NC State men’s basketball team will host Liberty on Wednesday night at the Lenovo Center. The game, set to tip off at 7 p.m., will be broadcast on the ACC Network. Fans can also listen to the match through the Wolfpack Sports Network, featuring commentators Matt Chazanow and Chucky Brown.
Pack Notes: Recent Performance
NC State enters the matchup with a record of 6-3 following a 75-63 victory against UNC Asheville. The team dominated the paint, scoring 40 points compared to the Bulldogs’ 14. They also recorded assists on 21 of their 28 field goals made during that game.
Player Highlights
- Ven-Allen Lubin: The standout forward contributed a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. He has scored in double figures for six consecutive games.
- Quadir Copeland: Averaging 21 points, 5.7 assists, and 2.3 steals over his past three games, he recorded a season-high eight assists against UNC Asheville.
- Tre Holloman: Shooting 54.5% from beyond the arc, he leads the conference in three-point shooting among players making 1.5 or more attempts per game.
Team Statistics and Rankings
NC State ranks highly in several key areas:
- 3rd in scoring: 89.2 points per game
- 2nd in field goal percentage: 50%
- 1st in three-point percentage: 39.8%
- 3rd in free throw percentage: 77.0%
Despite their strong performance, the NC State bench has struggled, contributing only 16 total points in the last two games. In contrast, the starting lineup averages 69.7 points per game.
Foul Trouble Concerns
NC State leads the ACC in fouls, averaging over 20 per game. This foul differential has resulted in opponents receiving 27 more free throw attempts in recent games. The team needs to reduce fouling to improve their outcomes in close matches.
Liberty Flames: A Challenging Opponent
The Liberty Flames, currently ranked 104th in the NET, are a formidable team, especially in three-point shooting. They rank 4th in the nation with a 43.1% three-point percentage. Brett Decker Jr. leads the country, averaging 4.63 three-pointers per game.
NC State looks to continue its history of success against Liberty. In their previous two encounters, NC State emerged victorious, including a notable 94-60 win in 2004 led by Julius Hodge’s 27 points.
Upcoming Match Significance
This matchup against Liberty represents a pivotal moment for both teams. As NC State aims to solidify their standing in the conference, they must tackle the Flames’ impressive shooting capabilities while capitalizing on their strengths in the paint and overall scoring.
