NC State Host 19th Ranked Clemson In Raleigh
After taking down than ranked number two ranked Duke NC State welcomes another ranked opponent in nineteenth ranked Clemson Thursday night to Raleigh.
NC State enters the game coming off a 96-85 win over second-ranked Duke, while Clemson has opened the season with a 14-1 record and is one of just three teams still undefeated in ACC play. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/10/mens-basketball-pack-hosts-another-ranked-foe-as-clemson-visits-pnc-arena.aspx
Pack Tracks
-NC State captured its first ACC win of the season Saturday evening as it knocked off second-ranked Duke, 96-85. The Pack rode a balanced offensive attack to victory, placing six players in double figures led by Torin Dorn and Omer Yurtseven who both scored 16 points. Duke entered the game leading the nation with a +13.1 rebounding advantage, but the Pack had a +2 advantage in rebounding on Duke.
-Welcome to the ACC, Coach Keatts: In his first season as head coach of the Pack, Kevin Keatts is getting a quick look at how tough the ACC gauntlet can be. His NC State team opened the ACC schedule with two road games, the first Pack team since 2007-08 to start ACC play with consecutive road games and the Pack's ACC home-opener was against preseason favorite Duke. In addition, the Pack started a streak Saturday where its next three opponents are in the top-five of the RPI. NC State played Duke (RPI:1) Saturday, Clemson (RPI:5) on Thursday and Virginia (RPI:2) on Sunday.
-With victories over No. 2 Arizona, 90-84, on Nov. 22 and Saturday's win over No. 2 Duke, 96-85, this year's NC State team has become the first in program history to secure two wins in the regular season over teams ranked second or better in the national rankings. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/10/mens-basketball-pack-hosts-another-ranked-foe-as-clemson-visits-pnc-arena.aspx
Constant Defensive Pressure leading to Opponent Turnovers
NC State head coach Kevin Keatts came to Raleigh promising that his program would pressure the opponents full court and create turnovers.
-The Pack has forced nine of its 16 opponents this season into 16+-turnovers. Four times, the Pack has forced opponents into 20 or more turnovers in a single game. The last NC State team to force opponents into 20 or more turnovers four times in a season was the 2009-10 team. The last seven NC State teams (2010-11 team through 2016-17 team) only twice forced opponents into 20 turnovers (2010-11 team forced East Carolina into 20 turnovers on 11/18/10 and 2016-17 team forced Virginia Tech into 20 turnovers on 1/4/17). In Keatts first four games at NC State, his teams forced opponents into 21 (VMI), 24 (Charleston Southern), 27 (Bryant) and 22 (Presbyterian) turnovers.
-The 27 turnovers NC State forced Bryant into on Nov. 14 are the most turnovers the Pack has forced an opponent to commit since Mount St. Mary's had 27 on Nov. 22, 2002.
-In the first four games this season, the Pack forced its opponents into more turnovers than made field goals.
-In 16 games, the Pack has forced 257 turnovers. The 16.1 turnovers forced per game ranks tied for 42nd in NCAA Dl and are the second most forced turnovers by a team from the ACC.
-NC State recorded 14 steals in Tuesday's win over Bryant. It's the most steals in a game for NC State since the Pack had 16 steals in a win over Boston College on Jan. 19, 2012. It was a 192 game span between 14+-steal games for the Pack. NC State has 130 steals in 16 games this season, a mark that ranks second in the ACC and 47th overall in NCAA DI. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/10/mens-basketball-pack-hosts-another-ranked-foe-as-clemson-visits-pnc-arena.aspx
Healthy Freeman Becoming an Offensive Force
NC State senior Lennard Freeman had offseason leg surgery prior to the 2015-16 season and after playing through pain, elected to have offseason leg surgery again prior to the 2016-17 season and sat out the year to recover. Now fully healthy, Freeman has started his senior season with an offensive outburst.
-A career 3.6 points per game average coming into the season, Freeman has reset his career-high three times this season and is averaging 11.7 points per game through 15 games. He opened the year with 15 points against VMI, had 20 against Bryant and then had 23 in the Pack's win against Presbyterian.
-Freeman is shooting a team-best 71.4 percent from the field this season. Freeman would lead the ACC in FG percentage, but falls short of the minimum number of field goal makes to rank among ACC leaders.
-In 103 career games coming into this season, Freeman had only scored in double figures six times, he's scored in double figures in 10 of 16 games this season.
