The Pack just couldn’t stop Tyrese Rice. 32 points and 6 assists later, the Eagles had snapped their 6 game losing streak with a win over NC State, 82-65. State tried doubleteams and traps to slow Rice down, but he handled them flawlessly, shooting 12-18 from the field. One of the telling moments? The first time State went to a full court trap to keep Rice away from the ball, he drove the length of the court for a layup.

“(Rice) let us know early it was going to be a tough night guarding him,” Costner said. –News & Observer

This might be the beginning of the end for State’s NCAA Tourney bid.

“We talked about this time (of year),” Coach Lowe said. “This was a very, very big game. To not be in it and have an opportunity to win was very disappointing. Some of the efforts were very disappointing.” –WRAL

Costner still has hope:

“We still feel we can reach the (NCAA) tournament and play well in the tournament,” N.C. State forward Brandon Costner said. “But we’ve got to have everybody show up every night…” –News & Observer

It’s been quite a disappointing season so far for a young and potentially exciting State team that just can’t find a way to score. Last night they couldn’t rebound either. Boston College is one of the worst rebounding teams in the ACC. They out-rebounded State 20-10 in the first half.

J.J. Hickson again lead the way for the Wolfpack scoring 20 points and 7 rebounds. Brandon Costner had 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists ..but also had 5 of State’s 13 turnovers. Gavin Grant also had 15 points in the loss.

Despite a critical loss, there was at least one silver lining from my standpoint: Coach Lowe left them on the floor to play their way out of the slump.

“We can’t win with three guys playing well; we can’t do it…We need six guys to at least come out and be productive and do their jobs and do what they’re supposed to do,” Lowe said. “That doesn’t entail just scoring points, it’s the defensive end that I’m looking at and I’m concerned about.” –WRAL

It doesn’t get any easier for State, who will at least be heading home. They play Clemson Saturday at 3pm at the RBC and have the Tarheels coming up Wednesday night at 7pm.

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Tonight is a “must win” for the Wolfpack if they are to make the NCAA Tournament.

At 12-10 (3-6 in ACC play), the Eagles might look like an underdog vs. State, but Boston College is a much better team than their record shows on paper. Specifically guard Tyrese Rice, the ACC’s #2 leading scorer, who’s coming off a 28 point performance against Duke.

The good news is that B.C. is one of the worst rebounding clubs in the ACC. Additionally, while they lead the ACC in blocked shots, they are also giving up close to 80 points per game on defense. The Eagles shoot pretty good from the 3-point line. Specifically Rice (.339) who throws up a lot of threes, but can be very streaky.

State has to find a way to end their losing ways against the Eagles. They’ve lost two in a row and 4 of their last 5 versus Boston College. Something they’ve got to find a way to change tonight.

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