Pack Just Can't Win on the Road

NC State survived Miami's comeback bid on Sunday afternoon, but they weren't as fortunate Tuesday night against Clemson. After leading by as much as 19 in the first half over the Tigers, State (12-8, 2-4) went cold in what turned out to be a 60-50 win for Clemson (14-6, 3-3) at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Just how cold did they go? The Pack scored a season low 16 points in the second half, and shot under 40 percent for the game. Senior forward Tracy Smith was the Pack's only double-figure scorer, finishing with 13 points and 5 rebounds.

NC State is now 1-5 on the road (0-3) in the conference. There is no chance this team makes the NCAA tournament without winning a few road games- and they only have five of their final ten games remaining at home. This is about as bad of a loss as they could have possible had in the game before heading to Chapel Hill Saturday.

NC State appeared very confident early, but folded as Clemson got hot from the floor. NC State, like they do in almost every game, went through their usual slump. During this stretch Clemson went on a 16-0 run, digging themselves out of a seven point hole and putting away the Pack in the final ten minutes.

NC State is a team led by their forwards in the paint, when they don't succeed, the team doesn't either. Smith's 13 were the only thing the Pack's big men had to build off of. After scoring a career high 17 points in Sunday's win over Miami, sophomore forward Richard Howell disappeared. He would be held scoreless in 25 minutes, and was 0-4 from the floor. Sophomore DeShawn Painter scored two points, but managed to foul out in just eight minutes of play. Freshman C.J. Leslie had his worst game of the season, as he was held scoreless in 13 minutes- though he's been battling the flu the last few days and it seemed to slow him down in the game and last Sunday against Miami.

Freshmen guards Ryan Harrow and Lorenzo Brown each scored nine points and were very instrumental in the Pack's fast start, but neither could contain Demontez Stitt on the defensive end in the second half. Stitt abused the Pack's guards en route to a game high 17 points.

The Pack's wings players, who have silently been the glue for Sidney Lowe's team, each struggled to find a rhythm in the ballgame. Sophomore Scott Wood and junior C.J. Williams both started, but were each held to just six points. Wood finished just 2-7 from the floor- all from beyond the arc. Clemson covered him and stayed in his face the whole night, and he never got a good look in his 36 minutes of play. Both of his threes were with a hand in his face. Williams shot 3-5 from the floor, but only played 21 minutes after getting his second straight start.

The Pack's RPI rating, which had gotten up to 83, could have moved up into the 70s with a win, which nears bubble team status. But the loss dropped the Pack back to 92, and in desperate need of a win Saturday. Even the most optimistic of State fans can't really expect State to win that game. They'll come in with no momentum, an 0-3 road record in conference games, and play in an arena where they have yet to win at under Coach Lowe. There's more to come on this game in a preview on Friday.

NC State has three days off to regroup and get healthy. They will need everyone to step up if they want to right this ship, and come close to meeting the expectations that were put before them coming into the season.