North Carolina State has been on cruise control through three games this season.
The Wolfpack look to keep the accelerator down when Virginia Commonwealth visits for Monday night’s game in Raleigh, N.C.
“It’s about to get real, real quick and we’re going to have to play better,” Wolfpack coach Will Wade said. “What worked in these games won’t work against VCU. A ton of respect for their program.”
NC State (3-0) rode career highs from Darrion Williams (32 points) and Paul McNeil Jr. (27 points) in last week’s 110-64 victory against UNC Greensboro.
“We put the work in for it,” McNeil said. “We’re always going to show you how it’s a work ethic.”
For VCU (2-1), the trip to Raleigh will be the only true road test for the Rams until January.
“The schedule is built a certain way to make sure we’re seeing a bunch of different things,” Rams coach Phil Martelli Jr. said.
Following a three-point, neutral-court loss to Utah State on Nov. 7, VCU got back on track by trouncing visiting Saint Peter’s 78-61 on Wednesday night, with five players posting double-figure point totals.
“I thought our communication was much better,” Martelli said.
The Rams have five players averaging double figures, while team assist leader Brandon Jennings isn’t on that list.
“It’s not going to be everybody’s night every time,” Martelli said. “We need it from everybody. It’s comforting to me to know when someone doesn’t have it, we have somebody else to step up.”
VCU is averaging 11 made 3-point shots per game. NC State made 16 shots from beyond the arc against UNCG.
The Wolfpack’s goal is to play at a high level to be ready for different challenges.
“We’re just playing to our standards regardless of the score, regardless of who’s in,” Williams said. “Coach made emphasis on that.”
NC State guard Tre Holloman was ejected in the first half of the UNCG game for his role in after-whistle activity. It wasn’t deemed a fight, so he should be eligible for Monday’s game.
Yet the Wolfpack could have concerns regarding Ven-Allen Lubin’s availability. He played last week despite ligament damage on his right thumb, though he’s expected to wear a less-restrictive brace for future games.
“We’re just being careful with his minutes because we’ll need him moving forward,” Wade said.
Both teams were in games with lots of free-throw opportunities last week. VCU attempted 35 vs. Saint Peter’s, while UNCG took 41 foul shots against the Wolfpack.
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