Who: NC State Wolfpack
What: Big Ten - ACC Challenge
When: Tonight, 7:15pm ET
Where: RBC Center
TV: ESPN 2
Line: IU opened +1, have since moved to -1
The Scoop:
After a successful win against Butler at home Sunday evening, the Hoosiers will be on the road tonight for its first true road game against the NC State Wolfpack for the ACC/Big10 Challenge (I don’t consider IU’s trip to Evansville a true road game, since half the arena was filled with IU alumni and the Zeller bandwagon from a not-so-far away Washington, IN).
This game will be a true test to Indiana’s abilities and a fair gauge of how Indiana basketball may fare once conference play begins. NC State, sitting at 4-1 with one loss to #20 ranked Vanderbilt, proves to be a more evenly matched opponent. NC State’s field goal percentage, while may not be as high as Indiana’s, still ranks high among collegiate teams, with a .489 percentage.
In order to win, Indiana will need to have a more defensive mindset to stop the Wolfpack. IU’s rebounding has been dismal thus far, earning around 38 rebounds per game and averaging only 2.8 more rebounds than their opponents. However, the 74 deflections against Butler on Sunday showed strides are being made in the area of defense.
NC State has a larger pool of talent Indiana has not been exposed to yet this season. The Wolfpack’s starters CJ Leslie (who was predicted to enter the NBA draft after last season, but instead returned to NC State for another year), Scott Wood, and Richard Howell will be among the biggest threats on the court for the Hoosiers.
Leslie has only played three games this season due to violations for improper benefits, but has come out of the gates strong with a 63% field goal percentage. Leslie has a strong drive to the basket that the Hoosiers will need to contain to the outside to prevent him from penetrating the lane.
Wood, who sat out three games ago due to an ankle injury, has shown that when healthy he is a major threat from behind the three-point line. Wood shot 5-6 from behind the arc in their last game against Elon and 5-8 during their season opener against Morehead State. Howell is another threat for the Wolfpack, leading their rebounding efforts with an average 8.8 rebounds per game.
Keys to the Game:
If IU makes NC State play at their own pace and become more aggressive on the boards, IU will likely come out with another win for the Big 10. Indiana basketball is shooting very well right now, which will certainly be a challenge for NC State to stop.
Also check out what Coach Crean had to say about NC State -> Video
