The Miami Hurricanes head to North Carolina State for the second meeting with the Wolfpack this season. The Hurricanes had a two game winning streak ended by Florida State on Wednesday night at the Watsco Center.
The loss was Miami’s second at home this season. Notre Dame ended a 21 game home court winning streak by the Hurricanes last month. Miami continued second half struggles in conference play against the Seminoles. Florida State outscored Miami 44-23 in the final 20 minutes.
Ja’Quan Newton, Davon Reed and Freshman Bruce Brown continue to score the majority of Miami’s points. The trio combined for 41 of Miami’s 57 points in the 75-57 loss Wednesday night.
Miami and North Carolina State previously met in the ACC opener on New Year’s Eve at the Watsco Center. The Hurricanes doubled a nine point halftime lead in the second half on their way to an 81-63 victory.
Newton lead Miami with 21, Reed had 20 and Brown 17. Kamari Murphy also finished in double figures with 11. The Hurricanes shot 47.7 percent from the floor and held NC State to 38.9 percent. The Wolfpack did make 10 of their 23 three-point attempts. Miami was also dominant on the boards with a 41-33 advantage.
Lack of scoring outside the big three and turnovers have plagued Miami all season. In the last meeting, the Hurricanes committed only eight turnovers against the Wolfpack. If they can keep the turnovers down and dominate the rebounding, they should be in the game late.
North Carolina State has great balance with five players averaging in double figures. They are led by freshman sensation Dennis Smith Jr. Smith averages 18.7 points per game, 6.9 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals. He is listed as the consensus fourth pick in the NBA draft in June according to NBADraft.Net.
Junior Abu-Malik Abu is a load inside. He averages 12.1 PPG and 7.3 RPG. Murphy will likely be matched up with him. Terry Henderon, Maverick Rowan, and Torin Dorn round out the Wolfpack’s primary scorers.
NC State will challenge the Hurricanes on the defensive end. They rank 31st nationally averaging 81.7 PPG. They are weak on the defensive end. The Wolfpack allows 78.7 PPG which ranks 308th in the country.
Setting the Scene
Date: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: PNC Arena | Raleigh, N.C.
-/rv Miami Hurricanes (14-7, 4-5 ACC)
Head Coach: Jim Larrañaga
Record at Miami: 132-64, sixth season
ACC Record at Miami: 58-39
Career Record: 602-398, 33rd season
NC State Wolfpack (14-9, 3-7 ACC)
Head Coach: Mark Gottfried
Record at NCST: 122-78, sixth season
Career Record: 400-233, 20th season
Broadcasts
TV: ACC Network – Justin Kutcher, Dan Bonner
Affiliates: http://theacc.co/mbb17accn0204a
In Florida: Fort Myers-Naples – CW, Gainesville – ABC, Jacksonville – IND, Miami-Fort Lauderdale – My Network TV, Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne – My Network TV, Panama City – This TV, Tallahassee-Thomasville – FOX, Tampa-St. Petersburg (Sarasota) – CW, West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce – CW
Radio: 560 WQAM – Joe Zagacki
Internet: ACC Network Extra – http://es.pn/2jehf39
Series
All-time: 9-12
Since rebirth in 1985-86: 9-11
Home: 5-4
Away: 2-7
Neutral: 2-1
Under Coach Larrañaga: 5-5
Coach L all-time vs. NC State: 5-6
Current streak: Miami won 1.
Last matchup: Dec. 31, 2016. Miami won, 81-63.
Last NC State win: Jan. 30, 2016. NC State def. No. 15/13 Miami, 85-69.
Polls
Miami – AP: NR / USA Today: RV (19) / NCAA RPI: 66 / KenPom: 44
NC State – NR/NR / NCAA RPI: 67 / KenPom: 88
Next: Miami Succumbs to FSU After Another Poor 2nd Half
Next Game: Miami returns home for a meeting with Virginia Tech. This will be key game for the NCAA tournament committee. Buzz Williams has his team playing well. The Hokies are 16-6, 5-5 and will be well rested with a week off. They were routed by instate rival Virginia 71-48 Wednesday night.