3 Takeaways from NC State's Victory over UNC at Chapel Hill

NC State stymied 15th-ranked UNC on the road last night, marking the Wolfpack's first victory in Chapel Hill since 2003. The win snapped an 11-game losing streak at the Smith Center. 

The tide is beginning to turn in Raleigh. 

The Pack now boasts three Top 20 wins, including two on the road against the Tar Heels and Louisville, as well as a home win over Duke. A team that was previously on the bubble, this win likely catapults NC State into the NCAA tournament, barring a complete collapse in their final three games.

So, how did the Pack complete the upset? Here's three takeaways from NC State's historic win over UNC.

1. Defense, Defense, Defense

NC State did something to UNC that no other team in NCAA history has done—they held the Tar Heels to their lowest offensive output ever in the Smith Center, as freelance sportswriter Lauren Brownlow pointed out:

The Pack set the tone early with suffocating play on the defensive end. Their strategy to have Cat Barber shadow UNC's sharpshooter Marcus Paige paid dividends. 

Paige, who has absolutely lit up the Wolfpack in the past (he averages a full seven points more per game and shoots 50 percent from the three-point line, per Joe Giglio of the News and Observer) scored just seven points.

That's almost a full seven points below his season average of 13.6, and he didn't even manage a shot attempt until late in the first half. NC State head coach Mark Gottfried prioritized shutting down Paige this week, per his comments (via Pack Pride):

Mission, accomplished. 

They also chose to double-team the low post and slow down UNC's big men. The result? Resounding dominance for NC State. Up front, center BeeJay Anya was a monster on the defensive side of the ball, notching six blocks while clogging up the paint and making things difficult for UNC's bigs all night. 

With that said, it's no surprise the Tar Heels appeared sluggish. Their offense relies heavily on their front-court players, and they consistently struggled to convert shots up close. NC State held both Kennedy Meeks and Brice Johnson to just 16 total points, which is eight points below their cumulative average. 

On top of that, the Pack did a great job contesting UNC's shots in the first half, as the the Tar Heels went a measly 7-of-25 (28 percent) from the field. NC State also out-rebounded the Heels 41-38, limiting their second-chance point opportunities.

2. The Continued Stellar Play of Point Guard Cat Barber

Cat Barber has suffered through plenty of adversity this year—off the court, he lost his brother midseason and lost his starting job on the court. 

All of a sudden, a light came on for the sophomore point guard. Over his last six games, Barber has averaged 18 points, including two 20-point performances. He hasn't scored less than 10 points in a game in almost a month. 

He led all Wolfpack scorers last night with 15 points, including a team-high four assists. The young guard looks as comfortable as ever running the offense and very well may be NC State's best point guard since Engin Atsur in 2007. 

He plays so effortlessly with the ball in his hands, and it's easy to tell that the game has slowed down for him in his second year. His development and ability to recognize what's going on in front of him has taken such a leap this year. It's honestly eye-opening. 

Not to mention, he may also be the quickest guard in college basketball, and he has an uncanny penchant to blow by defenders and finish at the rim with ease. It's rare to see defenders left wondering what just happened, but that's exactly what Barber brings to the table. 

He knows when to drive, when to pull up and when to dish it off. He's truly become a master at his craft, and that has been a primary reason the Pack has cemented themselves firmly in the NCAA tournament conversation.

Perhaps even more important is Barber's play on the other side of the floor. He's truly become a complete package for NC State, and he completely shut down UNC's leading scorer in Paige. The amount of effort it takes to dominate on both ends of the floor is no easy task, and that's a great testament to Barber's physical and mental toughness. 

3. Execution Down the Stretch

With 1:51 remaining and the Pack up 51-46, guard Trevor Lacey spotted an opening in the middle of Carolina's defense. He proceeded to drive the ball from the top of the key, got fouled and made a layup to convert a three-point play. Those three points were the first of NC State's 8-0 run that ended up sealing the victory.

A couple of timely threes from shooting guard Ralston Turner also kept momentum in the Pack's favor. Both Lacey and Turner finished with 14 points apiece. 

Closing games is something that NC State has historically struggled with over the last couple of seasons. Up until this point, seven of their 11 losses this season were within five points or less. Even the fanbase had to hold it's collective breath; James Curle expressed his concern:

Nevertheless, the Pack closed out the game with an exclamation point. For a young team that boasts only one senior starter, the confidence is really starting to grow. In fact, it's almost palpable. This is the type of win that ignites postseason runs and defines a team's character.

They have played together all season, and now the development is finally producing on-court results. For NC State, that couldn't have come at a better time. The Pack have seemingly checked all the boxes for a tournament bid, and now all that's left is to close out the season by winning a few games they should.

Mark Gottfried knows what this type of win means for his team and his program. And he's certainly not afraid to show it, as illustrated by his comments (via Pack Pride):

Cheers to the Wolfpack.