[Cracked Sidewalks] NC State Preview

[brewcity77]

50 years ago tonight, NC State defeated Marquette 76-64 to win their first national championship. This week, Marquette looks for revenge. After a quick mental health check due to the Colorado game, we break down the Wolfpack roster, strategy, and where Marquette can take advantage. Here's your primer for Friday's game.

NC State Preview

[Skatastrophy]

I think it's worth noting that Diarra is observing Ramadan. 6pm tip, 745pm sunset in Dallas.

https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/luke-decock/article286646410.html

[FairWeatherEagle]

Wait a minute....wait one minute...what I want to know is can they shoot free throws!! 

[FairWeatherEagle]

Seriously, thanks for the rundown...these are always helpful.

[brewcity77]

Wait a minute....wait one minute...what I want to know is can they shoot free throws!!

When the refs hand them twice as many FTs as their opponents, they seem to do okay.

[muwarrior69]

When the refs hand them twice as many FTs as their opponents, they seem to do okay.

Providence or UW of the ACC. Kam got 4 fouls against Colorado. IIRC Oso got two quick fouls against Purdue. So the key is to stay out of foul trouble, and not let the zebras decide the game.

[Shooter McGavin]

Thanks Brew.  I was nervous before the Colorado game as well.  I thought it was going to be close and didn’t want it to be the last game for this team.  They’ve been a transformational team for MU and have ushered in the Shaka era.  There is a pride with this team and going out in the round of 32 would have been a shame.  It also allowed many people I know who are not MU fans to watch them.  I’ve gotten many texts saying how great our backcourt is “that Kolek and Kam kid can play”.  Hell, my daughter got asked to the Prom with a sign with an MU basketball theme because he knew she was following MU ball closely.  It’s good for the university to have these excellent representatives continue to advance and showcase their talents and MU.

I think they and Shaka had a huge weight on their shoulders as well.  I, like other posters have stated, think their best basketball is ahead of them.  I can’t see them losing this game.  They will be laser focused on the task at hand.  One of the great things about having a veteran team. 

Go MU!

[Scoop Snoop]

Providence or UW of the ACC. Kam got 4 fouls against Colorado. IIRC Oso got two quick fouls against Purdue. So the key is to stay out of foul trouble, and not let the zebras decide the game.

I think the key is to outscore them at the final buzzer. How we do that is immaterial. Obsessing about any single factor in a basketball game among the many is just that-obsessing.

[Sturgeon General Warrior]

The key will be containing Diarrha. He's their #2 option, very explosive

[tower912]

Bravo.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

The dreaded Diarrha-Burns combo.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

The key will be containing Diarrha. He's their #2 option, very explosive

Is this a Tower burner account?

[Hards Alumni]

The dreaded Diarrha-Burns combo.

[Galway Eagle]

I think it's worth noting that Diarra is observing Ramadan. 6pm tip, 745pm sunset in Dallas.

https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/luke-decock/article286646410.html

Maybe the first player weve ever played you'd rather see running up and down the court than in any foul trouble to recuperate.

[Scoop Snoop]

The key will be containing Diarrha. He's their #2 option, very explosive

Cut the crap Sturgeon. The important thing is that we do let Diarra lead NC State on runs.

[Pepe Sylvia]

When the refs hand them twice as many FTs as their opponents, they seem to do okay.

Hopefully they stop doing that like they have in the last 7 games and their free throw rate on offense and defense go back to where they came from.

[Uncle Rico]

Cut the crap Sturgeon. The important thing is that we do let Diarra lead NC State on runs.

We should have Diarra meet Willie and they can talk dung

[tower912]

If that happened, it would be dodderer's and Diarras

[THRILLHO]

massive presence listed at 6'9", 275 pounds but likely even more imposing than that

Very nice way of saying “heavier.”  When i was in college i weighed 150 lbs but I’ve become even more imposing after twenty years of not working out.

[GoldenEaglePAC]

Very nice way of saying “heavier.”  When i was in college i weighed 150 lbs but I’ve become even more imposing after twenty years of not working out.

saw Burns playing in the ACC championship after the BET championship and i thought a linebacker was playing by accident.  man he is no joke, we have our work cut out for us.
 
