Fresh off a tough road defeat Sunday evening, the NC State Wolfpack look to get back on the winning side as they face the UVA Cavilers Wednesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 pm inside PNC Arena.
The Wolfpack (7-6 overall, 3-5 ACC) enter the contest recently falling to Syracuse last Sunday evening 76-73 in heartbreaking fashion. NC State led by 9 points at the break, before seeing their lead dwindle down in the last three minutes of the game which saw several lead changes.
Playing in their first contest without leading scorer Devon Daniels, the Wolfpack would also be without DJ Funderburk who missed Sunday’s contest due to a university policy and his status is unknown for Wednesday’s contest. Cole Hellems leads the Wolfpack in scoring at 12.7 ppg, following a 24 point outing versus Syracuse. Manny Bates adds 9.7 points and 6.2 rebounds and also just under four blocks an outing.
UVA returns to the court for the first time since falling to rival Virginia Tech last Saturday 65-51. The Cavilers continue to have a balanced offensive attack with three players averaging double-figures – Sam Hauser, Jay Huff, and Trey Murphy III tallying 14.6,13.8 and 10.8 respectfully. Hauser also leads in the rebounds at 7.6 ppg. Four Cavilers will be making their return to the Triangle area in Huff and Murphy III (Durham, NC), Kadin Shedrick (Raleigh, NC) and Justin McKoy (Cary, NC). Freshman guard Carson McCorkle also started his high school career in Raleigh.
Keys To Victory
NC State: Outside shooting; Keeping Bates on the floor; Positive half-court offense against a tough defense.
Virginia: Continued balanced scoring from offensive leaders. Force NC State to play ugly. Win the turnover battle.