NC State (12-4, 2-3 ACC)
vs. Virginia Tech (11-4, 1-3 ACC)
January 7, 2023
Cassell Coliseum
7:30 p.m. ET
RSN
Virginia Tech Sports Network
BLACKSBURG – The Hokies return to Cassell Coliseum on Saturday night against NC State in an attempt to put a trio of narrow ACC losses behind them. Evan Lepler and Brian Oliver will be on the call for RSN at 7:30 p.m., while Zach Mackey and Mike Burnop provide coverage for the Virginia Tech Sports Network.
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SCOUTING THE WOLFPACK
- NC State is coming off a signature win against No. 16 Duke, 84-60, on Wednesday night. The Wolfpack had two 20+ scorers in the victory - Terquavion Smith and Jarkel Joiner - that combined to shoot 9-18 from beyond the arc.
- Smith leads the Wolfpack and is second in the ACC in scoring this season with 18.4 points per game. The 2022 ACC All-Rookie team member comes in fifth in the league in 3-point field-goal percentage at 35.3%.
- As a whole, NC State ranks second in the ACC in scoring with 79.8 points per game, although it sits middle of the pack in field-goal percentage at 45.5%.
The Series
- Despite winning four of the last five matchups, Tech trails NC State in the all-time series, 41-19.
- They split the season series in 2021-22, with each side winning on the road. The Wolfpack edged VT, 68-63, in Blacksburg on Jan. 4 before Tech downed NC State, 62-59, in Raleigh on Jan. 19. Justyn Mutts had 13 points and nine boards, and Sean Pedulla hit a pair of late free throws to key Tech to the road victory. The Hokies opened that game by scoring the first 15 points.
- Tech is 10-13 all-time against the Wolfpack in Blacksburg.
- Mike Young is 2-1 against NC State as Tech's head coach.
HOKIE HEADLINES
- Tech will look to improve to 9-1 at home this season when the Wolfpack visits Cassell Coliseum on Saturday.
- Despite their current three-game skid, the Hokies remain in a strong position in a number of rankings, including the NET (No. 41).
- Sean Pedulla continues to lead the Hokies in scoring (17.1), which ranks fifth in the ACC.
- In ACC-only games, Justyn Mutts is one of two players in the league to rank in the top six in scoring (18.5 – 6th) and rebounding (9.8 – 5th). He's also 3rd in FG% at 56.1%.
CRASHING THE GLASS
- Tech has out-rebounded its opponent in each of its last three games.
- In ACC-only games, the Hokies lead the league with 41.3 rebounds per game and rebounding margin (+6.5).
- Tech has registered seven games of double-digit offensive rebounds, including two of the last three games.
- The Hokies are averaging 11.8 offensive rebounds per game in league play and boast a 31.5% offensive rebound percentage, which rank third and second, respectively, in the ACC.
UP NEXT
- The Hokies hit the road for a three-game road stretch beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 11 against Syracuse.