Torvik predicted NC State to win this game by a 61-47 final. Sometimes, those computers end up landing right. NC State started the game well, then was bad for a solid 20 minutes in the middle, but it didn’t really feel urgent—JMU couldn’t make shots, and never pushed a rally.
State did a good job illustrating where it can be bothered after that first quarter, as it settled for numerous mid-range or three-point shots. Not that these were all bad shots, mind, but they were shots given with little disagreement by the opposing defense, and that’s obviously the problem.
If you can settle a team at the mid range and beyond, then you’re going to take those chances. State often ends up there without anyone attacking the rim or otherwise getting a paint touch, and that’s a lingering problem that leads to like eight unfortunate minutes of sad jump shots.
It was pretty painful at times, but it didn’t end up mattering.