NC State is 1-0 and Campbell is 0-1, and they tip it off Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Reynolds Coliseum on ACC Network.
The Pack opened Monday with an 80-50 win over Wofford. Moore liked the energy and the pressure early, but he was less happy with the details once the lead got comfortable, specifically the free-throw rebounds and a couple of inbounds layups he does not like. He used a timeout to remind them the scoreboard is not the assignment, because every second is part of the resume they are building for the teams that will actually test them later. Campbell is the next chance to keep working on that, and they need to make some progress here with Kentucky coming up Sunday in Charlotte.
One part of the Wofford game that did look clean was the three-point shooting from the starting guards. Lunan went 5-of-8 from deep, Brooks was 2-of-5, and Wooten was also 2-of-5. That is the kind of efficiency that makes the spacing work and keeps the defense from collapsing on Pierre and Leye. It is early, but that is a better look than the exhibitions showed, and it is worth watching again tonight against a team that will have to decide how to guard it.
Campbell opened with a 62-47 loss to Austin Peay. Jasmine Felton scored 20 points in that game and is the name to know on their side. They finished 20-12 last season and return a group that can score. This is not a team that is going to walk in and roll over. They are early under their staff and looking for a first win, so they will have something to play for.
The same questions from the Wofford game are still open. The three-guard start with Brooks, Lunan, and Wooten worked against a team that wanted to play through its ball-handlers. Pierre and Leye give them size and quickness inside. The seniors are playing like they understand the clock is shorter now. The work between now and the teams that matter is the same work Moore pointed to after Wofford: stay off the scoreboard, clean up the free-throw rebounds, and treat every possession like it is part of the resume.
Campbell will give them another look at the defensive pressure and the spacing they want. It is also another chance to see how the deeper group holds up when the minutes shift. The score will not be the point. Whether they put 40 minutes together will be. Tip is 6 p.m. Wednesday at Reynolds. ACC Network has the call.
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