Thursday, February 26, 2009
Game Preview: Pack Looking for a Deacon Sweep
NC STATE WOLFPACK vs. WAKE FOREST DEMON DEACONS
Game Time: 8pm
Location: Winston Salem, NC
Television: Raycom (ESPN 360)
A few weeks ago, when the Pack was sitting at a dismal 1-4 in conference play, if we would've told you that there was a serious chance that we could be playing into March, you'd of thought we were crazy. Well tonight State takes on Wake with a lot on the line. NC State has that chance to play in March and, with a hot streak here at the end of the season, they just might make good on that.
This week in practice the Pack has been hard at work, knowing good and well that Wake is going to, with their backs against the wall, apply some serious pressure on the ball. How can you replicate that type of intensity and athleticism in practice? Just leave that up to Sidney. Coach Lowe had the team running press breakers and offensive sets against a six man defense to try to duplicate the pressure Wake will be applying. The team responded well and feel ready to take on the Deacons and whatever they have to throw at them.
The Wolfpack have many reasons to feel good about themselves as they travel to Joel Coliseum. For one, the young guys are starting to step up. CJ Williams, Tracy Smith, and Javi Gonzalez have each led the team in scoring in one of the past three games. With Costner, McCauley, and Fells all hitting a relatively dry spell over the past few games, it's been the underclassman picking up their slack. Another reason is the play off the bench. Dennis Horner and CJ Williams have been major sparks off the bench as of late, providing scoring, defense, and intensity. And lastly, the play as of late. This Wolfpack team is coming off a good win against Virginia, a hard fought game against UNC, a beat down of the Yellow Jackets, and a gigantic win over the same Demon Deacons they face tonight.
So what are the keys to tonight's game? Focus and execution. The word is out on Wake Forest. They're beatable and there are plenty of examples showing just how to beat them. This Wake team likes to get out and run, but a packed in zone and ownage of the boards definitely handicaps Wake and forces them into an uncomfortable looking half court offense that they simply haven't been successful in all season. This State team knows they can beat Wake Forest, and they will have to if they want to end the season ensured of a spot in the coveted NCAA Tournament.
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4 Responses to "Game Preview: Pack Looking for a Deacon Sweep"Great pre game write up as usual. One really needs to recognize how big this win would be to a)fellas b) fans c) Coach Lowe (see, I read your post earlier about Lowe wanting this thing to go successful for others- but one must also realize how hard it is to beat a squad at WF that is so dynamic and always comes energized in front of the home crowd.
The best thing going for us is the match-up problems WF has against us defensively. When we don't TO the ball we are one of the best offenses in the ACC- seriously no joke. When we do --eh not so much. Problem for WF is that Teague and Smith are no great ball defenders- in fact at home Gonzalez seemed to man up all over Ish Smith and that spells trouble for Wolfpack opponents.
If you can bother our 1 and 2 guards enough they will become less a presence handling the ball and that in turn makes our bigs have to handle it too much = TO's. Does WF match up with our achilles our are the Wolfpack just a nighmare opponent for the Deacs? Alot will be known very shortly.. GO PACK!!!
Que?
thanks Jose! thanks for all your support and all your comments!
Ques pasa?
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