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FSU Basketball: Noles look to sweep NC State Wolfpack

By Kelvin Hunt

Jan 13, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton (left) and North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Mark Gottfried share a laugh prior to a game at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton (left) and North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Mark Gottfried share a laugh prior to a game at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Noles men’s basketball team takes on the Wolfpack Monday night on ESPNU at the Tuck.

Game #22: Florida State (14-7, 4-5 ACC) vs. NC State (12-10, 2-7 SEC)

Where to Watch: 9:00 PM EST, ESPNU / WatchESPN /

Last Game:

Florida State: Win, 76-65 vs. Clemson (Jan. 30)

NC State: Win, 85-69 vs. #15 Miami (Jan. 30)

The Lowdown:

These teams matched up less than a month ago with both teams being winless in conference play at the time. The Noles were able to score a big road win 85-78 to stop a three game skid. It was the hot shooting of the Noles with four players scoring in double figures, being led by Malik Beasley with 22 points and Devon Bookert going (4-4) from long-range.

However, the Wolfpack scored a huge win over #15 Miami (85-69) Saturday, and will be looking to continue that momentum against the Noles on Monday night.

Jan 23, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Dwayne Bacon (4) shoots the ball during the second half of the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Dwayne Bacon (4) shoots the ball during the second half of the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /

The Wolfpack are largely dependent upon point guard “Cat” Barber to get carry their offense as he dropped 30 on the Hurricane’s. He’s the only player that can consistently drive the lane and create opportunities for other players.

The Noles will have to contain him and do a better job on the boards, as NC State was able to win that battle gobbling up 20 offensive rebounds last month. Fortunately, the Noles were able to hold the Wolfpack to 37.5 percent shooting and 26.9 percent from long-range.

The Noles will need to continue to shoot the ball well as they did against Clemson on Saturday. The Noles shot 50 percent overall and 52.9 percent from long-range and still only managed to win the game by seven points last month. The Noles will also need to be physical down low while boxing out the likes of Abdul-Malik Abu and Beejay Anya, who accounted for almost half of the Wolfpack’s offensive rebounds last time out.

Also for the love of God, the Noles need to shoot better at the free throw line too.

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Prediction:

The Noles are the deeper team and that depth should be a benefit with Monday’s game being a quick turnaround from Saturday. These are the type of games that Leonard Hamilton and company must win to make the NCAA tournament.

The Noles opened as six point favorites with the line now standing at six and a half.

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