NC State struggles: Three takeaways from the Wolfpack’s double-digit loss at Wake Forest

A little over a month ago, N.C. State looked like it could compete with the top teams in the nation. It held its own in the first half against Purdue and nearly beat Texas. Even when it played against Kansas, the Pack looked like a tough competitor outside of the first five minutes. It had a chance this week to put itself toward the top of the ACC.

Instead of looking like a contender, N.C. State fell in its second consecutive conference game and looked out of sorts on both ends of the floor as in-state rival Wake Forest defeated the Wolfpack, 77-59, on Saturday at Joel Coliseum.

Wake Forest (11-4, 3-1 ACC) led for nearly the entire first half while dominating both ends of the floor. The Demon Deacons used a 17-1 run, during which they shot 6 for 9 from the field, to take a 19-4 lead 6:30 into the contest.

Like their game against Syracuse, when the Deacs started with a 17-2 advantage, they didn’t fully break away in the first half. N.C. State (8-6, 1-2 ACC) went on a 9-0 run late to close the gap and stay within striking distance. Dontrez Styles set a screen to help clear a path for Marcus Hill to drive to the basket and score a contested layup, cutting Wake’s lead to two points. The Pack trailed by just six at halftime.

The Wolfpack started better in the second half, making two buckets on two trips down the floor and forcing back-to-back shot clock violations on Wake Forest possessions. Its offense, however, never found a flow, despite three players scoring in double figures.

Hill led the team with 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Michael O’Connell and Styles added 10 and 11 points, respectively.

N.C. State entered the game averaging 74.1 points per game, which ranks No. 14 in the ACC, and had an offensive rating of 112.1 points per 100 possessions. It finished below its season average in points and had an offensive rating of 95.2. The Wolfpack went multiple two- to three-minute stretches without a basket, and finished the game just 9 for 21 on layups.

The Pack finished 20-50 (40.0%) from the field, while Wake Forest went 28-51 (54.9%).

Hunter Sallis led the Demon Deacons with 20 points, four rebounds and three assists. Juke Harris recorded a career-high 17 points, scoring 14 in the first half. Harris limped off the floor with a little over six minutes left after hitting the floor and appearing to injure his ankle.

Here are three takeaways from N.C. State’s second loss of the week.

Wolfpack needs drivers’ ed

N.C. State entered the game 8-1 when outscoring opponents in the paint and 0-4 when it doesn’t. Additionally, it averaged 41.8 paint points in its wins and 25.8 in the losses.

That trend continued in Winston-Salem.

Wake Forest outscored N.C. State 38-20 in the paint, moving the Pack to 0-5 when the opponent has more success in the lane.

To score inside, the ball has to actually make it there. Wake Forest’s defense effectively shut down the paint, and the Wolfpack struggled to drive inside so it could attempt shots underneath.

Hill is the only player who has consistently shown an ability to get past defenders and make tough shots through traffic.

Jayden Taylor has taken the ball to the hole, but that’s also where he’s committed most of his turnovers. Brandon Huntley-Hatfield remains one of the more efficient shooters, but he’s a finesse, back-to-the-bucket guy, not a driver.

For the team to have success this season, more than one player needs to figure out how to get to the rim consistently.

Ben Middlebrooks returns to lineup

Senior Ben Middlebrooks returned to the starting lineup after missing the Wolfpack’s game Tuesday against Virginia.

Middlebrooks was unavailable due to an undisclosed illness that caused multiple bouts of vomiting. Coach Kevin Keatts confirmed he planned to play Middlebrooks and Huntley-Hatfield together. The duo started together Saturday, but didn’t stay on the floor together very long. Huntley-Hatfield was subbed out just minutes into the game, shifting Middlebrooks into the post and Styles to the power forward spot.

“There’s not another guy who wants to play more than him,” Keatts said after the loss. “Then, obviously, it changes our team. I thought we did enough in the first half where it didn’t show up, but in the second half, as the game went along, you could tell we needed his body.”

Though he didn’t have explosive numbers in the loss, Middlebrooks contributed a handful of ball deflections and drew a handful of fouls. His presence helped N.C. State compete, even if the team couldn’t keep up.

Breon Pass plays in 100th game

With 2:15 remaining in the first half, Breon Pass turned around, faced Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes and made a 3 symbol with his hand after hitting a shot from the right wing. That was his only shot of the day.

Pass played in his 100th career game. As a senior, he has spent his entire career at N.C. State and developed into a regular contributor. He leads the team in 3-point shooting, hitting shots at a 53.8% clip. He does not qualify to be among the NCAA’s rankings, because he plays a limited role, but Pass has become a specialist for the Pack.

Pass contributed an assist as well.