NC State Basketball News

Abdul-Malik Abu reportedly ‘seriously considering’ transferring from NC State

The floodgates are already open for NC State, and it appears the waters might be getting murkier. Abdul-Malik Abu, who entered the 2016 NBA Draft without an agent, might transfer from the Wolfpack basketball program.

Abu’s plans are to depart from Raleigh whether he’s drafted or not, according to Jeff Goodman of ESPN.

Last season, Abu developed into a powerful big man who could score and defend in the post. He averaged 12.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 49 percent shooting percentage in 28.3 minutes per game in 2015-16.

Presumed to be the best big man on the court for the Pack in 2016-17, Abu was predicted to carry the load offensively down low. With BeeJay Anya entering his name into the NBA draft, both were expected to see huge minutes next season with a solid backcourt in Maverick Rowan, Dennis Smith Jr., Terry Henderson and Torrin Dorn leading the rotation.

The reaction from Twitter, of course, was fantastic.

Abu was not invited to the NBA Combine — Cat Barber was the only NC State player invited — and has yet to hire an agent. Leaving the Pack would be a questionable move with the likely emphasis that would be placed on him in the paint next season, but not an outlandish one.

Dating back to the 2009 recruiting class, 11 of the 23 scholarship recruits have gone on to play for different colleges. That includes players like Rodney Purvis, Tyler Lewis and Jaqawn Raymond — all three playing in the NCAA Tournament this year.

Abu would just be the latest to leave Mark Gottfried’s program, but likely the most shocking given the opportunity he has to shine with NC State next year.

 

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Lutz assumes new role at NC State

Bobby Lutz, who’s been a member of the NC State coaching staff for the last five seasons, has been named Special Assistant to the Deputy Athletic Director for External Operations, Mark Gottfried announced Tuesday.

“My family and I have loved our five years at NC State and are very proud of what we have accomplished,” Lutz said in a release. “I look forward to aiding the program in my new role and will continue to give my very best effort.”

Earlier in the day, rumors swirled that Lutz may be headed to a position under new Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner, but with NC State’s release Tuesday, Lutz is most certainly staying in Raleigh.

Lutz’s new responsibilities will include “administrative duties” associated with the men’s basketball program. Those duties include development of players off the court, housing arrangements and logistics associated with the team’s future international trip.

“I’m grateful for all of Bobby’s contributions to our program and am pleased that he will continue to be of benefit to our student athletes,” Gottfried said in a release.

The move opens up an assistant coaching position on Gottfried’s staff and could explain earlier reports from Gary Parrish of CBS Sports that Florida Gulf Coast head coach Joe Dooley may wind up on N.C. State’s bench.
Nothing has been made official, but a decision could apparently be made by the end of the week. Parrish notes that a salary increase might play a huge role in Dooley’s decision.

“We don’t comment on jobs. I’m the coach here,” Dooley told The News-Press on Monday. Talking about it doesn’t really help me or help anything else. I think I’ve been pretty consistent that we’re going to not comment on any other jobs.”

Dooley has spent the last three years at Florida Gulf Coast, making the NCAA Tournament for the first time with the program in 2016. Despite being bounced by North Carolina at PNC Arena, he clearly made an impression on Mark Gottfried and the NC State staff.

During his first head coaching attempt, Dooley struggled with East Carolina from 1995-99. He led the Pirates to two winning seasons in four seasons before serving as an assistant at New Mexico, Wyoming and eventually finding a home for a decade at Kansas.

If Dooley does make the move, he would join Orlando Early and Butch Pierre as former head coaches serving on the Wolfpack’s staff. But he’s not making any promises about his future.

“I could get run over by a car on the way home,” Dooley said when asked if he could guarantee he’d be coach at FGCU next season. “You know the way people in Florida drive.”

 

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Dennis Smith Jr. cleared for basketball activities with NC State

RALEIGH – The Dennis Smith era has officially begun in Raleigh.

