North Carolina State University
Chat: Pack upset Virginia 67-64
Published: 2012-03-09 11:08:00
Updated: 2012-03-09 17:00:34
Mar 9, 2012
Atlanta — The Wolfpack battled to an upset win over Virginia 67-64 and advance to the ACC semifinals Saturday to face North Carolina.
The Wolfpack battled to a lead in the first half and are keeping ahead of Virginia in the second. They lead Virginia, 55-47 with 7:36 to go in the game. CJ Leslie and Lorenzo Brown are carrying the team with a combined 28 points.
At the half CJ Leslie leads the Wolfpack with 10 points and six rebounds, they have a 36-33 lead over Virginia.
NC State is maintaining a lead over Virginia after fighting for the lead. They are ahead of the Wahoos by three with three remaining in the first half.
The Wolfpack came back from an early deficit to tie and pass Virginia in the first quarter at the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.
The Wolfpack need a win over the fourth-seeded Virginia Cavaliers to bolster their resume for the Big Dance.
2013 men's ACC interactive bracket
Preview: The fifth-seeded Wolfpack advanced to the quarterfinal round with a 78-57 win over Boston College on Thursday. NC State and Virginia squared off once this season. The Cavaliers edged the Wolfpack, 61-60, as they held off NC State's late run. Virginia held the lead for all but three minutes in the initial meeting.
Today's matchup in the 5/4 seed contest could very well be the determining factor for NC State's (21-11) destination after the ACC Tournament. Coach Mark Gottfried's team took care of business on Thursday as needed in their rout of Boston College. The Wolfpack made 43.3 percent of their field goal attempts and held a 43-35 advantage in the rebounding battle with the Eagles. NC State has had a potent offense this season which has produced the third best scoring offense in the conference with an average of 73.8 ppg.
The Wolfpack struggled offensively in their first bout with Virginia (22-8). That has been the case for most of the Cavaliers' opponents this season. Virginia is second in the nation in scoring defense, as it has held its opponents to only 53.2 ppg. The Cavs' opponents have managed to dish out only eight assists per game, which is also the second lowest average in the NCAA. Coach Tony Bennett's team lost a little steam down the stretch, as it allowed Florida State to score 63 points in a loss and Maryland to reach 72 points, in a contest UVA won in overtime. The Cavaliers are not a powerhouse offensively, as they net only 63 ppg.
NC State's Scott Wood appeared focused on Thursday. The junior forward had one of his best performances of the season as he scored a team-high 22 points after he knocked down 5-of-9 attempts from beyond the arc. The Wolfpack's sophomores Lorenzo Brown and C.J. Leslie will be vital to the team's success in the quarterfinal round. Leslie poured in 17 points to pace NC State in its first bout with Virginia. Brown's decision-making from the point guard position is going to be vital, as every possession will matter.
Virginia will look to their All-ACC First Team forward Mike Scott to push past the Wolfpack. Scott posted a game-high 18 points in the first matchup with NC State. The senior forward will be looking to cap off a remarkable career, as he enters as the ACC's active leader in points and rebounds. Joe Harris is second on the team in scoring after scoring in double figures 20 times this season. Senior guard Sammy Zeglinski is also playing in his final postseason for Virginia. His three-point shooting will play an x-factor for the Cavaliers if they hope to make a run.
Both sides would really benefit from a victory in this one. The hard-fought battle in the first meeting should seem familiar as the Cavaliers and Wolfpack duke it out once again. Although the game means more to NC State, Virginia's top-notch defense will give it a slight advantage if it can get back on track.
FACTS & STATS: Site: Philips Arena (18,729) -- Atlanta, Georgia Television: ESPN2, ACC Network. Home Record: NCST 13-6, UVA 13-3. Away Record: NCST 5-4, UVA 7-4. Neutral Record: NCST 3-1, UVA 2-1. Conference Record: NCST 9-7, UVA 9-7. Series Record: NC State leads, 80-58.
Game Date and Time
Friday, March 9, 2:00 p.m. (ET)
Predicted Outcome
Virginia 66, NC State 63
Every game of the ACC Tournament can be seen on WRAL as well as heard on 99.9 The Fan ESPN Radio and 620 AM The Buzz.
