Working overtime: Three takeaways from NC State basketball’s OT win over Florida State
N.C. State’s return to the floor represented a chance to do a few things Saturday: pick up its first win of the season over a major power program, open conference play with a victory, and show this team can finish tough matchups.
The Wolfpack succeeded on all fronts, and did so with Style(s).
Behind a monster second half from North Carolina/Georgetown transfer Dontrez Styles, N.C. State defeated Florida State, 84-74, in overtime at Lenovo Center. Styles finished with 21 points, five rebounds and two steals. He hit a pair of 3s — one with 43 seconds left in regulation and another with 2:33 in overtime — to lift the Pack (6-3, 1-0 ACC) over the Seminoles (7-3, 0-1).
N.C. State took a two-possession lead to start the game before Florida State responded. The Seminoles made three straight baskets, turning a 5-0 Wolfpack lead into a 7-5 advantage.
Both squads were relatively efficient from the field overall, with the Pack shooting 28 of 54 (51.9%) while the Seminoles made 23 of 54 (43.6%).
The majority of N.C. State’s scoring came from its guard play after FSU shut down Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and Ben Middlebrooks in the middle for much of the first half. Middlebrooks scored two points on two field goal attempts, while Huntley-Hatfield didn’t take a shot.
N.C. State’s offense remained efficient in the second half but it struggled to keep its foot on the gas against the Seminoles.
Florida State went on a 9-0 run and hit a 3-pointer with 12:37 remaining in the game, giving the Seminoles their first lead of the day. Much of FSU’s success came at the line.
Officials were generous with the whistle in the Wolfpack’s ACC opener. The two teams were called for a combined 16 fouls and took 23 free throw attempts in the first half. The teams finished with a combined 38 fouls and 58 free throw attempts.
The ‘Noles went 25 of 29 on free throws, keeping it competitive down the stretch.
Additionally, Florida State’s comeback was fueled by rebounding. The Wolfpack dominated the boards in the first half and out-rebounded the Seminoles, 16-11, including four offensive rebounds. It controlled the lane and held Florida State scoreless on second chance opportunities. It looked like the problems N.C. State had been facing were potentially in the rearview mirror.
The Seminoles’ size and length appeared to impact N.C. State in the second half, where it struggled to keep up and FSU was the aggressor.
Malique Ewin led the Seminoles in regulation, scoring 23 points on 11 of 14 shooting and nine rebounds. Ewin fouled out of the game with 1:51 remaining in the game. N.C. State held Jamir Watkins to just four field goals, but he finished with 24 points after shooting 16 of 17 from the line.
Marcus Hill led the Pack in scoring with 23 points. He added six rebounds and two assists.
Here are three takeaways from the Wolfpack’s win in the ACC opener:
NC State still lacks fluidity with Taylor
Jayden Taylor is the Wolfpack’s leading scorer, but the team lacks a sense of offensive cohesion when he’s on the floor.
Part of his ineffectiveness comes from indecision or trying to play hero ball. Instead of making decisive passes, he often tries to out-play opponents 1-on-1. Sometimes it works, but sometimes it means he ends up forcing shots or turning the ball over.
It also means he takes far more 3s than he probably should. Taylor entered the game 9 of 35 (.237) from the perimeter.
Taylor leads the team with 24 turnovers this season, but it’s a “chicken or egg” situation. Does he have so many turnovers because he tries to be the primary playmaker or does he play 1v1 and take big shots because he’s afraid of turning the ball over?
Regardless of the reason, N.C. State needs the senior to make better reads — to know when it’s better to play ISO ball or make an extra pass — if it wants to find a consistent rhythm this season.
Breon Pass hits timely 3s
Despite the Wolfpack’s efficiency on layups, the Seminoles’ length disrupted the overall offensive rhythm. Guard Breon Pass helped alleviate some of the struggles.
Pass hit a 3-pointer to put the Wolfpack up 12-9 early in the first half after Florida State tied the game at nine as the shot clock ended. He added a second 3 — also at the tail end of the possession — with three minutes remaining in the half. The senior’s bucket put N.C. State up six.
He leads the team in 3-point shooting percentage. Pass entered the game 5 of 11 (.455). He exits Lenovo Center 7 of 13 (.538) on the season.
In a game of momentum, Pass’ buckets were instrumental and it’ll be interesting to see where he can come up clutch as the ACC schedule progresses.
NC State free throws show progress
N.C. State led by as many as four points and had a chance to beat Texas on Wednesday. The Longhorns ultimately defeated the Wolfpack — by four. The biggest culprit came at the free throw line. The Wolfpack finished 6 of 14 from the stripe, its lowest efficiency and total free throw total of the season.
The Pack struggled again, though not quite as badly, against the Seminoles. N.C. State entered the game 116 of 167 (.695) from the charity stripe. It finished 20 of 29 (.690), and went 5 of 6 (.833) in overtime. It wasn’t great, but the shots came at the most important times.
Styles went 4 of 4 from the line and Hill, who went 1 of 4 against Texas, finished 8-for-10 against Florida State.
That has to count for something.
This story was originally published December 7, 2024 at 7:21 PM.
