Maui Invitational, Day 2: Turns out everything’s fine

NC State’s effort on day two in Maui was ten times better, and the results were a reflection of that. This team has some clear problems defending the paint but a lot of how that works out for better or worse depends on the communication and effort, and today it was a lot better across the board.

It helps, obviously, when you’re making some jumpers early, and NC State got off fast in this one—an 11-2 start, a 20-10 lead before the offense went cold. It was a weird first half that way, a swapping of six- or seven-point runs by either side that made sure the game remained both close and confusing. The difference today was that NC State looked like the better team for the most part; the process offensively was much better, which is to say that the shots were much better, and for the most par the results were there.

Darrion Williams took a more assertive role early, and this team needed it. Paul McNeil hit a couple of early shots and might well have been on his way to a big game if the referees hadn’t decided he needed two early fouls. Terrance Arceneaux logged his best game in a State uniform and helped lead the late first-half run that gave the Pack the lead at the break.

The second half was a bit more like what I’ve expected to see the entire time, but again, I let the early part of the season go to my head. The offense was more consistent, and with some solid bench minutes from both Arceneaux and Alyn Breed, the guard rotation was a strength for NC State. That paid off as the game went long and the refs decided to foul out three guys.

I wasn’t worried when Darrion Williams fouled out, because it felt like NC State controlled the matter down the stretch to an extent that one player wasn’t going to be that big a difference. As the refs continued to whistle fouls, the margin didn’t alter all that much, because State mixed in free throws with some easy press-break scores to salt the win home.

(No regulation basketball game should take 2.5 hours, and I’m going to bill the officials for my time, but that’s a different matter. No one wants to watch a free throw parade, but for the last four minutes, that’s basically what this game was.)

My favorite small moment today: Will Wade was pissed after a shit foul call with like three minutes left, so Darrion Williams, who was fouled out at this point, jogged over and jokingly made sure his coach wasn’t going to go do anything silly like get a technical foul. Darrion’s great. Not just a great player, but a good emotional counterbalance when the team needs it. Nothing bugs him out there.

There is plenty of room left for improvement, but everything looks better when you go 18-33 on twos, 9-21 on threes, and 18-23 on free throws.