Overview:
The table was set perfectly. Lenovo was packed and loud. The seating sections were striped in alternating red and white. Fans were twirling lighted ‘Howl Towels’. (should have been “Howell Towels”)
The Wolfpack badly needed a signature win and almost got it. They kept the score close the whole game, only had 7 turnovers, kept the rebounding within 2, no one got into foul trouble. A formula for success. The one thing they didn’t game plan for was Melvin Council Jr. A career 18.5% (5-27) 3PT shooter hit a career high 9-15 from 3PT and scored a career high 36pts. The Pack still had a shot to win it at the end of regulation, but Copeland’s jumper didn’t fall. And then at the end of overtime Darrion Williams had a rushed 3PT shot that didn’t fall. NC State falls to 7-4, another missed opportunity. And the Pack is running out of opportunities.
Overall Takeaways:
- The Pack played evenly with the #19 team in the country despite a poor shooting night
- Kansas is the 21st tallest team in the country, NC State won the offensive boards 11-10, and only lost the defensive boards 33-36.
- The Wolfpack won the points in the paint 38-32
- The Pack shot a respectable 47.5% inside the arc, but 26% from 3PT
Coach Wade Post Game Comments
Individual Highlights
- Quadir Copeland was the leading scorer with 19, he led assists with 6, and contributed 6 of the team’s 7 turnovers
- Darrion (“my wayward son”) Williams had a double-double with 17/10 plus 4 assists
- Ven Lubin gave us another double-double with 16/11 and had the Pack’s only 2 blocked shots
- Alyn Breed played 24 minutes, 5th on the team
Player Stats and Box Score
