Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley diagrams a play prior to the second half. (Photo courtesy of Ray Floriani)
Brooklyn, NY - If for some reason you, and there are many sharing the sentiment, cannot stand Duke, this might not be your game. Arizona State edged NC State 79-76 in the second semifinal of the Legends Classic at Barclays Center. That sets up a Marquette-Arizona State championship. The respective teams are coached by Steve Wojciechowski and Bobby Hurley, both former standouts of Duke.
Emotions aside, it should provide an interesting contest. Marquette, hit hard by injuries last year, is much improved. Hurley is his initial year at the Pac-12 school is not looking for a rebuilding mindset. He wants results NOW. Last night was a significant result in itself for the Sun Devils.
The numbers…..
Possessions: NC State 69, Arizona State 72
Offensive Efficiency: NC State 102, Arizona State 115
eFG: NC State 49, Arizona State 47
FT Rate: NC State 48, Arizona State 39
OREB Pct: NC State 26, Arizona State 42
TO Rate: NC State 12, Arizona State 17
The difference: The boards. NC State shot better and got to the line at a better rate. The difference was under the offensive glass, where Arizona State owned an 18-10 edge in raw offensive rebounding numbers.
Leading Scorers and Efficiency Factors:
NC State: Cat Barber 22 points, 34 EF
Arizona State: Tra Holder 22 points, 24 EF
EF of distinction: Savon Goodman, a 6-6 forward from Philadelphia, posted a 36 EF. The per minute rate was a superlative 1.20. Goodman had 21 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. He had seven on the offensive end, just three shy of the entire Wolfpack total.
The third place game features LSU against NC State, affording us another look at gifted Tigers freshman Ben Simmons.
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