Smith, NC State’s prized recruit in the 2016 class, is officially cleared to return to basketball activities. The Fayetteville native made the news official on Twitter.

Prior to the announcement, Smith told the North State Journal he was fully healthy and ready to get back on the court. He hopes to return to the court even better than he was last August.

“Oh, I’m 100 percent now,” Smith told the North State Journal. “But I don’t want to come back at 100 percent, though. I want to be around 120 after my recovery and playing better than I ever have by October.”

That’s a terrifying statement for ACC fans after the mixtape released earlier this week by Ball is Life.

During his time enrolled at NC State, Smith has rehabbed quicker than expected and said he’s gained 16 pounds in muscle alone. He hopes to use his increased strength and stamina to bring an up-tempo approach to the NC State offense in 2016-17.

For the full interview with Smith in this Sunday’s paper, subscribe to the North State Journal.

Cody and Caleb Martin to transfer from NC State

NC State’s depth chart just got even thinner. Caleb and Cody Martin, two key players for the Wolfpack in 2016, will both transfer this offseason.

The Martin twins averaged a combined 17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Pack last season. Both brothers traded off starting roles on Mark Gottfried’s team, with each playing a specific role off the bench when they were pressed into action.

“We wanted to say thank you to [Wolfpack Nation] and all of the great memories that will be with us forever,” Caleb Martin said. “But we think it is best for us to move on.”

Cody echoed his brother’s remarks.

“It definitely was not an easy decision for us,” Cody Martin said. “But we feel that is best that we move on. We will forever be grateful.”

Losing both wing players is a huge issue after Cat Barber announced he would stay in the 2016 NBA draft. Without Barber and the Martin twins, State will now have to rely solely on Maverick Rowan and a trio of players who have a combined seven minutes in a Wolfpack uniform in Torin Dorn, Terry Henderson and Dennis Smith.

“Through a series of honest, thoughtful and somewhat surprising conversations we have had in the days since our season ended, Caleb and Cody have informed me of their desire to explore options that they believe are in both of their best interest,” Gottfried said. “While I don’t share all of their views, I have certainly come to understand and respect the unique dynamic and special bond that exists between identical twins, especially when they play the same sport for the same team.

“I enjoyed coaching them over the past two years.”

NC State guard Cat Barber (12) hits a shot over Wake Forest center Doral Moore (4) Saturday, February 13, 2016 in Raleigh, N.C. Barber scored a career-high 38 points in NC State's 99-88 win over Wake Forest. (Christine T. Nguyen / The North State Journal)
NC State guard Cat Barber (12) hits a shot over Wake Forest center Doral Moore (4) Saturday, February 13, 2016 in Raleigh, N.C. Barber scored a career-high 38 points in NC State’s 99-88 win over Wake Forest. (Christine T. Nguyen / The North State Journal)

Losing transfers during the offseason simply continues a trend for State’s basketball team. Dating back to the 2009 recruiting class, 11 of the 23 scholarship recruits have gone on to play for different colleges. That includes players like Rodney Purvis, Tyler Lewis and Jaqawn Raymond — all three playing in the NCAA Tournament this year.

Of those players, only three remained with the team all four seasons. Four others, including Barber, left early for the NBA draft. NC State currently has just eight scholarship players on the active roster after its worst season under Gottfried.

The move is one that makes sense for the Martin twins with minutes likely dwindling down next season as Smith, Dorn and Henderson all in the mix next year. Unfortunately, it leaves the Pack devoid of depth again in 2016-17 after struggling with the issue this past season.

 

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Cat Barber will remain in 2016 NBA Draft

During the ACC Tournament, Cat Barber said he would wait to hear back from NBA scouts before making his decision about the future. The feedback from the NBA must have been positive as Barber plans to remain in the 2016 NBA draft and not return to NC State.

The decision doesn’t come as a complete shock to NC State coach Mark Gottfried and his staff after the season Barber put together. Barber became only the second ACC player to average 23.5 points along with 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists, matching Georgia Tech’s Kenny Anderson.

