Virginia travels to NC State: Game Thread

by Brian J. Leung on Jan 28, 2012 5:30 PM EST in Virginia Basketball

Virginia Cavaliers at N.C. State Wolfpack, Jan 28, 2012 8:00 PM EST

What: No. 19/21 Virginia Cavaliers (16-3, 3-2 ACC) vs. N.C. State Wolfpack (15-6, 4-2 ACC)

Time: 8:00 p.m.
Date: January 28, 2012
Place: RBC Center
TV: ESPN 2
Radio: Virginia Sports Radio Network

Spread: NC State -1.5, Pomeroy: Virginia 61-60 (57%)
Last Meeting: Virginia 69, NC State 58
Last Time Out: NC State 55, UNC 74
Series: NC State leads 80-57

Weren't we just here less than 48 hours ago? Virginia plays game two of their three-in-six-days stretch tonight against a Wolfpack squad still reeling from their drudging by Carolina, also just two nights ago.

State is just one ACC win away from tying its conference record from all of last season. The four wins haven't been against the cream of the crop in the conference (Maryland, Clemson, Wake and Boston College), while the Wolfpack also lost to struggling Georgia Tech. (The flip side of this coin is that Virginia's three conference wins have been against GT, BC and Miami, while losing to previously winless Virginia Tech.)

Tonight could be a bit of a disaster for Virginia if the Hoos are not able to contain Scott Wood, State's starting small forward who averages 13.2 points per game (side note: State has five players all averaging double-digit scoring) and who leads the conference in both 3-point field goal percentage (.444) and 3-pointers made (56, 2.8 per game). Oh, he's also perfect from the line this year and is on a school-record 58 straight, dating back to last season.

Let's talk about Scott Wood. Does anyone know anything about this on a personal level? Because he produced one of the strangest interviews I've ever heard, following the Carolina loss. When asked how it feels to have never beaten Carolina, his response was, "I don't know, has your wife ever cheated on you? That's probably about how frustrating it is."

Wait. What?

There still hasn't been any explanation for the comment, but that's neither here nor there. State offers two big men for Virginia to battle against, both of whom are fully capable of scoring, something we didn't see from either Virginia Tech or Boston College. Sophomore forward C.J. Leslie (6-8, 209 lbs) averages 12.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, while junior forward/center Richard Howell (6-8, 250 lbs... 250!) averages 11.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.

Mike Scott and Akil Mitchell will have their hands completely full. State likely views today's game as a "must win," as they look to protect their home court and notch their first win over a ranked opponent. A win today for the Wolfpack would push them to be considered at least a legitimate team within the conference and likely a tournament team. A loss probably won't crush them as they face BC, Wake and Georgia Tech next and should be able to build up a little momentum.

For Virginia, every game is important as the Hoos try to jockey their way into ACC title contention, battling with Florida State to be crowned the prince of the conference.

Leave your pre-, in- and post-game thoughts here, as well as any awesome gifs, and Go HOOS!

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Comments

Checking in, 20 miles from Raleigh

Living in the Triangle, and having roommate who is as big an NC State fan as I am a UVa fan..as well of lots of other NC State alum friends, this game is going to seriously affect how much fun I get to have over the next few days. I’ve already got my jersey on, ridiculous UVa flip flops ready to go, and snazzy “Go Hoos” hair ribbon in. ha. Go Hoos!!!

More related to the game, having watched a good bit of State games this season (including the UNC/State beatdown in person), I hope Scott Wood plays like he did on Thursday. He missed a couple wide open 3s vs UNC, and obviously doesn’t do that very often. He still hit 33% from 3, but if we can get him to miss a couple of the ones were he gets away from us, that would be outstanding, especially feeling like the 3s have been falling from everywhere the last couple games for our opponents.

by UVaKareBear on Jan 28, 2012 5:40 PM EST reply actions

By design

We kind of give up a lot of open threes — that’s just part of the packline defense. Wood worries me more than anyone else on the team (though their big men worry me too), but like you said, hopefully he’s going to have an off-night. For all of our sake, but also so you don’t have to put up with obnoxious Pack fans.

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by Brian J. Leung on Jan 28, 2012 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

Checking in 10 miles from Raleigh

Hoo Crew running a bus of students down to the RBC Center for the game. I’ll try and check in as time and phone battery allow.

Really excited for the game, it’s a big “50-50” type game that we could count as a huge one of we pull it off. With State’s dependence on transition points, it seems like it should be a good matchup for us. Let’s close out hard on those 3’s, let our free throw defense do its thing, and get outta here with a W.

Go hoos!

by Brian Schwartz on Jan 28, 2012 6:05 PM EST reply actions