The NC State men’s basketball team is set to host Liberty on Wednesday night at the Lenovo Center, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on the ACC Network, providing fans with a chance to catch the action either on their screens or through the Wolfpack Sports Network, featuring commentary from Matt Chazanow and Chucky Brown.
After a recent victory against UNC Asheville, the Wolfpack improved their record to 6-3. In that game, NC State showcased impressive dominance in the paint, outscoring the Bulldogs 40-14. Ven-Allen Lubin played a crucial role, recording a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Remarkably, Lubin shot a perfect 9-for-9 from the field in the second half, contributing 19 of his 23 points during that period. His recent performance has been outstanding, averaging 19.3 points over the last three games, and he currently leads the ACC and ranks 11th nationally in field goal percentage at 67.6%.
The Wolfpack has been prolific offensively, ranking third in the ACC in scoring with an average of 89.2 points per game and boasting a field goal percentage of 50%. Their three-point shooting is particularly notable, leading the conference at 39.8%. NC State’s scoring depth is highlighted by the fact that five different players have scored over 20 points in a game this season, with four players achieving this feat multiple times.
Quadir Copeland’s recent form adds to the team’s offensive capabilities; he recorded a season-high eight assists against UNC Asheville and has been averaging 21 points in the last three games while shooting 62.9% from the field. Tre Holloman has also been effective from beyond the arc, maintaining a 54.5% three-point shooting percentage, which is the best among ACC players taking 1.5 or more attempts per game.
As NC State prepares for Liberty, which has a 6-2 record and ranks fourth in the nation for three-point shooting at 43.1%, there are several key storylines to watch. The Wolfpack currently sits at 42nd in the NET rankings, with their recent games providing them opportunities to bolster their standing against teams with high NET ratings. The Flames, who are currently positioned at 104 in the NET, are expected to pose a challenge, particularly given the Pack’s struggles with fouling, currently leading the ACC in fouls committed.
Historically, NC State has been dominant against non-conference opponents at home, recording a 71-3 record since the 2016-17 season. However, their bench performance has been a concern, with a significant decrease in points scored over recent games.
Moreover, NC State’s ability to control the boards will be crucial, as they have shown they perform better when they out-rebound their opponents. The Wolfpack is averaging nearly 35 points in the paint per game and has secured 40 or more paint points in four of their nine games this season.
As for Liberty, their offensive strategy heavily revolves around three-point shooting, making them a formidable opponent. The Wolves will need to tighten their perimeter defense after allowing an average of 12.3 three-pointers per game over the last four matchups.
This meeting will mark only the third all-time encounter between NC State and Liberty, with the Wolfpack winning the previous two matchups. The last meeting took place on December 11, 2004, where NC State secured a decisive 94-60 victory, led by notable performances from Julius Hodge. As the teams gear up for this promising matchup, both will be looking to capitalize on their strengths and learn from the challenges of their early-season performance.