“I appreciate Cat for his significant contributions over the last three years at NC State,” Gottfried said. “I wish him the best, and we will help him any way we can as he pursues his dreams to play in the NBA and provide support to his family.

“Not only was his play terrific for our team, but he showed great development as a player and young man during his time in our program, and he can leave here in solid position to come back and earn his degree.”

Equaling those numbers as a senior doesn’t seem likely — especially not with the shooters the Wolfpack will have next season. Suffice to say, his stock will never be higher than it is right now. Next year’s draft class will also be deeper, meaning the likelihood of a first-round selection for Barber seemed even slimmer.

Mar 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Anthony Barber (12) walks off the court after missing a potential game tying shot in the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during day two of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. Duke Blue Devils defeated North Carolina State Wolfpack 92-89. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Anthony Barber (12) walks off the court after missing a potential game tying shot in the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during day two of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. Duke Blue Devils defeated North Carolina State Wolfpack 92-89. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s also not forget the most crucial aspect: family. Barber has a one-year-old daughter and playing college basketball isn’t exactly paying bills, in case you haven’t noticed.

“I feel like it’s time for me to move on and take my game to the next level,” Barber said in a text message to Pack Pride. “I want to be able to provide for my family. I enjoyed my time at NC State. I want to thank my coaches for giving me the opportunity. Most importantly I want to thank my teammates and the fans. I want everyone to know I gave it 100% every night. I will forever be a part of WPN.”

Unlike Trevor Lacey suddenly departing from NC State last season, Gottfried was able to prepare for the potential of Barber’s exit. The team adds Terry Henderson and Torin Dorn on the wing with the No. 1 point guard in the 2016 class in Dennis Smith Jr. taking on Barber’s role.

Having Barber back would have been huge for the Pack, but it’s not a crippling loss either way. It’s the right move for Barber and one that benefits not only him, but his family as well.

“Not just me, but I have to do it for my child,” Barber said. “My brother died, it motivated me to do better. See the opportunity I got and go take it. I think that played a big part in me doing what I’m doing now.”

 

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Tyler Lewis returns to Raleigh in Butler blue

RALEIGH — Tyler Lewis remembers having to make the call on whether he’d finish out his career in Raleigh or move on. Ultimately, the Statesville point guard decided to head to Indianapolis for a chance to thrive in a new environment.

“It was one of the hardest decisions of my life,” Lewis explained. “It was to see if I had a better opportunity to play somewhere. It took a lot of praying and a lot of faith.”

Now a member of Butler, Lewis is playing in his second NCAA Tournament. Ironically enough, his second stint in March Madness comes at PNC Arena, a place he called home for two seasons with the Wolfpack.

Mar 16, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Butler Bulldogs guard Tyler Lewis (1) shoots the ball during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Butler Bulldogs guard Tyler Lewis (1) shoots the ball during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Lewis may have left the Wolfpack, but he can’t seem to avoid his Raleigh ties during the NCAA Tournament. Butler made the tournament last season and ended up in Pittsburgh for Regionals – the same location as NC State.

The Pack didn’t make a postseason tourney this year, but Lewis still finds himself close to his former teammates.

“NC State’s a place I fell in love with when I was a sophomore when I committed,” Lewis said. “It’s very ironic that we were in Pittsburgh last year at the same time and it’s ironic that I get to play here again. It’s like a circle in life. It just keeps coming back. Honestly I love it.”

Despite leaving Raleigh, there’s no animosity toward his former team. When he heard about the Regional location being at PNC Arena, Lewis immediately reached out to both Lennard Freeman and Cat Barber.

Barber and Lewis may have competed for minutes at NC State, but he said both maintain a close relationship. Even before learning Butler’s fate following the Big East Tournament, Lewis said he spoke with Barber during the ACC Tournament in Washington, D.C.

