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The NC State women travel to Clemson to take on the Tigers in a Thursday Night ACC Match-Up. Let’s take a look at key Clemson players to watch and what NC State needs to do to counter.

1. Rusne Augustinaite – The Scoring Leader

Overview: Rusne Augustinaite has proven herself to be the scoring heartbeat of the team this season, averaging 12.2 points per game. With impressive shooting percentages of 42.9% from the field and 85.7% from the free-throw line, her ability to find the basket keeps the Tigers competitive.

What to Watch: Augustinaite’s scoring ability in clutch moments will be essential if the Tigers to beat NC State.

How NC State Can Counter: To limit Augustinaite’s scoring, NC State needs to apply tight on-ball pressure and switch defensively to force her into contested shots. Communicating effectively during screens can help disrupt her rhythm.

2. Mia Moore – The Reliable Getter

Overview: Mia Moore has been a consistent performer, averaging 11.7 points per game, and her field goal percentage of 47.7% showcases her efficiency. Additionally, her contributions of 5.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game highlight her all-around game.

What to Watch: Keep an eye on Moore’s playmaking skills, as her ability to distribute the ball will be crucial for maintaining offensive flow.

How NC State Can Counter: NC State should focus on denying Moore the ball and using aggressive traps when she has it to limit her passing options. Keeping a close eye on her off-ball movements can limit her scoring opportunities.

3. Rachael Rose – The Efficient Scorer

Overview: Rachael Rose is making her mark this season, averaging 8.9 points per game with a notable field goal percentage of 48.5%. Her rebounding contribution at 2.4 rebounds per game showcases her versatility on the court.

What to Watch: Rose’s consistency will need to be maintained for the Tigers as they look for a reliable scoring option if the main options are shut down by the Pack.

How NC State Can Counter: To counter Rose, NC State can utilize physical play to push her off her shooting spots and close out hard on her defensively. Ensuring she doesn’t have open looks will be crucial.

4. Taylor Johnson-Matthews – The Strong Contributor

Overview: Taylor Johnson-Matthews has provided solid support, averaging 8.8 points with a field goal percentage of 42.4%. Her defensive skills have also been critical for the team.

What to Watch: Watch for Johnson-Matthews’s three-point shooting. She doesn’t need to be allowed to get hot from 3.

How NC State Can Counter: NC State should extend its defense to the three-point line while focusing on closing out quickly to contest her shots. Keeping a defender in her vicinity will help limit her production.

5. Demeara Hinds – The Under-the-Radar Player

Overview: Demeara Hinds has been a pleasant surprise for the Tigers, averaging 8.8 points per game while shooting an impressive 60.2% from the field. Her hustle and rebounding, averaging 5.9 rebounds per game, have made her a vital rotation player.

What to Watch: Hinds’ ability to contribute off the bench will be key, particularly in providing energy during critical game moments.

How NC State Can Counter: To neutralize Hinds’ impact, NC State should focus on boxing her out and limiting her rebounds. Additionally, physical defense can prevent her from getting easy baskets around the rim.

6. Raven Thompson – The Anchor in Rebounding

Overview: Raven Thompson is a strong presence in the paint, averaging 6.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. With a shooting percentage of 58.3%, she is proving to be effective around the basket.

What to Watch: Thompson’s rebounding and defensive skills will be crucial as the Tigers face a tough NC State rebounding team that leads the ACC in grabs.

How NC State Can Counter: NC State must continue to prioritize rebounding as a team, using physicality to box out Thompson.

Team Statistics

Current Team Stats

• Scoring
  • Total Points: 1,125 (vs. Opponents: 889)
  • Points Per Game: 70.3 (vs. Opponents: 55.6)
  • Shooting Percentage: 44.9% (vs. Opponents: 40.5%)
• Rebounding
  • Total Rebounds: 595 (vs. Opponents: 449)
  • Rebounds Per Game: 37.2 (vs. Opponents: 28.1)
  • Rebounding Margin: +9.1
• Assists
  • Total Assists: 234 (vs. Opponents: 156)
  • Assists Per Game: 14.6 (vs. Opponents: 9.8)
• Turnovers
  • Total Turnovers: 198 (vs. Opponents: 229)
  • Turnovers Per Game: 12.4 (vs. Opponents: 14.3)
  • Assist/Turnover Ratio: 1.2 (vs. Opponents: 0.7)
• Steals
  • Total Steals: 111 (vs. Opponents: 73)