North Carolina State University
Handling pace a key in State's game against Clemson
By Ryan Craig Mar 11, 2010
On paper, Thursday's matchup between N.C. State and Clemson might seem like a blowout in the making.
After all, the Tigers enter the contest as the sixth seed in this weekend's ACC Tournament in Greensboro, while the Pack takes the court as the 11th-place team in the conference.
Looks, however, can be deceiving.
With wins in three out of their last four games, Sidney Lowe's team enters the postseason playing some of its best basketball of the season, while Clemson shows up following a Sunday night loss to Wake Forest.
In fact, the teams' only meeting this season, a 73-70 Clemson win in Raleigh, suggests that this game may be decided by one or two possessions.
Efficiency will be vital, and when you play the Tigers, your ability to maximize efficiency goes hand in hand with the ability to handle their pressure.
"We play our best when we're attacking," Clemson head coach Oliver Purnell said Wednesday after his team's practice at Greensboro Coliseum. "That doesn't mean we can't play well or win when we aren't...but we want to look to attack on both ends of the floor."
As is always the case at the ACC Tournament, both teams have gotten a chance to play against the other in the regular season. And, as you might expect, both came away with a feeling for how to curtail what the other does best.
"They're used to playing in their comfort zone." said Clemson guard Demontez Stitt. "They're not used to playing at our pace. Not a lot of teams are used to playing at the pace that we play. We practice how we play, so we're used to playing at that pace. With them, speeding them up and not letting them stay in their comfort zone - I think that's the biggest thing."
"[In January] In the first half we were a little timid, and we allowed their pressure to affect us," N.C. State guard Farnold Degand admitted. "We started to attack their pressure a lot more in the second half...and we got a lot of results out of that, so I think that's going to be part of the game plan [Thursday].
State has made it part of its goal to play at a faster pace this year, but the Pack knows it's probably not in its best interest to get into a sprinting match with Clemson.
"We don't mind pushing the ball up ourselves," said N.C. State assistant coach Monte Towe Wednesday. "We want to get the rebound or get the ball off a steal or turnover and push it. But in general I think we'd like to play a little bit slower than them. They'd probably like a little bit higher scoring game, but we need to make sure we get into our sets and execute. I think when we're running our sets and executing, we're really hard to cover, and we want to make sure we take advantage of that."
When State runs out of the tunnel at 9:30pm Thursday night, it could be for the last time this season.
While Clemson has an NCAA Tournament bid locked up in all likelihood, State has to hope for a four-game winning streak just to go dancing in March - a reality not lost on the team.
"We're looking forward to the challenge [Thursday]," Towe said. We hope our guys will play with a lot of poise and a lot of confidence and hopefully go out there and win a basketball game."
"Survive and advance, that's what we're here to do."
Copyright 2012 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Most Recent Comments
RE: Handling pace a key in State's game against Clemson
GoPACK- with a few wins-we can make the NIT-that is still a fun trip if you can get to the Big Apple. I'd rather do that than sit an cry over spilled milk.
I know of a good coach down in Charleston. He loves the ACC and would love to finish his career back in the ACC. If Sidney fails, Bobby Cremins is a great coach. I'll bet he could move the Pack forward.
- Posted by cwood3
Its gonna happen because he is at the ending of his coaching career. Since he is a NY city coach maybe St. John is his best fit.
RE: Handling pace a key in State's game against Clemson
GoPACK- with a few wins-we can make the NIT-that is still a fun trip if you can get to the Big Apple. I'd rather do that than sit an cry over spilled milk.
I know of a good coach down in Charleston. He loves the ACC and would love to finish his career back in the ACC. If Sidney fails, Bobby Cremins is a great coach. I'll bet he could move the Pack forward.
RE: Handling pace a key in State's game against Clemson
The Pack has played pretty well lately. If they can have good guard play, I see them winning this one.
RE: Handling pace a key in State's game against Clemson
first WRAL should be pro State as the station is across Western Blvd from the campus. a local media organization not supporting the home team would be sad.
if State has made an effort to play more up-tempo they have failed. the last time State played Clemson using their micro-managed slow temp inside out game, State was behind by 20 by the end of the first half.
RE: Handling pace a key in State's game against Clemson
you can "finds good spot" in the ocean
- Posted by Rdi73162
you can find alot of D-Bags and Thugs in dean dome too....and alot of empty seats as well.....hehehehehehe.
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