“I remember my sophomore and his freshman year,” Lewis explained. “A lot of people thought we were just competing for that spot. It kind of just made us closer as friends because people wanted to see us compete for the job but we knew it was more about the team.”

During his final year with NC State, Lewis averaged 4.4 points and 3.8 assists, averaging 19.9 minutes per game. The undersized point guard showed a smooth touch with the basketball, helping off the bench in his two years with the Pack.

The most memorable moment spent in Raleigh? That’s an easy one for Lewis.

“A great memory was when we beat Carolina and Duke here my freshman year,” Lewis said. “It’s always great to beat the blue bloods here, especially when you’re wearing the red. Those are the two biggest games … it was fun to be on top.”

A concussion suffered midway through the Big East schedule kept Lewis out of four games. He’s also seen his minutes gradually reduced from 23.6 per game prior to the injury down to 12.8 minutes in the last nine games.

“He’s obviously been an important part of our team this year and has been instrumental in some very important wins,” Butler coach Chris Holtmann said. “ … He’s returned and really given us some really important and valuable minutes.”

Regardless of the playing time he receives, Lewis will be get a chance to shine in front of family and friends – thanks to some extra tickets from his teammates. Back in PNC Arena one last time, he’s simply hoping for two wins and a trip to Chicago in his future.

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Cat Barber’s career-high game leads to N.C. State win over Wake Forest, 99-88

NC State guard Cat Barber (12) hits a shot over Wake Forest center Doral Moore (4) Saturday, February 13, 2016 in Raleigh, N.C. Barber scored a career-high 38 points in NC State's 99-88 win over Wake Forest. (Christine T. Nguyen / The North State Journal)
N.C. State’s Cat Barber smiles after scoring a career-high 38 points in the win over Wake Forest on Saturday, February 13, 2016 in Raleigh, N.C. (Christine T. Nguyen / The North State Journal)

Saturday at PNC Arena was a battle of attrition between two North Carolina teams, but one team had to win. That team was N.C. State, who came away with a nail-biting 99-88 victory, moving to 13-12 and dropping Wake Forest to 10-15.

Two weeks after its last home game against Miami, the Wolfpack now has two straight wins at PNC Arena after starting 0-4. Cat Barber led all players with a career-high 38 points – his seventh 30-point performance of the season.

Devin Thomas led Wake Forest with 15 points and 21 rebounds. The last player with 20-plus rebounds against the Pack was Tim Duncan in 1996. Codi Miller-McIntyre tallied 24 points, but it wasn’t enough in the 12th conference loss of the season for Wake.

 

Balance on the Boards

Wake Forest's Codi Miller-McIntyre (0) goes up for a basket while defended by NC State's BeeJay Anya (21) and Shaun Kirk (22) on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. (Christine T. Nguyen / The North State Journal)
Wake Forest’s Codi Miller-McIntyre (0) goes up for a basket while defended by NC State’s BeeJay Anya (21) and Shaun Kirk (22) on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. (Christine T. Nguyen / The North State Journal)

Devin Thomas did everything possible for Wake Forest in the paint, coming away with 21 rebounds throughout the game. The help, however, wasn’t there. In fact, his 10 boards in the first half were twice as many as the rest of the team – which finished with 15 through the first 20 minutes.

Even with Thomas’ 21 rebounds, Wake still finished tied with State on the boards at 38. The Deacs also came up short in second-chance points (16-15) with a 13-11 offensive rebound deficit. The deficit was even worse off turnovers, with State converting 17 points compared to six for Wake.

It was a valiant effort throughout the game for Thomas, but his help was limited. Similar to Barber’s effort offensively for N.C. State, Wake couldn’t seem to find any answers otherwise.

 

State’s Slow Starts

N.C. State has been notorious for slow starts this season offensively, but it was never more apparent than Saturday’s game. Wake Forest got out to an 18-8 lead at the 14:28 mark before Mark Gottfried called a timeout to calm down his team. State responded with a 9-2 run and headed into the half at 44-42.