Hate to break it to you guys, there are two Diarras!! (Uconn and nc state)

[Scoop Snoop]

saw Burns playing in the ACC championship after the BET championship and i thought a linebacker was playing by accident.  man he is no joke, we have our work cut out for us.
 
Hate to break it to you guys, there are two Diarras!! (Uconn and nc state)

If they go on runs at the same time, it is like a car with dual exhausts.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

saw Burns playing in the ACC championship after the BET championship and i thought a linebacker was playing by accident.  man he is no joke, we have our work cut out for us.

JFC people, he's just big and has some skills. He didn't even make honorable mention All-ACC teams.

People are making him out to be some super freak of nature or something like that.

[avid1010]

JFC people, he's just big and has some skills. He didn't even make honorable mention All-ACC teams.

People are making him out to be some super freak of nature or something like that.

IMHO...bigs that can't protect the rim or rebound are exactly the type of big that MU wants to deal with.  Clinghan and Kalkbrenner pose a huge issue for MU...Burns is just huge. 

[HowardsWorld]

Its going to take an A+ game from NC State against a C game from Marquette to even make this a game in my opinion. If we play out B game we should win by double digits

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

IMHO...bigs that can't protect the rim or rebound are exactly the type of big that MU wants to deal with.  Clinghan and Kalkbrenner pose a huge issue for MU...Burns is just huge. 

His passing when Marquette doubles may be concerning. But yeah, I completely agree with you.

Its going to take an A+ game from NC State against a C game from Marquette to even make this a game in my opinion. If we play out B game we should win by double digits

Yes. And a way that can happen is if DJ Horne goes off. That's the DJ I am mostly concerned with.

[DoctorV]

One of the things I’ve noticed in a lot of clips I’ve seen is that burns goes up an over defenders his size or smaller with that high arc shot. I haven’t seen many of him making a lot of buckets over taller and longer defenders.
He’s big and aggressive so taller skinner guys get pushed around, but a taller defender that can stand his ground, is mobile and long, and smart enough to not foul would seem to be a great antidote to Burns’ offensive weapons.

Enter Al Amadou.
Just kidding.

For real though we’ve got a guy like that in Oso. Problem is, I’m more worried about Mohamed Diarra, who’s been a double double machine in their last 6 games. He’s had games of 14,16,12,14,12,13 boards in that span, yikes.
At 6’10 with that rebounding prowess it seems like you have to have Oso on him and Jop on burns, and that’s a bit worrisome.

I’m sure Shaka will cook something up, and I think if he likes the Oso on Burns idea we will see plenty of Ben to help shore up the glass and space them out on the other end.

Otherwise, Stevie on Horne is huge, we need Stevie to have another amazing lockdown defensive effort, with Tyler and Kam picking up O’Connell and Morsell

[WellsstreetWanderer]

We’re concerned about one or two guys imagine the consternation at NCState; they have to worry about 6 or 7 MU players all of whom could be game changers ( and will be)

[Scoop Snoop]

Both Doc's and Wellstreet's posts make a lot of sense. Doc, I have to admit I took the bait with your Amadou joke. 

My biggest concern is simply that NC State has taken down both Duke and UNC. I think we win, but I admit to being a little nervous. 

[Hards Alumni]

We’re concerned about one or two guys imagine the consternation at NCState; they have to worry about 6 or 7 MU players all of whom could be game changers ( and will be)

Exactly!

Also, I'll say that NC state has shot 34.7% from 3 this year.  IMO, that means swap into a zone and make em beat you from deep.

[MUfan12]

I know MU wants to fly around on defense, but I find myself wishing they were a bit more judicious on when to double. Each of the first two games there was a stretch where the opposition figured it out and went on a big run from deep. That hasn't bitten MU yet, but not sure I want to keep testing it.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

One of the reasons they double down low is to create turnovers to fuel their offense.

[Skatastrophy]

Exactly!

