NOTEBOOK + PREVIEW: NC State vs. Clemson
NC State returns to action today in PNC Arena against Clemson. Here are some pregame notes on the Wolfpack and a preview of the Tigers.
NC STATE NOTEBOOK
Pack Tracks
- NC State snapped its five-game losing streak Tuesday evening with a 68-63 win over Virginia Tech. The Pack trailed by four at halftime but used an 18-2 run midway through the second half to take a 52-43 lead with 12:28 to go. The Hokies retook the lead with a 9-0 run to go up 59-58 with 4:54 to go. The Pack responded with an 8-0 run, holding VT without a point for over four minutes, to go up 66-59 with under a minute to play.
- Redshirt sophomore guard Dereon Seabron posted his ninth double-double of the season with game-highs in points (21) and rebounds (10). He also tied for team-high honors with three assists.
- Senior forward Jericole Hellems scored eight of his 15 points during the Pack’s 18-2 second half run. He added five rebounds and a team-high tying two steals. Hellems has scored in double figures in 11 of the last 12 games.
- Freshman guard Terquavion Smith added 17 points and seven rebounds in the win over the Hokies. The Greenville, N.C. native made four three-pointers against Virginia Tech and has now made 11 in the last two games. Smith moved into the starting lineup for the Louisville game and has scored in double figures in eight consecutive games since joining the starting lineup. As a starter, Smith is averaging 18.9 points per game and has connected on 27 three-pointers (3.4 per game) and is shooting 41.5 percent from long-range. With 40 three-pointers this season, Smith has the second-most made three-pointers by an ACC player.
Saturday Storylines
- NC State has won its last four meetings with Clemson held inside PNC Arena, but the average margin of victory for the Pack in those four wins is three points. Two of NC State’s last three wins against Clemson inside PNC Arena have been memorable finishes.
In 1/26/2019, Clemson led by six points with 24 seconds remaining, but the Pack scored the last eight points of the game, winning on a Braxton Beverly three-pointer as time expired.
On 1/11/2018, it was NC State that held a five-point lead, 76-71, with 25 seconds remaining, but Clemson came roaring back. The Tigers trailed 78-75 when Gabe DeVoe was fouled shooting a three-pointer with one second remaining. He made the first two free throws but missed the third and NC State rebounded the miss to win, 78-77.
- Overall, NC State's last 11 wins in the series over Clemson have all been by single digits. The last time NC State defeated Clemson by double digits was an 80-70 win on 1/29/2005.
Defend the Three-Point Line
Clemson leads the ACC and ranks fifth in the ACC with a three-point percentage of 41.3 percent. The Tigers average to make 8.8 three-pointers per game. In 15 games this season, NC State has only allowed over 40 percent three-point shooting in four games
NC State - Clemson Series
- Saturday is the 160th meeting between the two programs. NC State leads the all-time series, 104-55.
- NC State is 51-14 all-time at home against the Tigers, including a 10-5 mark in games played at PNC Arena.
- Kevin Keatts is 4-3 against Clemson as head coach of NC State, including 3-0 against the Tigers inside PNC Arena.
CLEMSON PREVIEW
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
| # | Position | Name | Height | Weight | Stats |
| 04 | G | Nick Honor | 5'10 | 195 | 9.7 ppg, 3.2 apg |
| 02 | G | Al-Amir Dawes | 6'2 | 182 | 11.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg |
| 13 | G | David Collins | 6'4.5 | 217 | 11.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg |
| 05 | F | Hunter Tyson | 6'8 | 215 | 12.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg |
| 24 | F | PJ Hall | 6'10 | 240 | 14.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg |
KEY RESERVES
| # | Position | Name | Height | Weight | Stats |
| 12 | G | Alex Hemenway | 6'3.5 | 195 | 5.4 ppg, 59% 3FG |
| 33 | F | Naz Bohannon | 6'6 | 232 | 4.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg |
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Forward PJ Hall: The 6-foot-10 forward is one of the most improved players in the ACC this season.
PJ Hall’s numbers have improved across the board: +10.8 in PPG, +4.1 in RPG, +1.5 in APG and has added nearly a block per game. He has increased his 3-point shooting by 20.0 percent and despite the increased work load is shooting 46.3 percent this season, including a 50.8 effective field goal percentage.
A stretch five, NC State’s bigs will need to keep him under control.
Forward Hunter Tyson: Another matchup to watch will be Jericole Hellems vs. Hunter Tyson.
The 6-foot-8 Tyson is averaging 13.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists over his last five contests, while shooting 53.7 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three. He is 77.8 percent at the foul line during that stretch.
X-FACTOR
Guard Nick Honor: The burly 5-foot-10 guard is one of three players nationally to have at least: 40.0% FG, 40.0% 3FG (min. 50 attempts), 90.0% FT and 40+ assists. He is third in the ACC and 35th nationally in assist/turnover ratio: 2.65.
NC State fans probably remember him from last season's matchup at Clemson where Honor came off the bench to have a career night, scoring a season-high 21 points while hitting 5-of-6 3-pointers in the overtime win.