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Most Recent Comments
RE: Chat: Pack upset Virginia 67-64
^^^Tough luck Ed. 2-12 from the 3 land hurt UVA today. State didn't hit FT's, and they have to improve this against UNC. UNC is still fresh and strong legs.
This is why the top seeds work hard in the regular conference schedule. People think that the ACC tourney is the all big thing. Look at the seedings and you know one day saves energy and legs. Hope that the Hokies can shoot decently tonight. That's my worry. We had Duke on the ropes a short time ago, and let it slip. Hope it's a close one. Green and Hudson have to have huge games.
Congrat's to all State fans.
- Posted by Hokie 94
I have to admit, I'm a little nervous about tonights game. I think Duke will win, but it should be close. Most VT/Duke games are physical and come down to the wire. It will be interesting to see how we respond without Ryan Kelly. I think the x-factor is Andre Dawkins. In our biggest wins (UNC, Kansas, MSU, Michigan, FSU) Dawkins has had big games. He's disappeared in losses to Miami, Temple, and UNC the 2nd time. Im also looking forward to seeing how Michael Gbinije responds to his new playing time. I think he's a great athlete and probably should have played more this season.
Best of luck VT, go Duke!!!
That's both of us about being nervious. Last night was tough to watch. I had to walk the carpet a few times. Duke will miss Kelly, but they are pretty deep too. The start is the key for the Hokies. We need a solid beginning. Gain some confidence. This has been our nemesis in too many games. Losing 12-16 games by 5-1 points is tough for any team.
Good luck to both teams. No injuries to either team.
RE: Chat: Pack upset Virginia 67-64
^^^Tough luck Ed. 2-12 from the 3 land hurt UVA today. State didn't hit FT's, and they have to improve this against UNC. UNC is still fresh and strong legs.
This is why the top seeds work hard in the regular conference schedule. People think that the ACC tourney is the all big thing. Look at the seedings and you know one day saves energy and legs. Hope that the Hokies can shoot decently tonight. That's my worry. We had Duke on the ropes a short time ago, and let it slip. Hope it's a close one. Green and Hudson have to have huge games.
Congrat's to all State fans.
- Posted by Hokie 94
I have to admit, I'm a little nervous about tonights game. I think Duke will win, but it should be close. Most VT/Duke games are physical and come down to the wire. It will be interesting to see how we respond without Ryan Kelly. I think the x-factor is Andre Dawkins. In our biggest wins (UNC, Kansas, MSU, Michigan, FSU) Dawkins has had big games. He's disappeared in losses to Miami, Temple, and UNC the 2nd time. Im also looking forward to seeing how Michael Gbinije responds to his new playing time. I think he's a great athlete and probably should have played more this season.
Best of luck VT, go Duke!!!
The VT/Duke game should be a good one. VT plays tough, and they are so much better than their record. While Duke will miss Kelly, they have so many other weapons. Kelly was inconsistent, but teams always had to guard him because he was always a threat beyond the arc. And he's smart and experienced. I think Duke wins as well, but it should be another great game.
The legs will tell the tale tonight. This is why it is so important to get a top seed. The Hokies haven't quit all season, so I think they will give their all tonight. Seth coached a great game last night, and he obviously got Green's head back into the team/game. Hitting 17-20 FT's did it last night. UNC to win on Saturday.
RE: Chat: Pack upset Virginia 67-64
Go Pack! Ole Calvin! What else can I say? State has to do a better job at the free throw line to beat UNC! Henson will play. Roy does not want to lose against the PACK!
- Posted by Toddler10-21
I'm sure Williams doesn't want to lose to State, or Duke or whoever they may play but Roy will hold Henson out if he thinks he will jeopardize him for the NCAA's. That's his M. O. and I have to agree with it as much as I want to sweep State and get revenge on FSU or have the edge 2-1 on Duke...the NCAA is the bigger prize.
RE: Live chat: Pack upset Virginia 67-64
YO..YO...GO PACK...!!! Oh yea, keepin' it in North Carolina. Good ol' tobacco road b/ball...!!!! Come on DOOK we need you to step up now so's you can get ANOTHER good ol' fashion Tarheel woopin' out behind the woodshed.....!!!!
RE: Live chat: Pack upset Virginia 67-64
The PACK should be a #6 or #7 seed in the Big Dance. The win today punched their ticket. I see State making to the Sweet Sixteen or Elite 8.
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