B1G/ACC Challenge: Thursday Features NC State (6-1) at Nebraska (4-1)

December 2, 2015

Game 8 - (RV/RV) Nebraska | Live Stats | BTN Plus ($)

RALEIGH – Receiving votes in both national polls and off to its second 6-1 start in the last three seasons, the NC State women's basketball team prepares for another difficult early-season test when it plays at (RV/RV) Nebraska Thursday in the 2015 installment of the B1G/ACC Challenge. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. (ET) from Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

RACE TO 50
NC State head coach Wes Moore is 49-24 in the midst of his third season at NC State. If the Wolfpack wins Thursday's game at Nebraska, he will be tied for third among active ACC coaches for the fewest games required (74) to earn 50 wins at their current school. Only Jeff Walz (Louisville - 63 games), Joanne McCallie (Duke - 64), and Muffet McGraw (Notre Dame - 74) have achieved this feat as quickly or quicker than Moore.

NC State in the B1G/ACC Challenge (3-5 overall, 1-1 under Wes Moore)
December 3, 2014 … 60-55 L vs. (RV) Minnesota
December 5, 2013 … 76-61 W at (RV) Northwestern
November 29, 2012 … 68-51 L vs. Michigan State
November 30, 2011 … 76-59 L at Northwestern
December 1, 2010 … 73-57 W at Illinois
December 3, 2009 … 53-48 L vs. Wisconsin
December 5, 2008 … 63-52 L at Michigan
November 29, 2007 … 61-47 W vs. Illinois

A WIN ON THURSDAY WOULD...
-Be the 826th win in program history
-Be the 608th win (607-193) of head coach Wes Moore's career
-Be Moore's 50th win (49-24) at NC State
-Mark NC State's second 7-1 start in the last three years.

NC STATE - NEBRASKA SERIES HISTORY
-Thursday's game marks the fourth meeting between NC State and Nebraska. The Huskers hold a 2-1 advantage in the series.
-All three meetings have been played at neutral sites.
-The teams last met on December 28 at the 2006 State Farm Classic in Gainesville, Fla. Nebraska won 94-74.
-NC State's win over Nebraska came during the 2004 Paradise Jam on the US Virgin Islands. The Wolfpack downed the Huskers 55-45.

SCOUTING THE HUSKERS
-Nebraska enters Thursday's game the owner of a 4-1 record. The team is currently receiving votes in both the AP and USA Today polls.
-The Huskers' only loss came to No. 1 UConn (88-46).
-Nebraska's four wins this season have come by an average of 46.7 points.
-The Huskers return two starters from a team which went 21-11 last season and lost to Syracuse in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
-Senior guard Rachel Theriot was selected to the preseason All-Big Ten Team.

PROTECT THE BALL
As of games played November 29, NC State ranks 25th in the nation and tied for first in the ACC in turnovers per game. The Wolfpack recently had a season-low of eight in the win over UAB and is averaging only 12.7 miscues per contest. NC State's first victory of the year, Villanova, ranks first with only 7.6.

NO EASY BUCKETS
NC State's defense ranks 28th in the nation as of games played Nov. 29. The Wolfpack is only allowing opponents to score 53.3 points per game.

STARTING HOT
NC State is outscoring opponents by 61 points (134-73) in the first quarter of games this season. In the first half, State is up 246-165 (+81).

PESTERING DEFENSE
Through seven games this season, NC State has held its opponents to a 0.51 assist to turnover ratio. Wolfpack opponents have recorded a mere 59 assists against 115 turnovers.

LAYING IT ALL ON THE LINE
NC State players have taken 20 charges through the first seven games of the 2015-16 season. Jennifer Mathurin leads the team with 13, while Ashley Williams (6), and Miah Spencer (1) have taken the others.

#STATEment

B1G/ACC Challenge: Thursday Features NC State (6-1) at Nebraska (4-1)

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jennifer Mathurin

Miah Spencer

Ashley Williams