The second half started in similar fashion, with Wake storming back to take an early lead. The Wolfpack started stagnant offensively. Luckily for State, Barber was there to save the day again, scoring 15 of the team’s first 17 points through the first six minutes of the second half.

Wake was unable to take full advantage, but other ACC teams will down the stretch. Suffice to say, this State team is still a work in progress. That’s not where any team wants to be with March rapidly approaching.

Ultimately, the Pack got going in each half to nearly pass the 100-point threshold. Barber’s nearly 40-point night was a huge reason for that total. Had State started hot in either half, who knows what might have happened?

 

Turning a Corner

NC State guard Cat Barber (12) hits a shot over Wake Forest center Doral Moore (4) Saturday, February 13, 2016 in Raleigh, N.C. Barber scored a career-high 38 points in NC State's 99-88 win over Wake Forest. (Christine T. Nguyen / The North State Journal)
NC State guard Cat Barber (12) hits a shot over Wake Forest center Doral Moore (4) Saturday, February 13, 2016 in Raleigh, N.C. Barber scored a career-high 38 points in NC State’s 99-88 win over Wake Forest. (Christine T. Nguyen / The North State Journal)

Despite those slow starts, N.C. State’s offense looked much improved in other departments. Much of that is thanks to Caleb Martin, who came off the bench for 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting in 35 minutes.

Mark Gottfried clearly showed he has more confidence in Martin, who was removed from the starting lineup earlier this season. Maverick Rowan also chipped in with 20 points of his own. Rowan and Martin combined for 7-of-16 from three-point range to match Barber’s scoring total.

Having both on their game is something rarely seen for State this year in conference play. With Abdul-Malik Abu also tallying 11 points, the Pack might finally have all the offensive pieces it needs to compete during tournament time.

 

What’s Next?

For the Wolfpack, a road contest against Virginia lies ahead. The Cavaliers are looking to secure the top seed in the ACC down the stretch, looking up only at North Carolina. State has pulled off some shocking wins this season over Pittsburgh and Miami, but Virginia’s defense is a completely different animal.

Wake Forest travels to Pittsburgh before a winnable home game against Boston College. In desperate need of a win, this Wake team just might find it against the Eagles. With Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and Duke to close out the season, the loss in Raleigh is as deflating as any for Wake.

Georgia Tech vs. N.C. State: 4 takeaways from Yellow Jackets’ victory over Wolfpack

Despite a valiant effort in the second half, N.C. State lost to Georgia Tech, 90-83, dropping to 11-10 on the season and 1-7 in the ACC on Wednesday night at PNC Arena. It was the Wolfpack’s fourth straight home loss and the Yellow Jackets’ first road victory in the conference.

Cat Barber made the start after suffering a knee injury against Duke, but the Pack couldn’t find a way to rally around him. Defensive lapses and ineffective shooting outside of Barber and Abdul-Malik Abu (22 points, 11 rebounds) did State in once again in ACC play.

Before the Pack’s next home game against a surging Miami team, let’s take a look at what we learned from the loss to Georgia Tech.

 

Cautious Cat

NC State guard Cat Barber (12) walks on the court after a play against Georgia Tech during the second half of a college basketball game on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, in Raleigh, N.C. Georgia Tech won 90-83. (Kevin Martin/North State Journal)
NC State guard Cat Barber (12) walks on the court after a play against Georgia Tech during the second half of a college basketball game on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, in Raleigh, N.C. Georgia Tech won 90-83. (Kevin Martin/North State Journal)

Don’t get me wrong, he may have finished with 36 points on the night, but it was clear from the start Barber wasn’t completely healthy. The Pack’s floor general looked timid at the beginning of the game, rarely driving to the basket with his normal veracity.

Barber settled for outside shots with limited cuts with mixed results. During the first half, Barber missed his first three shots before hitting his next four. He finished at 5-of-13 and finished at 13-of-28 on the night.