-The game against Presbyterian on November 16 was the 107th career game in an NC State uniform for Freeman. It was the first time in those 107 games that Freeman led NC State in scoring. Freeman led the Pack in scoring for the second time in his career with 19 points in a 103-71 win over South Carolina State on Dec. 2.
-Has already scored 187 points this season, the most points he has ever scored in a single season in his career. He surpassed his previous single-season scoring mark in 12 games this season. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/10/mens-basketball-pack-hosts-another-ranked-foe-as-clemson-visits-pnc-arena.aspx
Bench Production
- NC State's bench is averaging to score 25.4 points per game this season. The Pack's bench has outscored the opponents bench, 379-253 this year.
- NC State's bench has outscored the opponents bench in 11 of 16 games this season.
- In the win over No. 2 Arizona at the Battle 4 Atlantis, NC State's bench outscored Arizona's, 39-6. Braxton Beverly had 20 points off-the-bench for the Pack in the win, while Omer Yurtseven had 11 points and a team-best nine rebounds.
- Against Penn State, NC State's bench outscored the Nittany Lions, 39-9. The Pack's bench consisting of Yurtseven, Sam Hunt and Lavar Batts, Jr., combined to shoot 12-for-15 from the field (80 percent), including 9-for-10 from three-point range. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/10/mens-basketball-pack-hosts-another-ranked-foe-as-clemson-visits-pnc-arena.aspx
Pack Rewriting NC State/PNC Arena Record Books in Kevin Keatts First Season
- NC State has already broke three PNC Arena records and one program record in the first few months of the Kevin Keatts era. This season marks the 19th season NC State has called PNC Arena home. The arena opened on October 29, 1999.
- NC State's 116 points against Jacksonville on Dec. 22 is the most in PNC Arena history. (Previous mark was 113 set by UNC-Chapel Hill against Mount St. Mary's on March 21, 2008.) It is the most points in a game for NC State since defeating UNC Asheville, 120-71, on Dec. 20, 1995.
- NC State's 19 three-pointers against Jacksonville on Dec. 22 are the most in PNC Arena history and the most in program history. The previous high in PNC Arena was 17 three-pointers by ECU on Nov. 15, 2011 against Northwestern. The previous program high was 18 against Florida State on Feb. 10, 1992.
- NC State's 31 assists against South Carolina State on Dec. 2 are the most in PNC Arena history. The previous high was 28 set twice prior to this season. The Pack had 28 assists in the win over Jacksonville on Dec. 22. In two of the first nine games at PNC Arena in the Kevin Keatts era, the Pack had the most and tied-for-second most assists in a game in the 19-year old arena.
- NC State's 52-point win over Jacksonville on Dec. 22 (116-64) is the second-largest margin of victory in PNC Arena history (55; NC State 99-44 over Campbell on Nov. 26, 2004 is largest). It's the largest margin of victory for NC State since Dec. 1, 1998 vs. Army (+61, 94-33).
- NC State forced Bryant into 27 turnovers on Nov. 14. It ranks as the third-most turnovers in a game in PNC Arena history. It's the most turnovers the Pack has forced an opponent to commit since Mount St. Mary's had 27 on Nov. 22, 2002. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/10/mens-basketball-pack-hosts-another-ranked-foe-as-clemson-visits-pnc-arena.aspx
Freshman Braxton Beverly Shining in Freshman Season
-Freshman guard Braxton Beverly has seen his production go up as the Hazard, Ky. native has gotten more comfortable playing at the college level this season. Beverly wasn't cleared to play for NC State this season until Tuesday, Nov. 14 after initially being declared ineligible by the NCAA.
-Beverly currently ranks fourth in the ACC with a 2.82 assist-to-turnover ratio. The freshman guard has had only one game this season with more turnovers than assists and has had one turnover or fewer in eight of the 14 games he's played in this season.
-After only having 10 assists in the first six games of the season (1.7 per game), Beverly has 52 assists in the last eight games (6.5 per game)
-For the season, Beverly is shooting 37.7 percent from three-point range, but he has been feast or famine from three-point range this season. He has not connected on a three-pointer in five of 12 games this season. In those five games he is a combined 0-for-14 from three-point range. Beverly has made multiple three-pointers in the other nine games he has played on this season. In the nine games he's made a three-pointer, he is averaging to hit 2.9 per game and is shooting 47.3% (26-for-55) from long-range. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/10/mens-basketball-pack-hosts-another-ranked-foe-as-clemson-visits-pnc-arena.aspx
Shooting Success for Pack Trio
-NC State's Torin Dorn, Lennard Freeman and Omer Yurtseven have all been efficient scorers for the Pack this season.
