD">Pitching</p>
<p id="ULJc3K">RHP <strong>Matt Bedford </strong>(SR) - 1-3, 4.56 ERA, 23.2 IP, 8.7 BB%, 18.3 K%. Is in his first season as a full-time starter and taking well to the role, despite being on a limited pitch count. Has yet to hit 70 pitches in any outing and last week against Miami (4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K) was the first time he’s worked into the 5th inning this year.</p>
<p id="YU8n9J">RHP <strong>Jack Radel </strong>(FR) - 2-0, 3.10 ERA, 20.1 IP, 5.5 BB%, 15.4 K%. The freshman from South Dakota has started each of the last two weekends with good results: 8.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. Offers mid-90’s heat from his 6’5 frame.</p>
<p id="hHtscD">RHP <strong>Bennett Flynn </strong>(SR) - 1-1, 2 SV, 3.97 ERA, 22.2 IP, 10.5 BB%, 35.8 K%. Grad transfer from Davidson where he saved 14 games over his four year Wildcats career. The top relief arm for the Irish sits in the low 90’s, utilizing a knuckle-curve as his out pitch.</p>
<p id="5XSzKu">RHP <strong>Radek Birkholz </strong>(JR) - 3-0, 4.67 ERA, 17.1 IP, 21.8 BB%, 25.6 K%. Control’s never been his forte, but he’s had a super hard time with it in 2024. Still one of the most frequently used relief arms on the team after leading the team in appearances last year. Has allowed just 1 run on 2 hits over his last 5.1 IP (4 games).</p>
<p id="msdxPY">RHP <strong>Rory</strong> <strong>Fox </strong>(SO) - 1-0, 5.50 ERA, 18.0 IP, 10.3 BB%, 20.5 K%. The second-year player is a two-way guy, but so far has been used almost exclusively as a pitcher. Has had a rough go of it the last two times out, but did get a start vs Miami last weekend (4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K).</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="rPXjha">
<h3 id="I5ON40">Quick! Fun Facts!</h3>
<p id="S2mDzU">There have been 76 Notre Dame alums who have reached the MLB level, including 7 players who played at that level in 2023: RHP Joe Boyle (Athletics), RHP Peter Solomon (Diamondbacks), OF Matt Vierling (Tigers), RHP Brandon Bielak (Astros), INF Cavan Biggio (Blue Jays), INF Trey Mancini (Cubs), and OF A.J. Pollock (Giants, Mariners).</p>
<p id="PmjYUN">The four LHPs on Notre Dame’s roster have pitched a combined 1.0 inning this year.</p>
<p id="hrPPvr">NC State currently holds a 15-13 lead in the all-time series between these two schools. The two schools have only met once in the postseason: a 3-0 NC State win in the 2015 ACC Tournament.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="KfSwAR">
<h3 id="baeYG2">The Key To A Series Win For State</h3>
<p id="mm6zMD">Notre Dame doesn’t have a deep bullpen and they don’t let their starters run very long in games with the pitch counts. If State can show some patience at the dish, work pitch counts, and get the starters out of the games early, they’ll find some advantageous scenarios to put some runs on the board.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="gikwsI">
<h3 id="WcgV7h">Prediction</h3>
<p id="S6Iyp5">Facing a team almost completely devoid of southpaws is a good matchup for a State lineup stocked with lefty hitters. The Wolfpack take advantage and secure their second straight ACC series win.</p>
<p id="GGtf8n"><strong>Outcome</strong>: The Pack take two of three.</p>
<p id="hmt9nh"></p>
https://www.backingthepack.com/nc-state-baseball/2024/3/27/24113424/nc-state-wolfpack-baseball-pack9-opponent-preview-notre-dame-fighting-irish-acc-raleigh-2024PirateWolf2024-03-27T14:06:20-04:002024-03-27T14:06:20-04:002024 March Madness: Opening odds for NC State vs. Marquette Sweet 16 matchup
<figure>
<img alt="Oakland v NC State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/h-Z0Z8erMYggYACwFFFTC7QBtb8=/0x0:5083x3389/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73236811/2108085094.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Pack is an underdog, but that’s nothing new. </p> <p id="UbGU9n">NC State is your official Cinderella of the 2024 NCAA tournament after an opening weekend that was rather straightforward by March standards: the only double-digit seed remaining (the only team still alive seeded worse than No. 6, in fact), the only team left rated outside the KenPom top 25. </p>
<p id="jHAFLJ">Do we mind this? We do not. Next up is a very good Marquette team that has the Pack <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/ncaab?referrer=singular_click_id%3d9b9ce4c0-adb3-4227-9d91-dda8bea755ad&wpcid=166791&wpcn=Inartcile&wpcrid=CBB&wpsrc=Vox">a healthy 6.5-point underdog</a>, per DraftKings. The over/under is set at 151.5. Definitely could see plenty of points in this game considering how well both teams have been playing offensively. </p>
