The NC State men’s basketball team dropped its fourth-straight game, 95-71, to the Florida State Seminoles on Wednesday night in Tallahassee, Florida.
The Wolfpack (14-11, 3-9 ACC) got off to a rough start, and things didn’t get much better. A flurry of easy baskets for the Seminoles (21-4, 9-3 ACC) put NC State in a 20-8 hole less than 10 minutes into the game. Florida State freshman forward Jonathan Isaac gave the Pack fits, as he notched 17 points in the first 20 minutes of action.
The Wolfpack also once again got bullied on the glass, as it was out-rebounded 49-25 by a Florida State team with plenty of size. The Noles’ collective energy on the backboards was unmatched, as the team had four different players grab at least six boards. As for the Pack, junior forward Abdul-Malik Abu and freshman forward Omer Yurtseven led the team in rebounds, but only combined for 11 boards.
Freshman guard Dennis Smith Jr. had an uncharacteristic night, and was held scoreless in the opening half for the first time this season. Seminoles junior guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes pestered Smith all night long, giving him no room to operate. Rathan-Mayes played a major role in holding the offensively potent, three-time ACC Freshman of the Week honoree to a mere eight points for the contest.
Smith tried to get his teammates involved, evidenced by his six assists on the night. However, the Pack played without any aggressiveness, often settling for questionable jump-shot attempts. NC State did not attack the basket at any point of the contest and was destroyed in the points-in-the-paint battle, 48-28.
The Pack had three players score in double-figures, but it simply was not enough to make up for what it lacked on the defensive end. Redshirt senior guard Terry Henderson led the team with 17 points on 6-of-14 shooting for the night.
Sophomore forward Maverick Rowan and Abu pitched in with 16 points apiece. Rowan played with tremendous hustle, diving for loose balls and chasing down his own missed shots. The sharpshooter showed off his versatility by putting the ball on the floor and taking it to the rack. Only one of Rowan’s seven made field goals came off of a 3-point basket.
Florida State flexed its defensive prowess, high-energy play and depth. The Seminoles displayed why many experts have them making a run in March. FSU’s head coach played 11 players for nine minutes or more and simply wore down the Wolfpack.
NC State is likely to miss the NCAA tournament, and it is slowly but surely taking itself out of contention for an NIT bid. The Wolfpack will need to win all six of its remaining games just to get to a .500 conference record.
The Wolfpack hits the road again to take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in Winston Salem Saturday at noon.