-Dorn is shooting 55.2 percent from the field this season (80-for-145) and has shot 50 percent or better in 11 of 16 games, including six of the last seven games.
-Freeman is shooting 71.4 percent from the field this season (70-for-98) and has shot 50 percent or better in every game, but one this season.
-Yurtseven is shooting 61.2 percent from the field this season (79-for-129) and has shot 50 percent or better in 13 of 16 games, including 12 of the last 13 games."according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/10/mens-basketball-pack-hosts-another-ranked-foe-as-clemson-visits-pnc-arena.aspx
As for NC State's last game, Kevin Keatts who is in his first season in Raleigh got his first Atlantic Coast Conference win.
For the second time this season, the NC State men's basketball team knocked off the nation's second-ranked team as the Wolfpack downed No. 2 Duke 96-85 Saturday night inside PNC Arena. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/6/mens-basketball-nc-state-downs-second-ranked-duke-96-85.aspx?path=mbball
It was the first time in program history that NC State has beaten two teams ranked No. 2 or higher in the regular season. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/6/mens-basketball-nc-state-downs-second-ranked-duke-96-85.aspx?path=mbball
In head coach Kevin Keatts' first ACC win and NC State's first ACC win of the season, Omer Yurtseven and Torin Dorn each finished with 16 points to lead the Pack in scoring. Yurtseven tied his career high in field goals made with eight, while also finishing with nine rebounds to lead NC State on the boards. Allerik Freeman added 15 points, five rebounds and had a career-high five assists. Freeman was also perfect from the free-throw line, knocking down all seven of his attempts. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/6/mens-basketball-nc-state-downs-second-ranked-duke-96-85.aspx?path=mbball
Rounding out the Wolfpack's balanced attack was Braxton Beverly who chipped in 14 points, Lennard Freeman who was a tower of strength inside with 13, and Abdul-Malik Abu who contributed 10. Lavar Batts, Jr., also provided a spark off the bench as he added a career-high five assists and grabbed four rebounds. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/6/mens-basketball-nc-state-downs-second-ranked-duke-96-85.aspx?path=mbball
NC State's bench was pivotal in the win as it outscored Duke's bench, 25-4. The Wolfpack's defensive pressure created 22 points off turnovers and the squad had 20 second chance points. The Pack also shut down the Blue Devils' three-point attack as Duke was held to just 20 percent shooting from behind the arc. The Wolfpack also had the advantage on the boards, out-rebounding Duke, 34-32. Free throw shooting was also key to NC State's win, as it converted on 23-of-25 attempts for 92 percent. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/6/mens-basketball-nc-state-downs-second-ranked-duke-96-85.aspx?path=mbball
Tonight's win was a case of déjà vu for NC State as the last time Duke entered PNC Arena ranked No. 2 (Jan. 15, 2015) the Wolfpack prevailed, 87-75. It also marked the first time since 1995 NC State has defeated Duke on two consecutive occasions. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/6/mens-basketball-nc-state-downs-second-ranked-duke-96-85.aspx?path=mbball
Duke led in the early stages of the game, but NC State took the lead with 7:29 on the clock thanks to a 12-0 run capped off by a Sam Hunt three-pointer from the left corner to take the lead, 28-27. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/6/mens-basketball-nc-state-downs-second-ranked-duke-96-85.aspx?path=mbball
The remainder of the half was a back-and-forth battle. Yurtseven closed out his 10-point, six rebound first half with an emphatic two-handed put-back dunk to give NC State a 43-41 lead going into halftime. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/6/mens-basketball-nc-state-downs-second-ranked-duke-96-85.aspx?path=mbball
Dorn came out of halftime and set the tone for what was a 12-point half early; he banked in a turnaround jump shot high off the glass giving NC State a 45-41 lead with 19:36 on the clock and the Wolfpack never looked back. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/6/mens-basketball-nc-state-downs-second-ranked-duke-96-85.aspx?path=mbball
While Duke narrowed the margin to three points, 61-58, with 12:56 remaining in the half the Wolfpack remained composed down the stretch. A pick 'n' roll between Allerik Freeman and Abu resulting in a thunderous Abu dunk to put NC State ahead by seven with 9:42 remaining, however Duke narrowed it to a three-point game with just 3:59 remaining. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/6/mens-basketball-nc-state-downs-second-ranked-duke-96-85.aspx?path=mbball
Beverly and Dorn's hot shooting late in the game ensured Duke did not cut into the score any further. Beverly knocked down a timely three-pointer with 2:46 left to play to which Duke answered with a pair of Marvin Bagley III free throws. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/6/mens-basketball-nc-state-downs-second-ranked-duke-96-85.aspx?path=mbball
Dorn's three with 2:02 on the clock followed by another pair of Beverly free throws with 1:47 saw the lead grow to nine, putting the game all but out of reach for Duke. Batts, Jr., iced the game with a pair of free throws of his own with 0:40 seconds left in the game giving NC State an 11-point lead and the 96-85 victory.t Conference win as NC State beat Duke at PNC Arena. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2018/1/6/mens-basketball-nc-state-downs-second-ranked-duke-96-85.aspx?path=mbball
As for Clemson's last game, they're coming off an overtime win against Louisville on Saturday January 6th.