<p id="7b21Uq">Marquette has lived in the KenPom top-15 for pretty much the entire season and has wins over Kansas, Illinois, Texas, and Creighton to its credit. (Lost all three matchups with UConn, however.) To reach the Sweet Sixteen, the Golden Eagles beat Western Kentucky by 18, then edged an underrated Colorado team by four points. </p>
<p id="w44W5T">This’ll be a tough task, but hey, State has been an underdog in four of its last five games and won them all anyway. One of those wins, of course, came against Duke, which is joining us in Dallas and could be a potential Elite Eight opponent. The Blue Devils are four-point underdogs in their matchup with Houston. </p>
<p id="kj0inw">You can grab NC State at +1300 to win the South Region right now, though maybe that’s getting a little too far ahead of ourselves. </p>
https://www.backingthepack.com/nc-state-basketball/2024/3/27/24113480/march-madness-nc-state-vs-marquette-sweet-16-odds-2024-betting-lines-ncaa-basketball-draftkingsSteven Muma2024-03-26T09:38:10-04:002024-03-26T09:38:10-04:00Opponent Preview: UNC-Greensboro (Part Deux)
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<img alt="COLLEGE BASEBALL: MAY 13 UNCG at Ohio State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3Hd8JaRM5Cqghrhw-rN5k0FWaRI=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73233558/1254622263.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Meet the Spartans (again)... A team that’s hard to get a read on</p> <h3 id="mO9hnK">Who’s the Pack playing?</h3>
<p id="cmDSTh"><strong>Opponent</strong>: UNC-Greensboro</p>
<p id="Xk7MDg"><strong>Mascot</strong>: Those dudes from 300 | <strong>School Location</strong>: Greensboro, NC | <strong>Conference</strong>: Southern</p>
<p id="evNPEN"><strong>2024 Record</strong>: 13-10 (2-1, T-3rd) | <strong>2024 RPI Rank</strong>: 81</p>
<p id="kA3fUD"><strong>2023 Record</strong>: 25-34 (9-12, 6th) | <strong>2023 RPI Rank</strong>: 139</p>
<p id="pQaiFz"><strong>2022 Record</strong>: 34-30 (12-9, T-2nd*) | <strong>2022 RPI Rank</strong>: 94</p>
<p id="k5LuDP"><em>*2022 Southern Conference Tournament Champions</em></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="bWXgMk">
<h3 id="8phwt8">When? Where? How do I watch?</h3>
<p id="23eK3g"><strong>Location</strong>: UNCG Baseball Stadium (Greensboro, NC)</p>
<p id="6kyQxd"><strong>Game Time(s)</strong>: Tue, Mar 26 @ 6:00pm</p>
<p id="pQQQqw"><strong>TV</strong>:<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/eafd3318-dd7c-4060-a652-be6459ccbafe">ESPN+</a></p>
<p id="4YO425"><strong>Live Stats</strong>: <a href="https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=508124">Stat Broadcast</a></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="2FqSdB">
<h3 id="CSFAsP">Tell me about this team</h3>
<p id="XgM4md">These two faced off two weeks ago, and <a href="https://www.backingthepack.com/nc-state-baseball/2024/3/11/24090820/nc-state-wolfpack-baseball-pack9-opponent-preview-uncg-spartans-midweek-2024-raleigh-cozart">here’s that preview article</a> for reference.</p>
<p id="9DTPHx">UNCG is 4-4 against RPI Top 100 teams, including owning wins over Wake Forest (RPI #24) and NC State (45). The Spartans are also 9-6 against teams with an RPI worse than 100, including two losses to Binghamton (194) and a loss to Elon (242). Getting a read on this team is really difficult.</p>
<p id="rZCY46">Obviously, given the fact that UNCG has already taken down NC State - and by a 15-run final margin, no less - the Wolfpack cannot take this game lightly. The Spartans dropped three of their next five games after their romp over the Pack, but have won their last two over a capable Mercer squad.</p>
<p id="UjPwlX">Julien Peissel, the starting pitcher in the Spartans wins over both Wake Forest and NC State, has moved the weekend rotation where his pairing with Rob Ready gives UNCG a 1-2 punch that should put them on solid footing in any SoCon series. They still need to find a consistent third weekend starter (Caleb Cozart?) and some more bullpen depth.</p>
<p id="6vPsEz">As an interesting storyline to this game - and speaking of the guy - Caleb Cozart will be starting on the mound for UNCG. This will give us at least one brother-on-brother plate appearance. As noted in the preview article last time for this matchup, Jacob singled and flied out head-to-head against his brother last year. We’ll see what the 2024 Cozart Clash brings about.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="ckaNP6">
<h3 id="AnKSwE">Pitching Matchup</h3>
<p id="zsAtlv"><strong>Tuesday</strong>: LHP <strong>Ryan Marohn</strong> (FR) — RHP <strong>Caleb Cozart </strong>(SO)</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="VWljQ7">
<h3 id="aA39lw">Key Players:</h3>
