A short list of priority points to keep in mind for Wednesday's North Carolina at N.C. State basketball game (9 p.m.) in the RBC Center.
Carolina, 20-6 overall, 10-2 ACC after Saturday's 48-46 win over Boston College, won the first meeting of the season, 84-64 on Jan. 29 in Chapel Hill.
The Wolfpack (14-12, 4-8) is coming off an 87-80 loss at Maryland on Sunday.
PACK TO-DOS
Say something!: This State team hasn't made any sort of an on-court statement yet.
Forget about the coaching speculation and what might or might not change in the weeks ahead, the Wolfpack just needs to start focused, stay focused and make a stand.
The Tar Heels were up 34-21 at the break in Chapel Hill and the Pack has had a tendency to watch and wait in the first halves of games all season, although that wasn't the case Sunday against the Terps.
It's a 40-minute race, not 20-25 minutes. State can't forget that.
Deny John Henson: The guy's shooting 39 percent on free throws, so keep a body on him all night and don't be afraid to put him on the line.
Among C.J. Leslie, Tracy Smith, DeShawn Painter, Rich Howell (if he's good to go) and even Jordan Vandenberg if needed, State's got a lot of fouls to spend if needed.
Mix in some zone: Dexter Strickland is shooting 27 percent and Harrison Barnes 32 percent on 3-point attempts. Sub Leslie McDonald (37 percent) is more a concern.
But when in the zone, the Pack has to box out Henson, Barnes and Tyler Zeller. Boxing out has been State's biggest problem in zones all season.
HEELS TO-DOS
Make Leslie work: Of late, the State freshman has been more effective on defense, but he's never going to meet anyone's definition of a big-time stopper.
In open spaces and a few minutes into each half, Leslie is apt to loose track of his responsibilities.
Attack: Against Boston College on Saturday and earlier at Duke, Duke and Miami, the Heels eased off the accelerator just when the opponents were at the brink of inescapable deficits.
Chop Wood: Although Leslie has become more of a perimeter threat, Scott Wood is the only established Pack weapon on 3-pointers.
UNC defenders Harrison Barnes, Reggie Bullock, Justin Watts and Dexter Strickland can't let Wood go on a binge.
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Comments
Sad day for ACC BB
Tue, 02/22/2011 - 13:21 — SurferHere we are on the brink of what used to be a timeless battle, UNC vs State in bb. Yet a day or so away and alot of the discussion around the triangle is still about NASCAR and the Daytona 500. Most State fans are ignoring this one like the plague, but I tell ya, if State wins this one (and they have a chance if UNC leaves the door open) the chatter will be endless and Sid pulls one nail out of the coffin.
I'm predicting
Mon, 02/21/2011 - 14:02 — gvillegatrA state run in the 1st half and going up 10 pts at home. UNC hasn't allowed this in a few weeks, but bc of the opponent and what it means to state, I think they'll come out smokin' hot. It'll be up to UNC to fight back and we know they can.
Interpretation
Mon, 02/21/2011 - 13:47 — Surfergood points
Mon, 02/21/2011 - 17:11 — JPDOhioHack-a-Henson night means we'll see Painter and Vandenberg in the game with a plan. Problem is both of those guys can get to 4 fouls in less than 2 minutes, leaving an awful lot of game to be played with UNC in the bonus.
Zone = Pylon defense at NC State. You don't have to be a graduate of the Math or Statistics department to know that one.
If UNC is due for a good shooting night, they picked the right venue. In a shooting slump? A game against the Wolfpack is like Grandma's chicken soup to a cold. Rumor has it that Coach K is trying to schedule a bonus game with the Pack before the ACC tourney to get Singler going again.
Seriously, if State plays defense like it did against Clemson, it has a chance to win. We also need to have Richard Howell available, otherwise UNC's bigs will have a field day. Howell's offensive production is not quite where CJ's is, but he is a much better defender and can rebound.
Howell ...
Mon, 02/21/2011 - 11:44 — ct1234Howell took an elbow to head at Maryland. Status for Wednesday not certain quite yet. Will post an update
c. tudor
Thanks
Mon, 02/21/2011 - 12:01 — JPDOhioThanks.
Howell-"If he is good to go"
Mon, 02/21/2011 - 11:12 — JPDOhioMeaning?