While Barber was able to settle into a groove and did eventually slash to the basket twice late in the second half, it was all for naught. But if the outside shot is working like it did during streaks for Barber on Wednesday night, he can still be one of the most prolific scorers in the conference.

 

Abu Coming Into His Own

NC State forward Abdul-Malik Abu (0) dunks near Georgia Tech forward Charles Mitchell (0) during the second half of a college basketball game on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, in Raleigh, N.C. Georgia Tech won 90-83. (Kevin Martin/North State Journal)
NC State forward Abdul-Malik Abu (0) dunks near Georgia Tech forward Charles Mitchell (0) during the second half of a college basketball game on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, in Raleigh, N.C. Georgia Tech won 90-83. (Kevin Martin/North State Journal)

For those who haven’t noticed, Abu is becoming a key ingredient for the Wolfpack’s offense.

Unfortunately, that offense is struggling outside of Barber and Abu. The sophomore big man combined with Barber to finish with 58 of the State’s 83 points along with 15 of the team’s 31 rebounds.

Still, Abu finished with his eighth double-double in the last 11 games. His growth as a sophomore might not do much for this team this season, but could go a long way for next year. Considering Barber will likely return, having a more developed Abu inside with Dennis Smith outside should be encouraging for N.C. State fans.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t make this season any better. 2017 feels like a long way away at this point.

 

Cold From Deep

The Wolfpack fell behind in the first half after going 0-of-5 from behind the arch, including two misses from Maverick Rowan. He finally found his touch in the second half with two straight threes to put State within striking distance, but couldn’t sustain it late in the game.

Overall, State finished at 6-of-14 from three against Georgia Tech thanks to some desperation threes that fell in the second half. Suffice to say, it wasn’t enough when the defense isn’t making stops on the other end.

On the night, State finished slightly better than GT from behind the arch, but didn’t come out of the gate with any accuracy from deep. Teams like Miami and Duke – two of the Pack’s next three opponents – will certainly make them pay with size down low to pull in defensive rebounds.

 

What’s Next?

Why did State need this win so bad? Well, let’s just say the upcoming slate doesn’t look friendly.

Up next, the Pack hosts No. 15 Miami (16-3) on Saturday after the Hurricanes trounced Duke Monday night. After falling to a team that had yet to win a conference game on the road, State gets to tangle with a Miami team that is 1-2 away from home this season.

For a team reliant on just two scorers, Abu will have to battle inside with 7-footer Tonye Jekiri in the paint. That, my friends, is not a good matchup. And it doesn’t get any easier for Barber, who will need to be at full strength against Sheldon McClellan.

The Canes are a senior-laden team with Jekiri and McClellan serving as just two stars along with Angel Rodriguez. State has pulled off more surprising wins this season over Pittsburgh and, well, just Pittsburgh. But with the insanity of the ACC this year, anything is possible.

Duke vs. N.C. State: 4 takeaways from Blue Devils’ 88-78 win over Wolfpack

Ice and snow filled the roads outside, but both N.C. State and Duke got red hot inside PNC Arena on Saturday afternoon. After a blistering start from the Wolfpack in the first half, Duke sealed the win to snap a three-game losing streak in a 88-78 win.

Grayson Allen led the Blue Devils with 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, finishing 11-of-17 from the floor. Brandon Ingram put on a similar show with 25 points and seven rebounds to finally earn a much-needed victory for the Devils.

It was a tale of two halves for Cat Barber, who finished with 19 points – scoring just three in the second half. An apparent knee injury had a lot to do with the drought in the second half, leaving Abdul-Malik Abu (14 points), Cody Martin (12 points) and others to pick up the slack.

Despite the blustering conditions outside, the Wolfpack’s fan base showed up in full force – something that didn’t go unnoticed by head coach Mark Gottfried.

