NC State learned on Wednesday night that it is capable of playing as well as any ACC team and that nothing will be easy, especially against a team like Virginia. It was an agonizing struggle in the final stretch, but the group that was better for most of the night – and that was definitely the state – won.
You can’t stress a quick start in Charlottesville, and NC State started this off as a dream, smothering UVA defensively while dropping a high percentage offensively. The Pack carried a double-digit lead for much of the first half, although UVA retaliated – it is clear that UVA would retaliate.
After the Wahoos reduced the 24-10 State lead to 25-21, NC State scored the next four points with some good submissions from DJ Funderburk and Manny Bates; The state advantage in the range was 29-23.
Virginia’s difficulties with kicking the ball evaporated early in the second half, and Jericole Hellems lost Sam Hauser twice in the corner, resulting in UVA buckets.
Virginia finally got a two point lead with 14:30 to go, but given the current of the game, it never seemed like a dramatic turning point in the game. State scored the next eight points to regain control and would never again give up leadership.
Against good teams, it will reach both ends, and State has an excellent effort in both. The hot initial kick sustained the attack and created some scope for error, while the defense did nothing to help UVA while he struggled on the field.
The Pack’s defensive effort was noticeable, with the good goods far outweighing the bad. Kihei Clark became almost useless at that time, and as the state realized this, it became an easier problem to defend the Cavs, since Clark was trying to attack the perimeter more often.
UVA finished by just 7 to 25 in three, and there will always be luck involved in a number like that, but State has contested many of those pitches, and that matters. Sam Hauser only woke up in the second part; Jay Huff was only 1-6 out of three.
From start to finish, the consistent theme was the freshmen at NC State. Cam Hayes hit a straight three at the start of the first half to establish the Pack. Shakeel Moore left the bank and had an almost immediate impact, with several outstanding plays. This is becoming the norm for him. Dereon Seabron had some solid moves in the attack, but it was a critical part of the defensive performance tonight.
This is a very good victory, so let’s have an ice cream.