OBSERVATIONS FROM THE GAME: Duke

Once again NC State showed up when it seemed like time to count the Wolfpack out.

NC State stunned No. 2 Duke 96-85 Saturday evening in PNC Arena. It was the second straight time the Pack has beaten the Blue Devils.

State has knocked off Duke at home in 2010, 2013, 2015 and now 2018 in the first home ACC game in Kevin Keatts head coaching career. 

The victory moves the Wolfpack to 11-5 overall, 1-2 in the ACC and is a wonderful response after two lackluster losses to open the conference slate. 

HIGHLIGHTS

It would be easy to single out the fact that NC State shot a low percentage from three-point range (5-of-14 for 35.7 percent) and think that it did not play a role in the game. 

What the Wolfpack benefited from in terms of low three-point percentage was not how many the team made but the total amount taken in relation to overall shot attempts. 

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Omer Yurtseven

NC State fired 67 shots from the field and made 34 (50.7 percent. The Pack amped up the interior play in the second half, going 18-of-33 (54.5 percent) from the floor while shooting 3-of-7 (42.9 percent) from behind the arch. 

The total amount of shots NC State took from three-point range for the contest amounts to 20.9 percent of their overall shot total. That is a recipe for success, even against an outstanding interior team like Duke. 

* Perhaps the most important shooting of all came from the free-throw line. NC State quietly made 23-of-25 (92 percent) foul shots. It was important as Duke, who made 20-of-23 (87 percent) and all 14 attempts in the second half, was neutralized from the charity stripe. 

* The interior work of Omer Yurtseven, Abdul-Malik Abu, and Lennard Freeman was effective. After the game, Keatts stated that he feels like he has three starters in the frontcourt with the trio. It was especially pivotal late as everytime one would foul out, the next man up would come in and pick up right where it was left off.

Yurtseven and Abu both were disqualified in the second half but NC State actually continued to pull away. 

* Allerik Freeman has been a source of consternation for many Wolfpack faithful. His numbers will not blow anyone away. He made 4-of-12 field goals, but he did drill all seven of his free throws and never seemed to force the game against Duke, a contrast from earlier efforts. 

Going forward, he can create off the dribble and penetrate. Drawing contact can be a weapon since he shoots free throws well and can impact the game by creating foul woes for the opposition.

On Saturday, Al Freeman was the player NC State need him to be. 

* Torin Dorn Jr. tied Yurtseven with a team-high 16 points, including two three-points and a late four-point play to kill the game off.

* Braxton Beverly added 14 points and five assists in 33 minutes, including a late three with less than three minutes remaining to double NC State’s lead to six.

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Lavar Batts Jr.

* Lavar Batts Jr. finished with seven points and five assists without committing a turnover. Sam Hunt made a massive three-pointer during a 15-0 NC State run to give the Wolfpack the lead. 

* This, along with the emphasis on inside play, has to be an identity for this NC State team. The Wolfpack does not have a Marvin Bagley-type, few teams do, but Keatts should be able to draw on depth and have the ability to ride a hot hand. Mike Krzyzewski lamented Duke’s lack of depth after the game and there is little doubt that State, with a 25-4 advantage in bench points, used it to great effect. 

* On a side note, the aforementioned Marvin Bagley III is legitimately great. His skill set will fit perfectly in the NBA as he demonstrated time and time again Saturday. He finished with 31 points (11-of-14 field goal, 9-of-11 free throw) and 10 rebounds and drove to the basket in isolation with aplomb. It will be easier for Wolfpack Nation to handle the superb play of Bagley after a NC State win but there should be some justifiable appreciation for what he can be. 

The Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics are the teams currently most likely to be awarded the top pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. The one that gets Bagley will have a bonafide All-Star. 

LOWLIGHTS

N/A. Keatts will find things that need improving but save it for another day. NC State knocked off a rival and the second-ranked team nationally.

The Dave Doeren 24-hour rule is in effect. Enjoy the victory. 

PACK +/-

+/- is the points scored by a team minus the points allowed by a team while a certain player is on the floor.

Sam Hunt: +16
Lennard Freeman: +15
Lavar Batts Jr.: +13
Allerik Freeman: +8
Abdul-Malik Abu: +3
Torin Dorn Jr.: +3
Omer Yurtseven: -1
Braxton Beverly: -2

STAT OF THE GAME

Abdul-Malik Abu, Lennard Freeman and Omer Yurtseven combined: 39 points (18-of-30 field goals, 3-of-4 free throws), 16 rebounds, three blocks and three steals

QUOTE OF THE GAME

"To come back from a 30-point loss and respond like this as a team is an amazing feeling. We had three big men that just had to rotate. Every big man had to do a certain job and we all excelled at it. I would say this is one of my best games, yes.” -- Omer Yurtseven

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NC State's fans rushed the court after the huge win.