<h4 id="wvwSpa">Offense</h4>
<p id="0VdC3f">3B <strong>Jake Ogden </strong>(SO) - .289/.368/.344, 8.3 BB%, 13 K%, 8-8 SB. Since last time, the BA, OBP, BB%, and K% have all slightly regressed, but the SLG has improved and he’s remained perfect in stolen bases.</p>
<p id="Yp8R63">LF/1B <strong>G.C. Jarman</strong> (SR) - .357/.471/.393, 12.3 BB%, 13.7 K%, 5-10 SB. He doesn’t hit for much power, but Jarman continues to get on base at an incredible clip thanks to his contact oriented approach. He’s just 2-for-7 over the last 8 games in stolen base attempts, so apparently he also likes to remove himself from the bases once there.</p>
<p id="YyjdWF">DH/1B <strong>Caleb Cozart</strong> (SR) - .247/.380/.704, 12.0 BB%, 24.0 K%, 1-1 SB. The big fella has hits in 7 of his last 8 games, including popping 5 HR during that stretch. Leads the team with 11 dingers on the year.</p>
<p id="8CxdTh">C <strong>Mitchell Smith</strong> (rSR) - .264/.398/.389, 13.5 BB%, 11.2 K%, 7-7 SB. Former Ohio State player who went the JUCO route before landing in Greensboro where he’s started 139 games now over two-plus years. Has really turned it on of late. Had a 7-game hitting streak earlier in March, including across four games total versus Clemson and NC State, and has multi-hit efforts in three of the last four games.</p>
<h4 id="HRXGDQ">Pitching</h4>
<p id="97Fg40">RHP <strong>Caleb Cozart </strong>(SR) - 0-0, 1 ERA, 9 IP, 8.3 BB%, 30.6 K%. Finally getting a chance to do a bit more on the mound - although they could have waited until after this game to do that, but whatever. This will be his second start of the season. Last Tuesday he went 3.0 scoreless, hitless innings against NC A&T while also homering at the plate.</p>
<p id="koOCCb">RHP <strong>Brandon Hudson </strong>(rSO) - 2-0, 1 SV, 6.14 ERA, 14.2 IP, 10.4 BB%, 19.4 K%. The one-time Wolfpacker has been getting a bit more run of late, but still with mixed results. Control has been the major issue with 4 walks, a hit batter, and a wild pitch over his last 4.2 IP.</p>
<p id="0tziuq">RHP <strong>Danny Thompson, Jr. </strong>(JR) - 3-2, 3.52 ERA, 15.1 IP, 10.1 BB%, 30.4 K%. Continues to have a very good year, although he did get saddled with the loss on the mound against NC A&T last week, giving up a run over 1.2 IP. Still a strikeout machine.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="V282ar">
<h3 id="kmxXnm">Quick! Fun Facts!</h3>
<p id="S2mDzU">No fun facts for today. Go get a win, Pack!</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="bXX5Qx">
<h3 id="KPFGdJ">The Key To A Win For State</h3>
<p id="2b9yAW">State needs to get the bats going early and get into the UNCG bullpen. Caleb Cozart is likely to be stretched more than the 3.0 innings that he’s pitched in each of his prior three appearances this year, especially if he’s having success. Jump on Cozart early, get past their top relief arms, and pound away at the bullpen.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="ipvg1J">
<h3 id="uNXPJt">Prediction</h3>
<p id="S6Iyp5">Ryan Marohn has put forth solid efforts in his last two outings, including in the win against Coastal Carolina last Tuesday. He’ll again give State enough solid innings to get the bats going, with the Wolfpack pulling away late in a victory.</p>
<p id="vCOrgu"><strong>Outcome</strong>: Pack prevails, 9-5.</p>
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https://www.backingthepack.com/nc-state-baseball/2024/3/26/24111860/nc-state-wolfpack-baseball-pack9-opponent-preview-unc-greensboro-uncg-spartans-part-deux-cozartPirateWolf2024-03-25T23:39:28-04:002024-03-25T23:39:28-04:00NC State beats Tennessee, 79-72, advances to Sweet Sixteen
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<img alt="Tennessee v NC State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BrFzDQePQt4wrco7MLMVa0x7zO4=/0x0:5927x3951/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73232960/2105335281.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Lance King/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="0FW7wh">I was expecting a challenge today, just not in the form of taking a 20-point lead and then having to hold on for dear life. After NC State took a 51-31 lead right out of halftime, Tennessee got its offense in gear and started chipping away, but in the end couldn’t make enough plays to push ahead.</p>
<p id="bThJQy">The Volunteers pulled to within two points in the fourth quarter, but thankfully State had answers, and Aziaha James’ big three to push the lead back to seven with 2:51 remaining helped ensure the Pack would advance. </p>
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<p id="I5dHHZ">The Wolfpack could have made it a little easier on themselves in the final minute, but the Vols never managed to get back to within a single possession anyway. </p>
