CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. — The NC State men’s basketball team overcame a long scoring drought and picked up a much-needed 53-51 ACC win Monday night at Virginia. The low-scoring game produced some interesting numbers. Here are some statistics that pop out the most.
39 — NC State’s shooting percentage as it went against the perennially elite Virginia defense. The Cavaliers’ famous pack-line defense harassed the Wolfpack all night, as it shot just 33% outside of redshirt junior forward D.J. Funderburk’s 6-for-8 night.
14 — Minutes played by graduate forward Danny Dixon, a career high. With redshirt freshman forward Manny Bates out (concussion protocol) and Funderburk fouling out with over six minutes to go, Dixon had to step into a big role. The 6-foot-10 big man took advantage, hauling in two important offensive rebounds.
6 — Turnovers committed by the Wolfpack. Although Virginia’s defense was suffocating, NC State had its best game of the season in terms of ball security. Highlighted by senior guard Markell Johnson’s turnover-free game, the Wolfpack’s ball-handlers did an excellent job avoiding live-ball turnovers, and Funderburk and Dixon avoided any low-post strips.
10 — Minutes NC State went without scoring during the second half. The Wolfpack couldn’t buy a bucket during the stretch, blowing an 11-point lead as shot after shot clanked off the rim and into Cavaliers hands.
5 — 3-pointers made by NC State. The 3-point-loving Wolfpack was able to win despite its outside shots not falling. Redshirt senior guard C.J. Bryce was the only Pack player to knock down multiple deep balls, as NC State did the majority of its work inside the arc.
8 — Points Funderburk and Dixon held Virginia star Mamadi Diakite to. The 6-foot-9 forward came into the game averaging over 13 points per game, but Funderburk and Dixon held him to just two made shots, constantly bodying him up down low and deterring any potentially easy looks.
10 — Fewer rebounds NC State had than Virginia. Without Bates down low and with Funderburk playing only 29 minutes due to fouls, the Wolfpack was severely undermanned and undersized, getting outrebounded 40-30. No one on the team corralled more than five rebounds, while three Virginia players hauled in at least seven.
