Opinion
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North Carolina State Wolfpack Set to Challenge Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Lawrence Joel

As the North Carolina State Wolfpack prepare to face off against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, fans are buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be an electrifying encounter. The upcoming clash at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum will test NCST's resolve and strategy, as they seek to maintain their momentum after a series of impressive performances.


Jan 28, 2023; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;   North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Greg Gantt (23) blocks the shot from Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward Bobi Klintman (34) during the first half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports

Looking back at NCST's recent games, it's clear that they have been on an upward trajectory. On December 23rd, in front of a home crowd at PNC Arena, the Wolfpack dominated Detroit Mercy Titans with a decisive 83-66 victory. Their offense was firing on all cylinders; shooting 50 percent from the field and converting 36 percent from beyond the arc. The team also showcased their defensive prowess by racking up 11 steals and limiting turnovers to just seven.


Just two days prior, against Saint Louis Billikens, NCST once again proved their mettle with an 82-70 win. Despite trailing in rebounds, they made up for it with efficient shooting (50 percent from both field goals and three-point range) and a remarkable ability to capitalize on turnovers – scoring 29 points off Billikens' mistakes.


Jan 28, 2023; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;  North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Terquavion Smith (0) shoots a runner between Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Damari Monsanto (30) and forward Andrew Carr (11) during the second half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports

However, not every game has been smooth sailing for NCST. A challenging encounter against Tennessee Volunteers on December 17th saw them fall short by nine points in a neutral setting. Despite matching Tennessee's three-point shooting percentage (44 percent), they were outrebounded and had fewer assists which contributed to their downfall.


As we turn our attention towards the upcoming game against WAKE, there are key factors that could tip the scales in favor of NCST. Their ability to convert fast break opportunities into points – as evidenced by their performance against Detroit Mercy where they scored 22 fast break points – will be crucial against WAKE’s defense.


Jan 28, 2023; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;   North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Terquavion Smith (0) throws up a runner against Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward Matthew Marsh (33) during the second half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports

Moreover, maintaining control over turnovers will be vital; NCST has shown that when they keep turnovers low and assist high (an assist-turnover ratio of 2.57 against Detroit Mercy), they can dictate the pace of play effectively.


On February 10th at precisely 4:00 PM EST in Winston-Salem’s Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum - this is where fans can witness whether NCST can continue its assertive playstyle or if WAKE will disrupt their rhythm. With national coverage provided by ACC Network on channel number six hundred twelve - supporters across the country won’t miss any action from this highly anticipated matchup.

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