State 87, Central 59

Stats by StatSheet.com

Stats by StatSheet.com

If you look at the game flow chart above, you can see that the game was statistically over at the 7:08 mark.

You wouldn't know it based on the first three minutes of the game, in which the Pack fell behind 10-2 at home against the worst team in Division 1 basketball.

You also wouldn't know it watching State turn the ball over 20 times. After three solid games of protecting the basketball, sloppy, silly basketball made a return to Raleigh. State's point guard triumvirate of Julius Mays, Javier Gonzalez and Farnold Degand combined for 10, and Ben McCauley added another four just for good measure (peer pressure is a b*tch, I guess?).

I could try breaking this game down further. I won't. The team seemed as disinterested in playing it as I am right now in analyzing it and it showed in their slow start and sloppy play. A 28-point win is nice, but when you struggle to do so against the weakest team in America, it rings hollow.

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A look at NC Central; or, Let's just this over with

Out of 344 Division 1 teams, KenPom.com has them rated dead last.

Stats by StatSheet.com

Look...I hate being the guy to say things like "Games like this are beneath us," and "There's no good reason for us to waste our time playing a team like this," but games like this are beneath us and there's no good reason to waste our time playing a team like this.

(Continues)

I hate saying stuff like that because it sounds eerily like the sorts of things that get spewed from our blue brethren to the west. But when it comes to basketball, teams literally don't get any worse than the Central Eagles. There's not much State could gain from playing this game, other than to let Kaycee Obi-Gwacham throw down a windmill or whatnot.

I would say this would be the perfect opportunity to let Javi Gonzalez see some major minutes, but last night Coach Sidney Lowe hinted that there are things other than his health and practice habits keeping him off the court. So don't look for him to play any/much, either.

I suppose Johnny Thomas could get some major minutes for conditioning sake. Perhaps Dennis Horner can work on his interior or perimeter game some (both could use improvement). But beyond that, I really don't see how this will be an entertaining game beyond the 15:00 mark of the first half.

If you're looking for scoring from the Eagles, look for it from freshman guard Jamar Briscoe. His points-per-game average has been steadily trending upward, and he now averages 16.2 points per game to lead the Eagles.

Get in, get a win, get out with no injuries.

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