NC State-Miami Preview
Share This Story
Miami has never advanced to the ACC tournament championship while North Carolina State last reached one six years ago and hasn't won this event since 1987.
One of these teams will get a shot at the title, and the Wolfpack will have Lorenzo Brown on Saturday as they try to avenge a regular-season loss to the No. 9 Hurricanes.
Miami (25-6) has reached the ACC semifinals for the second time in nine appearances, but it wasn't easy as the top-seeded Hurricanes needed a big second half from Shane Larkin to hold off Boston College 69-58 on Friday.
Larkin scored 15 of his 20 points after halftime as the Hurricanes shot 69.6 percent over the final 20 minutes.
"He's so good at what he does," coach Jim Larranaga said. "A lot of times you'll see (Larkin) in the first half try to get the ball to (his teammates), and then the second half starts, he starts to pick his spots to attack and score or find the open man. We absolutely needed that."
Miami's point guard will get his first look at Brown this season. The Wolfpack floor general was out with a sprained ankle when the Hurricanes won 79-78 on Feb. 2 on Reggie Johnson's tip-in with 0.8 seconds left.
"We played them once at home and they beat us so first of all, we remember that," N.C. State coach Mark Gottfried said. "They have proven that from start to finish that they are the best in the league."
N.C. State (24-9) was up by 10 midway through the first half last month. C.J. Leslie, who did not start that contest for disciplinary reasons, led the Wolfpack with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
"That was a tough game for us," Leslie said. "We felt like we had that game under control, and it just slipped away at the end."
Brown, who led the ACC in the regular season with 7.0 assists per game, has 18 in two games in this tournament.
"He just affects the game in so many ways," Gottfried said. "And obviously we're a different team when he's healthy."
N.C. State has been dominant this week, winning 80-63 over Virginia Tech on Wednesday and 75-56 over Virginia on Thursday. Leslie has totaled 32 points and 18 rebounds.
Scott Wood matched a career high with seven 3-pointers against the Cavaliers, also tying a season high with 23 points.
Some tremendous defense figures to be on display with the top three players in steals during the ACC regular season involved. Brown and Larkin each averaged 2.0 while Miami's Durand Scott had 1.6 per game.
Larkin and Scott combined for five steals Friday.
"Right now I know one thing I can definitely do 100 percent of, and that's play defense, and that's what I'm going to put my heart on the line for and help my teammates as much as I can in the defensive end," said Scott, who has been quiet offensively with 15 points on 33.3 percent shooting in the tournament.
Scott scored a team-high 18 points and Larkin added 13 and five steals in the first meeting.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Castroneves: Indy 500 win trumps sex
Helio Castroneves has won the Indianapolis 500 three times since he burst onto the In... -
McLouth catch earns thrown beverage
Baltimore Orioles left fielder Nate McLouth makes catch, falls into stands in Toronto... -
Former Laker Flynn Robinson, 72, dies
Flynn Robinson, who was on the 1971-1972 Lakers team that won Los Angeles its first N... -
Boston gives Francona royal welcome
Red Sox Nation embraces Francona in Beantown return. Time for team to reach out, too.... -
Ray Lewis to climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Sure, Ray Lewis has played at Mile High Stadium. But that's nothing compared with his...
NCAA BK Videos
Kansas lands top recruit
Posted: May 14, 2013
Reid Forgrave on Kansas landing top recruit Andrew Wiggins. Find out if he think...
Reid Forgrave on Kansas landing top recruit Andrew Wiggins. Find out if he think...
Burke bolts for NBA after 2 season
Posted: Apr 14, 2013
Wooden Award winning guard Trey Burke talks about opting to head to the NBA afte...
Wooden Award winning guard Trey Burke talks about opting to head to the NBA afte...
Zeller to enter NBA draft
Posted: Apr 11, 2013
Hear what Indiana's Cody Zeller has to say about entering the NBA draft.
Hear what Indiana's Cody Zeller has to say about entering the NBA draft.
NCAA BK Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike Florida Gators #1 Replica Elite Basketball Jersey - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/885881/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_885000/ff_885881_xl.jpg&w=100 | 74.95 | Nike Florida Gators #1 Replica Elite Basketball Jersey - Black |
| Nike Georgetown Hoyas #22 Hyper Elite Road Performance Jersey - Navy Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Georgetown_Hoyas/browse/featuredproduct/1030243/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1030000/ff_1030243_xl.jpg&w=100 | 119.95 | Nike Georgetown Hoyas #22 Hyper Elite Road Performance Jersey - Navy Blue |
| Nike Duke Blue Devils #5 Tourney Takeover Replica T-Shirt - Duke Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Duke_Blue_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/1032710/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1032000/ff_1032710_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Duke Blue Devils #5 Tourney Takeover Replica T-Shirt - Duke Blue |
| Nike Oregon Ducks X-Ray Ball T-Shirt - Green | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Oregon_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/1052002/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1052000/ff_1052002_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Nike Oregon Ducks X-Ray Ball T-Shirt - Green |
| Nike Ohio State Buckeyes Road Warrior Tri-blend T-Shirt - Scarlet | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Ohio_State_Buckeyes/browse/featuredproduct/1052645/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1052000/ff_1052645_xl.jpg&w=100 | 29.95 | Nike Ohio State Buckeyes Road Warrior Tri-blend T-Shirt - Scarlet |
| Indiana Hoosiers 2013 NCAA Men\'s Basketball Road to March Madness T-Shirt - Crimson | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Indiana_Hoosiers/browse/featuredproduct/1124528/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1124000/ff_1124528_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Indiana Hoosiers 2013 NCAA Men\'s Basketball Road to March Madness T-Shirt - Cri.. |
| adidas Louisville Cardinals 2013 March Madness #10 Premier Swingman Jersey - Red | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Louisville_Cardinals/browse/featuredproduct/1127200/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1127000/ff_1127200_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas Louisville Cardinals 2013 March Madness #10 Premier Swingman Jersey - Red |
| adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2013 March Madness #45 Premier Swingman Jersey - White | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Notre_Dame_Fighting_Irish/browse/featuredproduct/1127218/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1127000/ff_1127218_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2013 March Madness #45 Premier Swingman Jersey .. |
| Nike Gonzaga Bulldogs March Madness Bracketville T-Shirt - Navy Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Gonzaga_Bulldogs/browse/featuredproduct/1155821/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1155000/ff_1155821_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Nike Gonzaga Bulldogs March Madness Bracketville T-Shirt - Navy Blue |
| Top of the World Miami Hurricanes 2013 NCAA ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Champions Adjustable Hat – Green | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Miami_Hurricanes/browse/featuredproduct/1177723/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1177000/ff_1177723_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Top of the World Miami Hurricanes 2013 NCAA ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Cham.. |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.