Preview: Oklahoma State and NC State

Photo Attribution: US Presswire

Vitals

Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Puerto Rico
TV: ESPN2
Online TV: here
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Online radio: here
Announcers: Doug Sherman and Dino Gaudio
Line:NC State -9.5

Records

Cowboys – 3-0
Wolfpack – 3-0

Best win (KenPom ranking)

Cowboys – Tennessee (69)
Wolfpack – UMass (66)

Worst loss

Cowboys – [fill in Ford joke here]
Wolfpack – n/a

KenPom rank

Cowboys – 42nd
Wolfpack – 15th

Data nerds

[table id=58 /]

Adj. efficiency – Points per 100 possessions (adjusted for quality of opponent and site of game).
Adj. tempo – Possessions per game (adjusted for schedule and pace of other team).
Effective FG % – Takes into account extra value of 3s.
Turnover % – Turnovers divided by possessions.

Three things to watch

1. Massive W – This would be OSU’s biggest non-conference win since beating Pitt in double OT in OKC in 2007 when they were ranked 13th in KenPom’s rankings.

2. Can OSU keep NC State off balance? – North Carolina is incredibly efficient (their 63.2 effective FG percentage ranks 4th in the country[1. Effective FG % takes into account that three pointers are worth more than two pointers so you get almost double rewarded for hitting three balls than mid-range jumpers…it makes sense]. OSU’s 38.3 effective FG percentage against is also one of the best in the country. Should be a good matchup.

3. Will Jurick show up again? – The big man was terrific against Tennessee and really affected the way the game was played. NC State’s best player, guard Lorenzo Brown, loves getting into the lane and putting up shots or dishing to open guys. Can Jurick help defend him and force some points the other way? He’ll have to for OSU to win.

Predictions

KP (Porter): North Carolina State 69-62
KP (KenPom): North Carolina State 72-67 (67%)