Pack NEEDS a Win Against GT

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. NC STATE Wolfpack

Game Time: 12 noon
Location: Raleigh, NC
Television:Raycom



The Pack can't let Georgia Tech get the best of them again. The Yellow Jackets and Paul Hewitt, who just beat NC State in the recruiting battle for star center Derrick Favors, square off again, this time on the hardwood. The Pack, who can't seem to close out games, look to change their fortune against a sloppy Georgia Tech team that sits below State in the ACC standings at 9-7. Turnovers have been the name of the game for both of these teams and unless one of them steps up and takes care of the ball, we are in for a sloppy match up.

The Pack players were given an ultimatum after their last loss to FSU; "Play hard, or don't play at all...no matter who you are." So if Sidney Lowe is true to his word, as we think he will be, then we will see a hard fought basketball game by the Wolfpack. Look to see more Julius Mays today as he seems to have taken the point guard duties and run with them.

Tech is led by senior guard Lewis Clinch and sophomore scoring forward Gani Lawal. Tech likes to play an athletic up tempo game, which the Pack needs to stop if they are going to take this one. One key to beating GT is applying pressure to freshman point guard Iman Shumpert. NC State has turnover problems, that is true, but it could be worse...we could have this guy. Shumpert, a 4 star freshman who hasn't lived up to the hype, is a turnover machine, averaging over 4 turnovers per game. But to his credit he also averages close to 6 assist per game. Another key for the Pack is to stop Lawal. While he's not a true dynamic scorer, Lawal is athletic and long, and if he gets going, like the queen bee, the rest of the Yellow Jackets are sure to follow. But, turn up the defensive heat today, and the Pack could finally walk away with an ACC victory.


RECORD
NC STATE- 9-5
GT- 9-7

LEADING SCORER-
NC STATE- Coster (14.1)
GT- Lawal (16.1)

LEADING REBOUNDER-
NC STATE- McCauley (7.7)
GT- Lawal (10.4)

ASSIST LEADER
NC STATE- Gonzalez (2.9)
GT- Shumpert (5.9)

FG%
NC STATE- 46.4%
GT- 45%

TEAM REBOUNDING
NC STATE- 38.1
GT- 42.6

TEAM TURNOVERS
NC STATE- 13.5
GT- 16.6