The Florida State win took most of the pressure off this game. That is not a good thing. I am worried about another half-hearted effort on the road Wednesday night. While we don't need a win, a focused, solid effort would show this team is ready to make noise in March. Saturday will serve as a barometer of how focused this team is and if they are ready for a run or a "one and done" type group.
What's changed since we last met? BC beat the Pack back in January in a uneventful, controlled win. Although their record is not great, NC State is playing much better basketball. They've won four conference games and played well in losses to UNC and Virginia Tech. Their improvement has been due to better rebounding and getting a little deeper and healthier.
Keys to Wednesday night. I am usually against chucking it up, but I actually think BC should look for outside shots in this game. NC State won't apply much perimeter pressure and we stand a decent shot at picking up second chance points off of rebounds. Conversely, I think we should apply a little more ball pressure than usual as the NCSU guards are prone to turnovers.
BC can and should win this game. As I said, it won't impact much but will be very telling to the team's attitude and maturity.
Kenpom's scouting report of NC State.
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8 comments:
The Game is next wednesday....
not to nitpick (you're my boy, ATL) but how does it make sense that NC State's recent "improvement has been due to better rebounding" but BC should look for outside shots because "we stand a decent shot at picking up second chance points off of rebounds?"
those arguments seem contradictory.
Lunardi has moved us up to a #9.....
I'm going to try to go to this game at the RBC Center in Raleigh this coming Wednesday - as noted by PR EAGLE - and I hope our guys bring their A game.
This emphasizes the main problem I have with the new BCAA website; i.e., there is no running schedule on the front page.
The old site had a box which one could scroll to see all sports events on a given day and what the broadcast coverage would be.
I can't see anything similar on the new site. It requires three or four clicks through the levels to drill down to a sports schedule.
I don't think we should consider any game from now on as a non-must win.
Yes, even if we lose to NC State and win at home vs. GT - we still look likely to make the tournament (barring a disastrous showing in the ACC Tourney.)
However, consider this. If we win these next two games and FSU loses we jump to the #5 seed in the tournament. They have three tough games coming up - (Clemson, @ Duke, & Va Tech.)
Then, if Wake, Duke or Clemson lose TWO of their last games, (which is not completely out of the question) we are looking at a #4 seed and a first round bye in the ACC Tourney.
So not saying this game is do-or-die, but winning these last two games opens up some exciting potential scenarios in the ACC.
Just win baby! None of this "well, we can lose this one and still..."! BC better come to play (note Georgetown beating Nova today) AND let's hope that the eagles have spent at least a half an hour in each practice since the FSU game working on their in-bounds plays and full court press-break!!! Have you ever seen a D1 team not able to get the ball inbounds (to their own team!) twice in a row (as in the last seconds of the FSU game)??!! Incredible! If I were NCState I would full court press the eagles from the git-go. But of course I am an Eagles fan and hope they play us "soft" all game long! Go Eagles!
Well said, Lou.
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