Conference play leaves little time to dwell on the previous because the Virginia Cavaliers (11-2, 0-1) look to flush away what was an exciting, and all-around disgusting triple-overtime loss in Blacksburg. The ’Hoos journey south to Raleigh on (*21*) to tackle an NC State (10-4, 1-0) staff that’s using excessive on a three-game profitable streak, most not too long ago beating Wake Forest 70-57 on New Year’s Eve.
Tipoff is about for 11 AM from the Lenovo Center in Raleigh. ESPN2 can have the published.
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The Wolfpack is led by star ahead Darrion Williams, who entered the 2025-26 season because the ACC preseason Player of the Year after being one of the highly-touted guys all through portal season. Williams has been up and down as of late, averaging 14.2 factors per game on the yr, however has scored double-digit factors simply as soon as up to now 5 video games and has mixed for less than 9 up to now two video games towards Wake and Ole Miss. Will Wade was not too long ago requested whether or not or not he was involved about Williams’ lack of scoring, to which he delivered one of many higher rants you’ll discover wherever:
The Wolfpack owns one of many highest scoring offenses within the ACC, averaging 87 factors per game, the identical because the
’Hoos. Defensively, issues haven’t been as strong, however nonetheless serviceable, with Wade’s bunch surrendering 71 factors per evening, although they held their final two opponents properly beneath that common.
This ought to be a enjoyable one. Here are two keys and a prediction because the ’Hoos eye what might form up as an enormous road win come March.
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Two Keys
Defend the 3-point line
Duh, after all. The Wolfpack shoots the three particularly properly, although. Through 14 video games, Wade’s staff ranks first within the ACC in three-point share (39%) with 5 gamers averaging 40 p.c or higher from deep. Paul McNeil has been particularly strong, nailing eight of his final 17 makes an attempt. He even drilled 11 threes in a game versus Texas Southern in December en path to a 47-point evening. Quadir Copeland is one other succesful shooter for the ’Pack, although his makes an attempt stay low with solely 24; he’s remained environment friendly, making 13 of them — sufficient to earn the respect of defenses.
The ’Hoos defended the three properly sufficient to win towards the Hokies, holding Tech to 9-of-28 from lengthy vary in 55 minutes of game time, however have been in the end unable to muster sufficient factors of their very own. (*21*) ought to be an amazing barometer to inform us simply how properly the ’Hoos can defend from deep going ahead towards extra gifted squads in league play.
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Limit second probabilities
The ’Hoos have been one of many higher rebounding groups within the nation thus far, although that was onerous to imagine whereas watching the Tech game.
Tech helped itself to 22 second-chance factors on 20 offensive rebounds and gained the battle on the boards by six in whole. Limiting the same efficiency for the ’Hoos begins with being the aggressor within the paint and the guards not getting beat off the bounce and needing assist from the shot-blockers across the hoop, hindering their potential to dam out opposing bigs proper across the rim.
NC State’s high two rebounders, Ven-Allen Lubin and Williams, stand at 6-foot-9 and 6-foot-6, respectively, so the ’Hoos can have the clear top benefit within the frontcourt with seven-footers Johann Grunloh and Ugonna Onyenso occupying the paint. State’s general rebounding ranks within the backside half of the ACC, whereas UVA sits lifeless final in offensive rebounds allowed. With a considerable top benefit, the ’Hoos must capitalize and restrict the Wolfpack to ‘one and done’ possessions.
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The Hokies feasted on the boards by merely having extra numbers proper across the bucket at occasions and towards a staff like NC State that likes to hunt threes, one other dangerous offensive rebounding efficiency may very well be particularly expensive.
Prediction
UVA and NC State are mirror photographs of one another in offensive stats, each within the high 5 within the ACC in factors per game, three-point capturing, and general capturing effectivity. I doubt we see 40 minutes like no matter it was that unfolded in Blacksburg. There shall be loads of factors on this game and greater than sufficient three pointers, that’s for certain. With two groups so evenly matched from these views, it’ll be the small performs that show massive ultimately. I feel UVA’s offensive rebounding steals simply sufficient additional possessions to tug the win. Give me the ’Hoos in one other barn burner, by a bucket.
Prediction: ’Hoos 79, Wolfpack 77