Game 27 @ NC State

Well, it's the final road game of ACC season and it's down in Raleigh vs. NC State. The Wolfpack are hoping for a big crowd due to their breast cancer awareness day (which Maryland donated $4,000 to, shame on the fans at the men's game). It's our fourth straight trip to North Carolina this month and hopefully all the travel hasn't worn on the ladies.

NC State is a post-oriented team led by Tiffany Stansbury, Khadijah Washington, Sasha Reaves and Gillian Goring. They have two talented guards in Ashley Key and Billie McDowell, while Rachel Stockdale comes off the bench to shoot the 3.

NC State Roster

They are coming off a nine-point win over Clemson and have won three straight and are 6-6 in the conference and 16-9 overall. Last year, they beat us at our place, before we returned the favor at the ACC Tournament. The've lost to every ranked team but 1 so far this year.

They shoot 43.8% from the floor and 31.4% from 3. Free throw shooting is a weakness as they are only making 61.1 percent of their shots. They outrebounded their opponents and turn the ball over as much as we do. NC State is essentially a mirror of our team except they don't shoot the 3 as well and the same with free throws. Based on their stats, it seems like the posts have a hard time scoring, but the guards who can shoot from outside do well against them.

Stansbury is the leading scorer with 12.8 ppg, but she has been in the doghouse lately and is coming off the bench. McDowell and Key are next in scoring at 11.1 ppg, but Key has taken on a bigger role lately in handling the point and leading the team in scoring lately. McDowell has taken 133 three-pointers this year and has made 46. Whittington is the leading rebounder at 8.0 ppg and a fierce competitor.

NC State Stats

Keys to the Game

Establish down low. We did it so well against BC, we have to do it again against NC State. If their posts are taken out of the game, it helps us a ton.

Run them up and down the floor. They may have depth, but Stansbury, Reaves and Goring are slow and can't get back in transition.

Shay finding her road stroke. 22.3 ppg at home, but possibly under 10 on the road. Today needs to be the game where she busts out of it. After today, only 2 more home games all year.

Newman building off Thursday. Her shot looked better in the second half so hopefully the confidence continues into today's game.

Containing Key. She likes to drive and dish and we have a hard time stopping guards like that.

Don't leave McDowell open. Just keep a hand in her face the whole game, if she gets going we are in trouble.

Put the game away early and don't let them back in. This is their biggest game of the year in terms of fan support and marketing. We can't be scared and have to show why we are a top 5 team early and often.

Game Notes
Maryland | NC State