HOKIES HOOPS CENTRAL: Virginia Tech (10-7) at NC State (13-4) 12PM CW Network

HOKIES HOOPS CENTRAL: Virginia Tech (10-7) at NC State (13-4) 12PM CW Network

Gameday in Raleigh 💪🆚 NC State🕛 12PM ET📺 The CW🏟️ PNC Arena#StoneByStone x #Hokies pic.twitter.com/e7F8LJah9M— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) January 20, 2024

Virginia Tech (10-7)
at NC State (13-4)
January 20th, 2024
PNC Arena
12 p.m. ET
CW Network
Virginia Tech Sports Network

Local Radio
Virginia Tech Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Zach Mackey
Analyst: Mike Burnop

Current Spread: NC State -4.5
Over/Under: -147.5

Be Prepared for the Turnovers
Apologies up front but taking care of my dad after spinal surgery has taken most of my free time.

NC State is 5-1 in ACC play and a very deep and experienced team. The athleticism alone likely makes this an extremely ugly contest for the Hokies. They just don't have the speed to be able to contend with Horne and Taylor.

Wahoos Backcourt
DJ Horne
0 SR G 6-1 175
15.1 Pts, 3.5 Reb, 2.8 Ast

Jayden Taylor
1 JR G 6-4 190
12.1 Pts, 3.8 Reb, 1.3 Ast

Casey Morsell
14 SR G 6-3 196
11.3 Pts, 2.9 Reb, 1.6 Ast

Dennis Parker, Jr.
11 FR G 6-6 205
6.8 Pts, 4.3 Reb, 0.5 Ast

Michael O'Connell
12 SR G 6-2 180
4.6 Pts, 2.7 Reb, 3.0 Ast

MJ Rice 3
SO G 6-5 215 Durham, NC
4.1 Pts, 1.9 Reb, 0.1 Ast

Wahoos Frontcourt
D.J. Burns
30 SR F 6-9 260
12.4 Pts, 4.3 Reb, 2.8 Ast

Ben Middlebrooks
34 JR F 6-10 225
5.9 Pts, 4.1 Reb, 0.5 Ast

Mohamed Diarra
23 SR F 6-10 215
4.4 Pts, 5.8 Reb, 0.1 Ast

What to expect from NC State?
NC State forces 14 turnovers a game and that number is closer to 17 at home. They convert those to 12 points a game on average. I expect that to remain the same against the Hokies unfortunately.

Expect high tempo play, looking to beat the Hokies to the basket before their half court defense is set.
NC State is not a stellar shooting team so that plays a factor in some of their closer games. They are shooting 33% from the perimeter on 22 attempts per game. Shooting outside is not their priority. They outscore opponents in the paint by almost 12 points per contest.

The Wolfpack will alternate between a three guard two forward set and a four guard one forward set. I would expect them to spend more time with two forwards against the Hokies to dominate inside.

The Hokies
Even with Cattoor back, Pedulla was still pressing and when that happens, he is sloppy with the basketball. He had 7 of the teams 15 turnovers, leading to lost opportunities.
T
he Hokies had zero interior game against UVA and are going up against a much more formidable interior duo of Burns and Middlebrooks in this game.

The only way the Hokies win this game if their turnover problem doesn't change is to play close out defense on the perimeter and prevent easy dribble penetration baskets. This would be a great game to play some zone but Young refuses to do that.

In Closing
Road game against a team that forces turnovers and has the ability to dominate in the paint. The Hokies might surprise us if they can play better defense than recent play but otherwise be prepared for a curse laden afternoon.