“I also want to say thank you to the Wolfpack Nation,” Gottfried said. “Wow. I am so proud of our fans, I’m so proud of the way they came out today. With the weather, and the governor making a statement, our fans came. I’m just so proud of our fans.”

As both teams head their separate ways before another matchup on Feb. 6 at Cameron Indoor Stadium, here’s a look at what we learned from Duke’s significant win.

 

Duke’s Post Problems Continue, Help On the Way?

The Blue Devils may have ran away in the second half thanks to their outside shooting, but it was clear there was a mismatch in the post. Marshall Plumlee finished with 10 points and eight rebounds, serving as the lone inside presence yet again for Duke.

Luckily, it appears help might be on the way. Amile Jefferson, who has missed the last 11 games with a foot injury, was seen walking without a boot or crutches. His return would be massive for a Duke team that has struggled in ACC play thus far.

“We’re trying to get him now to walk properly,” Krzyzewski said of Jefferson. “There’s still no timetable. The bone has healed pretty well, but he’s still not there.”

Thanks to the development of Plumlee down low, the Devils might be in a better position come tournament time. But with games against Miami, Louisville and Virginia before Valentine’s Day, getting Jefferson back soon could mean a substantial boost for Duke’s seed in March.

 

Blue Devils Avoid Epic Loss

Losing three straight for Duke was shocking, regardless of injuries and depth issues the team has dealt with. However, dropping to 3-4 in conference after a loss at PNC Arena would have been crippling given the upcoming schedule.

Duke didn’t lose, but it still has a chance to drop outside of the Associated Press top 25. After 166 straight weeks inside the AP poll, the Syracuse loss will still likely leave Mike Krzyzewski’s squad on the outside looking in.

Is this team better than its current ranking? With a healthy Jefferson, yes. Without him, nope.

 

Cat Barber Continues to Amaze

Regardless of where this N.C. State team ends up in the ACC, nobody can take anything away from Cat Barber. The Pack’s only surefire consistent star is a contender for the ACC Player of the Year despite being on a team that is currently 1-6 in conference play.

How crucial is Barber? His knee injury in the second half – which he played through – signaled a huge swing in the game. After colliding with a Duke player early in the first half, Barber was limited to zero points on just two shots in the final 15 minutes.

“I think he got hurt a little bit too,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “I hope he’s not hurt but you could see something happened. That type of thing happens to us too and they’re marginalized with that as well. They can’t afford to not have him on the court – he’s one of the best players in the country.

“He’s so dangerous, he’s really damn good.”

After scoring 16 points in the first half, Barber’s ineffectiveness left the supporting cast to carry State. It couldn’t. Barber’s sharp shooting and passing skills helped the Pack shoot 6-of-9 from three in the first half – including six straight at one point. State shot 1-of-11 from behind the arch following the injury.

Barber will need to be at full health against Georgia Tech to build confidence before facing Miami.

 

What’s Next?

For Duke, the upcoming seven games can make or break the entire season. Traveling to Miami then Georgia Tech before returning home to N.C. State, Louisville and Virginia is tough enough. Then tack on a road rivalry game against North Carolina then taking on the Cardinals at Louisville.

That, my friends, is called murderer’s row.

If the Devils survive and get Jefferson back somewhere in the middle, a top-five seed in the ACC tourney still seems attainable. Finishing .500 or worse over that stretch might lead to an unprecedented Tuesday start in the first round.

Meanwhile, State is all but assured to start on Tuesday of the ACC tournament after dropping to 11-9 on the season. With games coming up against Georgia Tech, Miami, Florida State and Duke, the Pack can only hope to come away with two wins over the next two weeks.

Even after a strong showing from both on Saturday, that’s about all the Pack and its fan base can hope for at this point.

