Mar 21, 2015

3/21/2015 08:52:00 PM
Now the tourney is in full swing as the first of maybe a couple of more #1 seeds will go down as the Villanova Wildcats with a robust 34-3 W-L bites the dust losing in the round of 32 to the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

How did Carolina Red do it on the defensive end holding all those snipers from 'Nova to 9 for 28 from deep for a 32% clip. Couple that with NC. State leading from the 1:48 mark in the 1st half until the the clock hit zeroes in the 2nd half shows you the composure of State.

After leading 32-28 after one the "Pack" went up by as many as a dozen 45-33 at the thirteen minute mark. To 'Nova's Credit they made a few runs but none of them were runs that led to leads which was key. It came down to State hitting free throws (20-27 FT) late and executing on both ends of the hardwood that send Jay Wright's Bunch back to Philly!

N.C. State's front line took full advantage of 'Nova playing undersized in and around the paint. Both "Pack" Forwards Lennard Freeman and Abdul-Malik Abu combined for 24 points and just as many rebounds as 'Nova Guard Darrun Hilliard kept the 'Cats afloat with a game-high 27 points including 6 for 10 from deep.

N.C. State Guards in 'Bama transfer Trevor Lacey (Huntsville, Alabama Butler Product) had 17 points  and six boards with former Big Mac All-American Anthony Barber (Hampton, VA HS) 13 points both matching the 'Cats outstanding guard play. "Pack" lead man Mark Gottfried came with it and they get it done.

N.C. State now moves to the Sweet 16 where they will play the winner of Northern Iowa/Louisville in Syracuse...

0 comments: