North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Takes On West Virginia In New York City
12/19/2014 12:00:00 AM
| NC State (9-2) vs. #22/20 West Virginia (9-1) | ||
| Date | Saturday, Dec. 20 | |
| Time | 9:30 p.m. ET | |
| Location | Madison Square Garden - New York, N.Y. | |
| Tickets | Tickets | |
| Television | ESPN2 (Doug Sherman, Bob Knight) | |
| Radio | Wolfpack Sports Network (Gary Hahn, Tony Haynes) | |
| Game Notes | NC State | West Virginia | |
| Season Statistics | NC State | West Virginia | |
| Live Stats | GameTracker | |
| Social Media | @PackMensBball  | Facebook  |
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The Starting 5 - The Top 5 Storylines For This Game
1. PACK BACK IN THE GARDEN
Saturday night's contest at Madison Square Garden will be NC State's 10th appearance all-time in the "world's most famous arena." The Wolfpack is 5-4 all-time at MSG, including a 69-65 win over UConn in the 2012 Jimmy V Classic. The Pack played a pair of games there in 2004 and made the NIT semifinal at MSG in 2000. Jim Valvano brought the Pack to The Garden four times in the 1980s, posting a 3-1 record.
2. WOLFPACK BACKCOURT HOLDING COURT
NC State is led by its three-guard attack, with Trevor Lacey, Ralston Turner and Cat Barber combining to score 43.6 points and 12.8 rebounds per game. Lacey leads the team and stands fourth in the ACC with 17.2 points per game. Turner, who exploded for 33 points this week vs. Tennessee, is averaging 14.9 points per game. Barber, State's starting point guard, is scoring 11.5 per contest and leading the team in assists. Barber and Lacey are also the team's primary ballhandlers, combining for 82 assists against just 35 turnovers.
3. #WOLFPACKNYC
The NC State men's basketball program will be returning to New York City for the second time in 11 weeks. The Wolfpack was able to take an educational trip to New York City this fall. The team toured the Big Apple during the school's fall break, in accordance with NCAA rules that allow an educational trip as long as the students don't miss class time. Here are some stops the Wolfpack made in New York: Rucker Park, Amateur Night at the Apollo, the top of the Empire State Building, Motown: The Musical on Broadway, the 9/11 National Museum and Memorial, the NY Stock Exchange and the American Museum of Natural History.
4. SWAT TEAM
NC State is among the national leaders in blocked shots. The Wolfpack currently leads the ACC and charts fifth in the nation with 6.82 blocked shots per game. NCSU is led in this area by BeeJay Anya, who stands fifth in the country with 3.6 blocks per game. Earlier this season, Anya set a school record with 10 rejections in the Pack's win over Jacksonville. The Pack blocked 14 shots in that game and have seven additional outings with six or more blocks.
5. TURNOVER BATTLE WILL BE STRENGTH VS. STRENGTH
A key for NC State Saturday night will be handling West Virginia's defensive pressure. The Mountaineers lead the nation by forcing 23.0 turnovers per game. WVU forces a turnover on 32 percent of its defensive possessions. NC State has been strong with the ball this season, ranking 22nd in the nation in turnover percentage (15.2%). That mark ranks third in the ACC (behind Duke and Notre Dame).
