North Carolina State is in a difficult position and in desperate need of a good result.
The next chance in what might be termed a rehabilitation stage for the Wolfpack comes against UNC Asheville on Saturday afternoon in Raleigh, N.C.
NC State (5-3) has lost three of four games since last playing at home. The Wolfpack have a two-game losing streak for the first time this season.
“We’re in a tough spot. We got to fight our way out,” NC State coach Will Wade said. “We put ourselves in it. We got to dig ourselves out, and we will.”
The Wolfpack recorded season lows for points and shooting percentage (40.6%) in Wednesday night’s 83-73 loss at No. 20 Auburn.
UNC Asheville (4-4) is coming off Tuesday’s 82-77 victory against UNC Greensboro, which also is a team that NC State defeated earlier in the season.
The Wolfpack will look to get forward Darrion Williams back on track. He was the team’s fourth-leading scorer with 11 points in the Auburn game, going 1-for-5 from 3-point range. Tre Holloman made a season-high four 3-pointers in the game.
NC State’s defense has been up to a certain level. The Wolfpack benefited from 20 Auburn turnovers and had a season-high 14 steals in the game.
“If we can keep making progress, I think we’ll like where we’ll be,” Wade said.
UNC Asheville, which is 0-3 in road games, will be facing its only power-conference opponent of the season.
“We’re just looking for growth,” Bulldogs coach Mike Morrell said.
UNCA had four double-figure scorers in back-to-back games, led by Toyaz Solomon’s 20 points on Tuesday. The Bulldogs used only three reserves versus UNC Greensboro, so NC State is bound to roll out more players with a chance to make depth a factor.
Solomon, who averages 16.9 points and 6.4 rebounds, was the Preseason Player of the Year for the Big South, so that gives the Bulldogs some firepower.
“I think he’s very deserving of that,” Morrell said. “I think he’s the best player in the league. Had a great year last year.”
NC State went 1-2 in the Maui Invitational before the loss to Auburn. The Wolfpack’s motive will be to have gained valuable experience from those outings.
“We got to learn some lessons and get ready to get ready to move forward,” Wade said.
