Boston College and North Carolina State meet on Saturday afternoon in Raleigh, N.C., and the game has significant postseason implications within the Atlantic Coast Conference.
That’s because only 15 of the 18 teams in the expanded league will qualify for the ACC tournament. The two teams facing off in Raleigh both are in danger of being left out.
NC State (9-15, 2-11 ACC) has lost nine games in a row. Boston College (10-14, 2-11) has a three-game skid, including Wednesday night’s 97-94 defeat in double-overtime to Notre Dame after a triple-overtime setback at Syracuse.
“It has been tough,” Boston College coach Earl Grant said. “As they continue to go through these situations, hopefully we’re in these situations again. You learn from your past experiences and you find a way to win these games.”
NC State had more misery with Wednesday night’s 91-66 home loss to Louisville. Trey Parker had 13 points for the Wolfpack in that outing and has led the team in scoring in consecutive games.
“If you could give us one label, I would say we are very inconsistent in our play,” NC State coach Kevin Keatts said.
Amid all of the Wolfpack’s frustrations, there have been encouraging moments from younger players. Parker, a freshman, has scored in double figures in four games — with three of those coming across the past five outings.
“If you want one bright spot, I thought Trey Parker is getting better,” Keatts said.
Senior Breon Pass had 12 points in the Louisville game, marking his career high against an ACC opponent.
Brandon Huntley-Hatfield was back in the NC State lineup this week after a three-game absence. He grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds.
Boston College’s woes continue to mount.
“You keep encouraging them, No. 1,” Grant said. “These guys are really trying. We’ve been in a lot of close battles. … We’ll be better because of it.”
Boston College’s Chad Venning, a grad student from St. Bonaventure, is coming off one of his most complete games with impacts at both ends of the floor. He poured in 21 points and had his third outing with four blocked shots against Notre Dame.
Venning has scored in double figures in four of his last five road outings.
–Field Level Media
