Disappointing draw IMO. 3rd time playing NC State in the Challenge since 2012. Projected 10th in the ACC and outside the top 40 nationally by Three Man Weave, was hoping for a bigger matchup.
Here’s 3MW’s preview of the ACC, which includes the NC State overview.
Nice link. They have good wings and a solid scoring big, but replacing Markelle Johnson will be tough. He was the guy in the back court.
NCSU has pretty consistently been good enough to win 20 games or so under Keatts but never really good enough to be taken seriously as a contender.
Definitely a game UM should feel comfortable about at home. But should at least be a decent win if they get it.
Reading that preview it will be interesting to see how Michigan does against that defense. NC State runs shooters off the 3 point line and has great shot blocking in the front court, but they don’t rebound the ball. Honestly doesn’t seem like the best matchup for Michigan, theoretically taking away one of Michigan’s strengths (shooting) and the biggest weakness being something Michigan isn’t expected to be able to exploit (bad defensive rebounding).
They were 45th in 3pt rate allowed last year. They focus on preventing threes, but really don’t do it at an elite level where I’d be worried about them preventing Michigan from getting up a lot of threes.
Way too early prediction: ACC 8-6
B1G wins: Iowa, Rutgers, Purdue, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan
ACC wins: Duke, Notre Dame, VTech, Virginia, FSU, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Pitt