It took a season-high 45 minutes, but Clemson University men’s basketball prevailed over Louisville 74-69 in overtime to improve to 3-0 in ACC play for the first time since the 2006-07 season and just the fifth time in program history. "according to http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=657841&SPID=103715&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=28500&ATCLID=211691609
Marcquise Reed led the way for the Tigers (14-1, 3-0 ACC) again with a game-high 24 points and a career-high five steals. Reed and Gabe DeVoe combined for 29 points in the second half to help push the Tigers past Louisville. DeVoe finished with 13 in the contest. "according to http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=657841&SPID=103715&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=28500&ATCLID=211691609
A low-scoring, high-paced affair ended tied 23-23 after the first stanza. "according to http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=657841&SPID=103715&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=28500&ATCLID=211691609
With the Cardinals (11-4, 1-1 ACC) holding a 30-25 advantage at the 16:13 mark of the second half, Clemson engineered a 17-4 run, which featured a Reed three, a thunderous throwdown from Donte Grantham and multiple free throws culminating in a 42-34 lead. "according to http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=657841&SPID=103715&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=28500&ATCLID=211691609
The last nine minutes of regulation would be a grind and the Cardinals pushed a 21-13 run to knot the game at 55-55. The Cards had a chance, but a Quentin Snider three fell off line as the buzzer sounded. "according to http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=657841&SPID=103715&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=28500&ATCLID=211691609
In overtime, the Tigers hit 11-of-14 free throws and got back-to-back dagger threes from DeVoe to seal the five-point victory. "according to http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=657841&SPID=103715&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=28500&ATCLID=211691609
Shelton Mitchell (13 points) and Elijah Thomas (12 points) rounded out the Tigers’ double-digit scorers. Thomas also grabbed 10 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season. "according to http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=657841&SPID=103715&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=28500&ATCLID=211691609
Grantham led the Tigers with 11 rebounds and chipped in six points in the effort. "according to http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=657841&SPID=103715&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=28500&ATCLID=211691609
Notes: Clemson improves to 14-1 on the season (best start since 2008-09) … the Tigers earned just their second win in seven tries against Louisville and its second in the last three contests … it marked the Tigers’ first home win as a nationally ranked team since a Jan. 13, 2010 win over No. 12 North Carolina (83-64) … with the win Brad Brownell tied Oliver Purnell for third on the all-time list of victories at Clemson (137) … also with the win the Tigers extended its win streak to 10 games … the Tigers have now started 3-0 for the fifth time in program history (1979-80; 1986-87; 1996-97; 2006-07; 2017-18) … of those previous seasons, the Tigers averaged 24 wins per year … Marcquise Reed finished with a career-high five steals … it was Reed’s fourth 20-point game of the season … Elijah Thomas collected his fifth double-double of the season … Donte Grantham grabbed double-digit rebounds for the fifth time this season. "according to http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=657841&SPID=103715&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=28500&ATCLID=211691609
Tip-off is set for 9:00pm from PNC Arena. The game will be televised on ESPN. "according to http://www.clemsontigers.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=28500&SPID=103715&SPSID=657833