[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 Sultan]

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 Sultan]

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.