Consistency. It’s one of the more important aspects of a successful season. If you look at the NC State men’s basketball team record it’s easy to determine that this team is still in search of that going forward as ACC play revs up.
The Wolfpack currently sit at 9-8 overall and 2-4 in the ACC. NC State has won two of their last three….but has also lost six of their last eight. That’s where the need for consistency comes into play. When the Wolfpack are locked in, they have proven they can play with almost anybody in the country.
Earlier this season, NC State held a double-digit lead over then top-ranked Purdue before eventually falling to the Boilermakers in overtime. Then there’s the other side of the fence like their double-digit loss to Wright State in December at home.
After an ugly loss last Saturday at home against Clemson, the Wolfpack showed that they can pull it together with an impressive 79-63 road win at Louisville – avenging an early loss to the Cards. The Wolfpack shot a blazing 48% from beyond the arc, connecting on 12 three-point baskets. With leading scorer Dereon Seabron being held to just 15 points, NC State showed they have enough in the stable to still get it done as freshman Terquavion Smith and senior Cole Hellems paced the Wolfpack offense with 24 and 19 points each.
Both of NC State’s ACC wins have been on the road and what’s next for the Wolfpack…another road ACC matchup. This one is in Durham against in-state foe Duke Saturday. What’s a stake? Another chance for the Wolfpack to gain that much-needed consistency over an in-state rival and a top 10 opponent, which NC State desperately needs to build its resume for a surge towards March. It’s now or never.