Also, I'll say that NC state has shot 34.7% from 3 this year.  IMO, that means swap into a zone and make em beat you from deep.

If we swap into zone we'll have to pack it in otherwise they'll beat us from the middle. NC State practices their midrange shots.

[MUfan12]

One of the reasons they double down low is to create turnovers to fuel their offense.

Of course. And it's effective until it isn't, and that's when MU has gotten burned.

The situations I have seen was the double being late and going anyway, which throws the whole defense into scramble mode.

There are good enough individual defenders to play teams more straight up if they are firing from three.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I know MU wants to fly around on defense, but I find myself wishing they were a bit more judicious on when to double. Each of the first two games there was a stretch where the opposition figured it out and went on a big run from deep. That hasn't bitten MU yet, but not sure I want to keep testing it.

I think they may mix up the double, go hard as soon as Burns commits to a dribble versus when he catches it. If he dribbles left, he will shoot it. If he dribbles with his right, he will either reverse dribble left to shoot or pass out. He very seldom passes out while dribbling left.

[TFlegend]

I know MU wants to fly around on defense, but I find myself wishing they were a bit more judicious on when to double. Each of the first two games there was a stretch where the opposition figured it out and went on a big run from deep. That hasn't bitten MU yet, but not sure I want to keep testing it.

Agree with this.  I'd like them to double a little more strategically, if possible.  There are times when the double comes and the ball handler isn't in any position to score and the first defender is in a good spot defensively.  Doesn't seem necessary at that point, but we get into a scramble drill and both WKU and Colorado made us pay with easy layups/dunks or open threes.  Didn't make us pay enough to win the game...but, I thought there were some unnecessary doubles. 

[BM1090]

JFC people, he's just big and has some skills. He didn't even make honorable mention All-ACC teams.

People are making him out to be some super freak of nature or something like that.

Eh. He’s a really good player. I’ve watched 4-5 of their games and he’s consistently their most impressive offensive player. For a guy who doesn’t shoot threes he’s surprisingly good from 10-18 feet. Uses angles and the dribble well.

But we can exploit him defensively. He can’t guard in P&R. If the guys keep their heads, we should win without too much stress.

[Pakuni]

Eh. He’s a really good player. I’ve watched 4-5 of their games and he’s consistently their most impressive offensive player. For a guy who doesn’t shoot threes he’s surprisingly good from 10-18 feet. Uses angles and the dribble well.

But we can exploit him defensively. He can’t guard in P&R. If the guys keep their heads, we should win without too much stress.

Tower made the point earlier, but MU has faced no shortage of quality bigs this year ... Edey, Dickinson, Kalkbrenner, Clingan, Soriano, Oduro, Dixon, Lampkin, etc.
Burns is a good player as well, but he's not going to catch MU off guard.

[NickelDimer]

I know MU wants to fly around on defense, but I find myself wishing they were a bit more judicious on when to double. Each of the first two games there was a stretch where the opposition figured it out and went on a big run from deep. That hasn't bitten MU yet, but not sure I want to keep testing it.

100%. It’s my only issue with Shaka’s defense. We overhelp which leads to open shots. It works against teams who aren’t great taking care of the ball but…

[PointWarrior]

JFC people, he's just big and has some skills. He didn't even make honorable mention All-ACC teams.

People are making him out to be some super freak of nature or something like that.

has the collective of scoop Worriers worked themselves up to being more afraid of NC State than Colorado now....

[Uncle Rico]

has the collective of scoop Worriers worked themselves up to being more afraid of NC State than Colorado now....

Nope

[tower912]

has the collective of scoop Worriers worked themselves up to being more afraid of NC State than Colorado now....

Not too bad.  Waiting for the first missed shot by MU or made basket by NCSU.

[Uncle Rico]

Not too bad.  Waiting for the first missed shot by MU or made basket by NCSU.

You should see the worriers when Marquette is only up a few buckets at half

[RushmoreAcademy]

If we let Diarrha get through the cracks in our defense we are going to have a big mess to deal with.

[Judge Smails]

You should see the worriers when Marquette is only up a few buckets at half

Or down by 7 to WKU at the half.