With hopes of securing resume-boosting victories dwindling, North Carolina State aims to get back in the win column on Wednesday when it visits Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.
The Wolfpack (9-7, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) look little like the team that won the conference tournament and made an unlikely run to the Final Four a year ago. NC State shot just 3-of-19 (15.8 percent) from 3-point land in a 63-61 home loss to North Carolina on Saturday.
The Wolfpack have lost four of their last six games and don’t rank in the top 100 nationally in any meaningful offensive categories. They shoot just 31.6 percent from 3-point range, which ranks 286th nationally entering Tuesday.
If there is a recipe for success for NC State, perhaps it’s winning inside. This season, the Wolfpack are 8-1 when they outscore their opponent in the paint.
“Our offense tends to flow a little bit better when we play the game inside out,” NC State coach Kevin Keatts said. “And that’s not necessarily always throwing the ball in. Sometimes that’s driving the ball and our drive and kicks. In the Carolina game, I didn’t think we had enough paint touches where we drove the ball.”
Like the Wolfpack, the Hokies (7-9, 2-3) have also seen better days. Virginia Tech endured a six-game losing streak earlier this season and has lost three of its last five. Most recently, though, the Hokies went on the road and notched a 71-68 win at California on Saturday.
Tyler Johnson had 11 points to lead four Virginia Tech scorers in double figures. The freshman guard also grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds.
“We do some really, really good things and we do some things that I just scratch my head, and I don’t fault them,” Hokies coach Mike Young said. “They have the right stuff about them and I admire them, but it’s a lot. I’ve got to do a better job.”
More good news could be on the way for Virginia Tech as Young hinted at freshman point guard Ben Hammond returning to action against the Wolfpack. Hammond, who was wearing a walking boot on the bench while the Hokies played Cal, averages five points and 2.2 assists per game.
NC State’s Marcus Hill — averaging 13.3 points per game after scoring 20 against the Tar Heels — will likely be atop the Hokies’ scouting report.
–Field Level Media