<p id="6A1oHF">James led all Wolfpack scorers with 22 points, and Saniya Rivers had 20, plus her usual bit of stat-sheet stuffing: six boards, three blocks, two assists, two steals. Those two played all 40 minutes. </p>
<p id="prunz4">This game ended up a statistical push in several areas, but the Pack’s plus-six turnover margin ended up being a big deal. Especially with second-chance opportunities being nearly non-existent for both sides, that turnover margin made a difference. </p>
<p id="Eq81om">It was a more consistent offensive effort from State than in the first round, with the Pack going for 20+ points in three of four quarters. </p>
<p id="UtuicA">NC State is off to Portland for the next two rounds, and will face Stanford in the Sweet Sixteen.</p>
https://www.backingthepack.com/nc-state-wolfpack-women/2024/3/25/24112183/nc-state-beats-tennessee-79-72-advances-to-sweet-sixteenSteven Muma2024-03-25T15:35:00-04:002024-03-25T15:35:00-04:00Game thread: Tennessee vs. NC State, NCAA tournament second round
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<img alt="Chattanooga v NC State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/s0x9Rli4LzMaJJIfsBgAdvEzgxo=/0x0:6462x4308/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73232188/2100339490.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Lance King/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Go Pack.</p> <p id="2WOqoj">Let’s hope the Pack gets off to a better start today, because this one’s not going to be easy.</p>
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<p id="ivFgBG"><strong>Volunteers vs. Wolfpack</strong></p>
<p id="hu2Ns7">Tip time: 4 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="bY2OPg">TV: ESPN (Eric Frede, Steffi Sorensen)</p>
<p id="mns6Qo">Online streaming: <a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/22e7d439-a349-4b4c-9888-3607cccd824c">WatchESPN</a></p>
https://www.backingthepack.com/nc-state-wolfpack-women/2024/3/25/24110166/game-thread-tennessee-vs-nc-state-ncaa-tournament-second-roundSteven Muma2024-03-25T10:09:43-04:002024-03-25T10:09:43-04:00NC State’s Sweet Sixteen game against Marquette set for Friday night
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<img alt="Oakland v NC State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7rWEbD5jIHyif3WPVj00HlvXa9E=/0x0:2463x1642/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73231221/2108084067.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="2dDMG9">The dust has settled from the NCAA tournament’s opening weekend and the <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2024-03-24/2024-march-madness-mens-ncaa-tournament-schedule-dates#:~:text=Final%20Four%3A%20Saturday%2C%20April%206,Farm%20Stadium%20in%20Glendale%2C%20Arizona.">schedule for the Sweet Sixteen</a> is set. NC State will take on second-seeded Marquette at 7:09 p.m. ET on Friday, with television coverage by CBS.</p>
<p id="bKdU8j">The Golden Eagles reached this point by beating Western Kentucky in the first round and then fending off <a href="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401638625/colorado-marquette">a tough challenge from Colorado</a> in round two. CU was one of eight double-digit seeds to make it to the second round, but only one advanced to the Sweet Sixteen: NC State. </p>
<p id="nvjELy">It’s a chalky Sweet Sixteen, with Clemson and the Pack the two lowest-seeded teams remaining; all four one- and two-seeds remain alive. Opposite NCSU/Marquette in the South Region is No. 1 Houston and No. 4 Duke. Since these games are being played in Dallas, there figures to be a sizeable Houston contingent there, and those that arrive early enough should be rooting for State against Marquette, I would think. We’ll take whatever small bonuses we can get. </p>
https://www.backingthepack.com/nc-state-basketball/2024/3/25/24111367/sweet-sixteen-schedule-nc-state-marquette-ncaa-basketballSteven Muma2024-03-24T08:28:16-04:002024-03-24T08:28:16-04:00Serrano walk-off home run caps 6-run 9th inning for Wolfpack in series clinching win over Duke
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<img alt="NC State v Duke" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JJNIj4PwZg-JVJqXlwvQaJje0oA=/0x0:3609x2406/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73229219/1492772534.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Pennington homered in both the 8th and 9th innings off Duke star closer Beilenson</p> <p id="IDbaoc">NC State used a 6-run 9th inning rally on Saturday to clinch a huge series win over 9th ranked Duke. The win moves the Wolfpack to 5-3 in conference play and 15-6 overall. Duke drops to 3-5 in conference play and 16-7 overall.</p>
