North Carolina State enjoyed a break after one of its most impressive outings and should be refreshed for Saturday afternoon’s Atlantic Coast Conference game against Georgia Tech in Raleigh, N.C.
The Wolfpack (12-5, 3-1 ACC) have been off since last Saturday’s 113-69 romp at Florida State that marked the largest margin for a conference road victory in program history. NC State knocked down 19 3-pointers, including seven consecutive makes during one stretch.
The gap in the schedule might have worked out well for the Wolfpack, who have won five of their last six games.
“You don’t get many breaks in the conference season, and so we want to make sure that we get some guys healthy,” NC State coach Will Wade said.
Darrion Williams had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the Florida State game.
“It’s good to see him be aggressive,” Wade said, referring to Williams’ role as a point forward in the Wolfpack’s offense. “It forces him to have the ball.”
Georgia Tech (10-8, 1-4) will arrive on a three-game losing streak that includes a miserable 89-66 home setback to Pitt on Wednesday night.
“We’ve got to be a desperate team,” Georgia Tech coach Damon Stoudamire said.
That means from the opening tip-off.
“Every game we’re putting ourself in a hole,” Yellow Jackets swingman Kam Craft said. “We can’t start out like that and expect to win in this league.”
Georgia Tech has shown versatility on offense, posting 11 games with four players scoring in double figures.
Craft’s 14 points against Pitt marked his high in an ACC game. He went 4 for 6 from 3-point range.
“Coming off screens and doing what I do and staying confident as a shooter,” Craft said.
The Yellow Jackets have size when they’re healthy. Center Mouhamed Sylla has missed time with a lower-body injury, while Baye Ndongo also can be a force in the lane.
“When they have those two bigs, it’s hard to score at the rim,” Wade said.
