NC State Basketball: 3 keys for the ACC opener vs. Miami

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 01: Markell Johnson #11 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack talks with head coach Kevin Keatts against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images /

2. The Wolfpack must crash the offensive glass

Another key for the Wolfpack, if they want to earn a road win, will be how well they control the offensive glass.

Keatts’ team has shot the ball amazingly well so far this season from inside and outside the arc so there hasn’t been much of an opportunity for second-chance possessions. When the Wolfpack do miss a shot, they have been really good at snatching the rebound for a second possession.

They grab 12.85 offensive rebounds per game which is the 4th best number in the ACC and 41st best in the country. As a team, the Wolfpack has six players that have pulled down double-figure offensive rebounds, with Dorn, junior guard C.J. Bryce, and sophomore forward DJ Funderburk all grabbing over 20 each.

For Miami, they snag 26 defensive rebounds per game which puts them in the middle of the pack nationally. Seniors Anthony Lawrence II and Ebuka Izundu lead the team, grabbing 138 of the team’s defensive rebounds.

If N.C. State can contain Lawrence II and Izundu on the defensive end, thus exploiting the advantage they have as an offensive-rebounding team, the Hurricanes may not end up with enough possessions to hang with the Wolfpack if they aren’t matching them shot for shot.

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