NC State 72
Rider 63
Can we say ‘survive and advance’ in the Old Spice Classic and get away with it?
* State shot 70% from the free throw line but it didn’t feel like it as the Pack started 15 of 16 and then finished that game by shooting 8 of 17.
* At the half the three point shooting was as follows:
Rider: 6 for 10
State: 0 for 8
* But, State shot 5 of 6 from behind the line in the second half. More importantly, both Farnold DeGand AND Javi Gonzalez hit wide open threes that they are going to HAVE to hit this year if the Wolfpack is to be successful.
* Courtney Fells was clearly the player of the game.
* Trevor Ferguson played a few minutes in the first half and didn’t do much to impress. The Rider player that Ferguson was guarding immediately drained a three pointer; Ferguson missed both of his wide open three point attempts in the first half.
* Dennis Horner saw no action on Thursday. It will be interesting to see if Horner can replace Ferguson’s minutes.
* Next up – Dave Odom’s South Carolina Gamecocks on Friday at 10:30am.
BJD did some live blogging during the uneventful game –
19-13 Rider, and we look even worse today. Started McCauley, did not provide mojo.
3:00 – Evidently, a tighter rotation means Fergie plays while Horner sits. I really, really don’t get it. He’s actually playing at the same time as Javi and Fells, which is baffling beyond words.
3:04 – No Grant, no Hickson. Wow, is that a shitty lineup. Have scored 2 points in like 6 minutes.
3:06 – Rider by nine. Remember the Hindenberg? You are watching the hoops equivalent.
Halftime – Sid needs to peel some paint in the locker room. This shit is completely unacceptable. Rider 31, NC State 28.
4:04 – Second half is much, much better. Pack by 7, Fells at the line for 2. Still plenty of time to choke, UNO style.
