North Carolina State is in a tough spot and desperately needs a good result.
The next chance in what might be called a rehab stage for the Wolfpack comes against UNC Asheville Saturday afternoon in Raleigh, North Carolina.
NC State (5-3) has lost three of four games since its last home game. The Wolfpack is on a two-game losing streak for the first time this season.
“We’re in a tough situation. We have to fight our way through,” NC State coach Will Wade said. “We got into it. We have to get through it, and we will.”
The Wolfpack posted season lows in scoring and shooting percentage (40.6%) in Wednesday night’s 83-73 loss at No. 20 Auburn.
UNC Asheville (4-4) is coming off Tuesday’s 82-77 victory over UNC Greensboro, which is also a team that NC State beat earlier in the season.
The Wolfpack will look to get forward Darrion Williams back on track. He was the team’s fourth leading scorer with 11 points in the Auburn game, going 1 of 5 from 3-point range. Tre Holloman made a season-high four 3-pointers.
NC State’s defense has reached a certain level. The Wolfpack benefited from 20 Auburn turnovers and had a game-high 14 steals.
“If we can continue to progress, I think we’ll like where we’re at,” Wade said.
UNC Asheville, which is 0-3 in away games, will face its only power conference opponent of the season.
“We’re just looking for growth,” Bulldogs coach Mike Morrell said.
UNCA has scored four double-digit goals in consecutive games, led by Toyaz Solomon’s 20 points on Tuesday. The Bulldogs only used three reserves against UNC Greensboro, so NC State is forced to deploy more players with a chance to make depth a factor.
Solomon, who averages 16.9 points and 6.4 rebounds, was the preseason player of the year for the Big South, giving the Bulldogs some firepower.
“I think he really deserves this,” Morrell said. “I think he’s the best player in the league. He had a great year last year.”
NC State went 1-2 in the Maui Invitational before the loss to Auburn. The Wolfpack’s motivation will be to have gained valuable experience through these outings.
“We need to learn some lessons and get ready to move forward,” Wade said.
–Field level media
