In line with a season that has already given more abnormal situations, the NC State Wolfpack head on the road for a rare weekday afternoon tipoff against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Game time is set for 4:30 PM and can be seen on the ACC Network.
NC State (8-9 overall, 4-8 ACC) returns to the court following a disappointing 69-53 loss at home to Duke last Saturday. The Wolfpack trailed the majority of the game and never caught ground offensively. The 53 points were a season-low for the Wolfpack.
Cole Hellems paces the Wolfpack on offense averaging 13.0 ppg followed by DJ Funderburk at 11.9 ppg. Both average just over five rebounds per game, tailing leading rebounder Manny Bates who collects 6.2 rebounds per outing while adding 9.7 ppg and an ACC leading 2.9 blocks per game.
Pittsburgh (9-7 overall, 5-6 ACC) enters Wednesday’s contest looking to end a two-game skid, most recently falling to Georgia Tech Sunday 71-65. The Panthers have dropped four of their last five contests.
The Panthers are led by one of the top scorers in the ACC in Justin Champagnie, who is averaging a double-double at 18.7 ppg and 11.6 rebounds per contest. Au’Diese Toney and Xavier Johnson follow at 14 ppg each.
Both teams are averaging near 73 points per game and are allowing 70 points each. The Panthers hold a clear advantage in rebounding at 39 to 32 and assisted baskets at 15 to just 12 for the Wolfpack.
The Wolfpack have won 11 straight in the series with Pitt’s last victory coming in 2014.
Keys To Victory
NC State: Scoring from younger side of roster. Take advantage of Pitt’s post defense. Protect the basketball.
Pittsburgh: Feed Champagnie. Force turnovers. Let Xavier Johnson facilitate.