WASHINGTON DC – Wake Forest gave North Carolina State all they could handle in game one of the 2016 New York Like ACC Tournament, but in the end, the Wolfpack would defeat the Demon Deacons 75-72 to move on to face Duke in Wednesday’s second round – where things won’t get any easier.
But if you thought playing Duke for the 3rd time this season would intimidate Cat Barber, you’re wrong. In fact, NC State’s First Team All-ACCer says he’s looking forward to it.
Just like if it was anybody else, playing anybody else, just not Duke, we’re going to approach it the same way. It’s great to play Duke again. We’re looking forward to it. We’re going to come out tomorrow and try to get a win.
When asked if they were tense, Barber responded with a definitive No.
No, we not tense. We going to enjoy this win tonight. I don’t got no problem with our guys. We not scared. We not going into this game worried about it. We’re going to go back to the hotel, relax and be ready. I’m just going to keep saying that, we going to be ready.
Well, I guess NC State will be ready tomorrow….
Duke won both regular season meetings, 88-78 on January 23rd and 88-80 on February 6th.
Game Notes:
- With Tuesday’s win, NC State squared its season’s record at 16-16.
- NC State improved to 71-52 in all-time ACC Tournament games and 9-6 in first-round games.
- With 22 points, ACC leading scorer Anthony “Cat” Barber reached double figures in scoring for the 30th time in 32 games this season. Barber posted his 21st game this season of 20 points or more.
- Tuesday’s game featured 15 ties and 16 lead changes.