Deacons topple Wolfpack at home: 4 takeaways from Wake Forest’s 77-74 win over NC State

Two downtrodden ACC teams matched up on Sunday night at Joel Coliseum, with Wake Forest coming away with a much-needed 77-74 victory. The Deacons notched their first conference win while the Wolfpack were sent back to Raleigh at 0-3 for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

Danny Manning’s squad was paced by Devin Thomas, who finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds, three rebounds and three assists. Bryant Crawford, Konstantinos Mitoglou and Codi Miller-McIntyre all contributed double-digit points in the win.

Cat Barber once again led the Pack with a game-high 26 points and seven assists, but his effort was nullified by a lack of production around him. Maverick Rowan reached 13 points on 3-of-11 shooting from behind the arc. Abdul-Malik Abu had 11 points, but offered nothing on the boards with two rebounds.

Here’s three more takeaways from NC State’s loss:

 

Desperation, anyone?

From the opening tip in this game, it was clear that neither team felt it needed this win. Here’s the thing — both teams did need this one. Coming in at 0-2 apiece, the Pack and Deacs desperately needed to finally pencil a W next to an ACC opponent on the schedule.

Wake finally found that desperation mode in the second half. Then NC State did, but couldn’t sustain its energy.

After being up 27-25 at the half, Wake went on a 13-0 run to start the second. The promise the Deacs showed in non-conference play to start the season finally showed up. State responded with a run of its own, but Wake answered to take another double-digit lead with five minutes left.

In order for either team to climb back into the discussion as a middle-tier ACC program, it will need to play with some desperation moving forward. Otherwise, neither have a chance to enter February with a shot at an NCAA Tournament appearance.

 

Foul trouble boiling over

Abdul-Malik Abu is a significant contributor for NC State, but foul trouble limited him on Sunday night. Image courtesy of @PackPride.
Abdul-Malik Abu is a significant contributor for NC State, but foul trouble limited him on Sunday night. Image courtesy of @PackPride.

Whichever way you cut it for NC State, the Pack is struggling in the foul department. Coming off a game where the Pack missed 11 free-throw shots against Louisville, State couldn’t stay out of its own way with both Abdul-Malik Abu and BeeJay Anya got into early foul trouble with Anya eventually fouling out.

On the other side, Wake is finding strength in getting to the free-throw line with 19 points from the charity stripe on Sunday night. While they missed nine shots from the line, the Deacs limited State to just 10 attempts at freebies — a huge swing in what was ultimately a three-point margin.

If NC State is going to eventually turn things around, it needs to be more prominent offensively in the paint and smarter on the other end. Wake may have found a secret to limiting the Pack’s offensive role players while powering its way to finally getting in the win column in conference play.

 

Keeping it close

In eight games decided by six points or less, Wake Forest is 8-0. The Deacons have done so against opposition like Indiana, UCLA and LSU, so it’s not just over weaker teams. But with lopsided losses to Louisville and Duke, Manning’s squad is still far from competing for anything substantial in the ACC.

However, in a year where several of the Deacs leading scorers are freshmen and sophomores, respectability is massive. After years of substandard results, this resume is already impressive.

On the NC State side, the close losses are racking up. The Pack’s three losses to start ACC play are by a combined 13 points. Luckily, State now plays a Florida State program that’s also 0-3 in the conference on Wednesday at home.

Another loss to a previously winless ACC team on Wednesday? That could very well lead to an 0-5 mark with a trip to Chapel Hill on the docket on Saturday. Oh, and the Tar Heels have a full week of rest before taking on the Pack.

 

What’s Next?

NC State’s aforementioned date with FSU could lead to its first win while the UNC matchup doesn’t look promising. With both teams heading in opposite directions, the Heels will be ready to feast on this State squad.

For Wake, there are two winnable games coming up against Virginia Tech on the road and Syracuse at home. The Hokies were brought back to earth by Duke in a 82-58 loss and even Jim Boeheim can’t save this Cuse team from an 0-4 start to the ACC slate.

After a disappointing start, Wake has a chance to go on a run before another gauntlet stretch against UNC, Miami and Virginia. Getting to .500 in January would be huge for Wake — it would be a dream come true for State at this point.