RALEIGH — The NC State men’s basketball team experienced a significant turnaround on Tuesday, securing a victory against No. 18 Clemson on the road. This win served to counterbalance a disappointing home loss to Georgia Tech just days prior. With a current record of 13-6 and standing at 4-2 in the ACC, NC State is now setting its sights on a matchup against Pittsburgh, scheduled for Saturday in the Steel City, where they aim to maintain their perfect conference road performance.
Challenges await the Wolfpack as they prepare to face off against the Panthers, who have had a challenging season under head coach Jeff Capel. With Pittsburgh struggling to find its footing, Capel’s seat is getting warmer, making this game crucial for both sides. The Panthers have had an inconsistent showing, ranking 87th in adjusted offensive efficiency and 120th in adjusted defensive efficiency according to KenPom. Pittsburgh’s game style is deliberate, averaging 19.4 seconds per possession, which ranks as the 340th slowest in the country. However, NC State has demonstrated that it can handle a slower-paced, grind-it-out style, as evidenced by their recent victory over Clemson.
Currently, the Panthers rank 17th in the ACC in scoring, collecting an average of just 72.7 points per game. Leading the team is sophomore guard Brandin Cummings, who contributes 13.6 points per game, while senior forward Cameron Corhen presents a size challenge at 6-foot-10, averaging 12.7 points and 8.0 rebounds. Defensively, Pittsburgh places just behind NC State in points allowed per game, giving up an average of 70.7.
For NC State to effectively compete against Pittsburgh, the game plan will hinge on their aggressive style. The Wolfpack’s penchant for high-pressure defense could exploit Pittsburgh’s turnover issues, as the Panthers rank among the bottom teams in the conference with an average of 10.8 turnovers per game. Coupled with the ability of players like Darrion Williams to shoot from beyond the arc, NC State may have a decisive edge. Opponents have been able to exploit Pittsburgh’s 3-point defense, which places at 243rd in the nation, allowing 35.1% shooting from deep.
As the Wolfpack embarks on this crucial road trip, they are also keeping a close eye on the impending winter storm that may complicate their travel plans. The threat of adverse weather has led to rescheduling the game, now set to air on ESPNU instead of its original ESPN2 slot, as other ACC games were realigned to avoid potential delays or cancellations.
In a season characterized by ups and downs, NC State appears poised to strengthen its position in the conference with a solid performance against Pittsburgh. By capturing this road victory, the Wolfpack can continue building momentum towards a successful season and potentially secure a spot in the ACC Tournament later on.