<p id="7AEOS8">There’s not really much to highlight about the early portion of this game. Duke slowly pulled out to a 4-0 lead heading into the 5th inning. </p>
<p id="WI5FtN">A Noah Soles 2-run home run in the bottom of the 5th, also scoring Brandon Butterworth, seemed like it would get the Pack going...</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ball got out of here in a hurry <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pack9?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pack9</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/NoahSoles2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NoahSoles2</a> <a href="https://t.co/TtKUPxTJ9s">pic.twitter.com/TtKUPxTJ9s</a></p>— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NCStateBaseball/status/1771639142373376266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2024</a>
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<p id="Nzmzn8">... but Duke plated two themselves in the top of the 6th to push the Pack’s deficit back to four. A.J. Gracia then hit a 2-run home run in the top of the 8th to extend Duke’s lead to 8-2 and it seemed like this one was all but over, especially with the Blue Devils trotting out star closer Charlie Beilenson to finish things out.</p>
<p id="PJwk1c">Thankfully, Garrett Pennington didn’t get the memo. He led off the bottom of the 8th with a massive solo shot to left field.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">LONG gone from No. 33 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pack9?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pack9</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Garrettpenn14?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Garrettpenn14</a> <a href="https://t.co/cYDhWkHKcs">pic.twitter.com/cYDhWkHKcs</a></p>— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NCStateBaseball/status/1771655685001842947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2024</a>
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<p id="thFhBc">That was the only run the Pack would plate in the frame, but Derrick Smith shut down Duke’s bats in order in the 9th to send the game to the bottom of that frame and what would be a frantic and amazing walk-off Wolfpack win.</p>
<p id="wBPmrf">Butterworth walked and Soles was hit by a 2-strike pitch to lead things off. Beilenson struck out pinch-hitter Drew Lanphere on three pitches and then Josh Hogue hit a grounder to first base that looked like a 3-6-3 game-ending double play. Thankfully, the throw to second was off target and skipped away into the outfield, allowing Butterworth to score and Soles and Hogue to move to third base and second base, respectively.</p>
<p id="ZErsVh">Pennington immediately made it a very costly error, taking Beilenson out of the park for the second straight inning, cutting it to an 8-7 Duke lead. (Sorry, I can’t find any video of Penny’s 3-run shot to share.)</p>
<p id="rImUyv">Alec Makarewicz grounded out on the first pitch of his at-bat to put the Blue Devils an out away from victory, but Jacob Cozart crushed the first pitch of his subsequent at-bat to the wall in left field. Cozart’s ball was hit so hard that the carom held him to a single. </p>
<p id="ovQ5Lj">The significance of advancing that one extra base on the play didn’t end up being much matter.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">ABSOLUTE SCENES, WALK IT OFF <a href="https://twitter.com/eliserrano__?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@eliserrano__</a> <a href="https://t.co/dIyoUn684I">pic.twitter.com/dIyoUn684I</a></p>— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NCStateBaseball/status/1771662381828960563?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2024</a>
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<p id="xYedAR">Serrano’s 2-run walk-off homer clinched the series win for the Pack ahead of Sunday’s 1:00pm finale.</p>
<p id="BgQpe6">Pennington (2-for-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI), Cozart (2-for-4, BB), and Serrano (2-for-5, HR, R, 2 RBI) each had multi-hit outings. Butterworth (1-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB) and Soles (1-for-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, HBP) also reached base multiple times each in the game. Smith’s clean outing (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K) earned him the win on the mound, the first of his NC State career.</p>
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https://www.backingthepack.com/nc-state-baseball/2024/3/24/24110347/serrano-walk-off-home-run-caps-6-run-9th-inning-for-wolfpack-in-series-clinching-win-over-dukePirateWolf