Rested NC State looks to shake off rust vs. Rider

Field Level Media|published: Sun 22nd December, 08:32 2024

Dec 14, 2024; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Ben Middlebrooks (34) is fouled by Kansas Jayhawks center Hunter Dickinson (1) during the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

North Carolina State has had time to assess some of its recent shortcomings, and with the bulk of the Atlantic Coast Conference schedule approaching, Sunday would be a good day for coach Kevin Keatts to get a look at his refreshed team.

The Wolfpack will play their last non-conference game when hosting Rider at Raleigh, N.C.

NC State (7-4), a loser of four of its past six games, has been off since a Dec. 14 loss at then-No. 10 Kansas.

"When we don't have two or three of our good guys play well, it's a long night for us," Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts said. "What I'm trying to do is get guys to do other things when they're not scoring the basketball."

NC State has won 19 of its past 20 non-conference home games, with the exception coming earlier this month against Texas.

Rider (4-8), mired in a six-game losing streak, has a quick turnaround after Friday's 79-66 setback at Penn.

A rapid change of fortunes might not be in the works for the Broncs until rough spots are sorted out.

"It's not registering with this team yet," Rider coach Kevin Baggett said. "It's not ingrained in them yet."

NC State is tops among Atlantic Coast Conference teams with a plus-4.6 rate in turnover margin. The Wolfpack have averaged 21 points per game off turnovers in their seven wins this season.

The Broncs allowed only two points off their turnovers in the Penn game. But other glitches surfaced.

"A lot of it was self-inflicted," Baggett said. "We make mistakes on offense and defense. Too many breakdowns. Things we work on in practice, things we watch on film."

Perhaps the good thing for the Broncs came with Zion Cruz's season-high 16 points Friday night. That included two 3-point baskets.

Marcus Hill has been a good source of offense for NC State, posting 16.3 points per game across the team's past four outings.

Getting Michael O'Connell untracked could boost the Wolfpack. O'Connell has a total of 14 points across the past four games.

"I'm not worried about him," Keatts said of O'Connell. "Here's the thing about him. He's really tough on himself. He'll figure it out."

--Field Level Media

Latest