OPPONENT PREVIEW: Miami
We take an in-depth look at NC State's next hoops opponent, the Miami Hurricanes.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
| # | Position | Name | Height | Weight | Stats |
| 02 | G | Isaiah Wong | 6’3 | 185 | 15.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg |
| 23 | G | Kam McGusty | 6'5 | 190 | 18.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg |
| 03 | G | Charlie Moore | 5’11 | 180 | 10.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg |
| 21 | F | Sam Waardenburg | 6’10 | 225 | 7.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg |
| 11 | F | Jordan Miller | 6'7 | 195 | 6.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg |
KEY RESERVES
| # | Position | Name | Height | Weight | Stats |
| 55 | G | Wooga Poplar | 6'5 | 195 | 4.7 ppg, 1.5 apg |
| 01 | F | Anthony Walker | 6'9 | 215 | 5.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg |
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Guard Isaiah Wong: One of the top individual talents in the ACC, Wong is considered Miami’s go-to player.
Outstanding in pick-and-roll situations, he’s wired to score and can do so on all three levels, although this season he has struggled with his three-point shot.
Keeping him from around the rim is critical for NC State’s defense.
Guard Kam McGusty: McGusty has always been talented but Miami had been waiting for him to break out and it’s happening.
The team's leading scorer and second in rebounding, McGusty is athletic and versatile.
He leads the team with 20 made three-pointers and is shooting 39% from three-point range.
X-FACTOR
Forward Sam Waardenburg: Miami’s weakness is frontcourt depth, as the Canes have just two players in the rotation over 6-foot-5 so keeping Waardenburg, who can battle foul trouble, on the court will be critical.
He’s often playing the five position for the Canes and gives them a legit stretch open as he leads the team in 3-point shooting (42%).
Look for State to try and attack Waardenburg defensively, but the Pack must find him on the perimeter.
QUOTE TO KNOW
“Their four perimeter starters are outstanding scorers. They can shoot the three, they can take you off the bounce one-on-one. They’re very gifted offensive players. On their bench, Casey Morsell is very similar to the starters in that he can really score the ball. Seabron is an outstanding scorer, one of the best in the league and a real challenge for any defense. But their freshman, [Terquavion] Smith, is also an incredible scorer, so you can’t just devote all your energy into Seabron. You really have to defend all four of their perimeter positions.” – Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga on NC State