Appalachian St. @ NC State preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 15, 2016 ) Appalachian St. 64, NC State 97

North Carolina State has put together a strong start to its season, recovering from an opening-night loss to win nine of its next 11 games, and looks to wrap up non-conference play on a high note Sunday when it hosts Appalachian State. The Wolfpack handled The Citadel 83-63 on Dec. 22 in their last game before the holiday break, a victory that capped a standout week from senior guard Markell Johnson that landed him co-ACC player of the week honors.

Johnson registered the fourth triple-double in N.C. State history against The Citadel, finishing with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, three days after recording his first double-double of the season (17 points, 10 assists) in a 79-73 defeat at No. 8 Auburn. Two of the previous triple-doubles were recorded by Johnson’s former teammate, Dennis Smith Jr. in 2016-17. “Playing with Dennis Smith my freshman year and backing him up, to coming out here and having a chance to run the team on my own, it’s good for me,” Johnson told reporters postgame. The Mountaineers have won four in a row and five of their past six, and in their only matchup with a Power 5 team fell 79-71 to Michigan (now ranked fifth) in the season opener.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, ACC Network

ABOUT APPALACHIAN STATE (8-4): Junior guard Justin Forrest leads the Mountaineers in scoring at 17.8 points, and in his past two games has shot 19-for-35 from the field while scoring 32 points against South Alabama and 25 points against Troy. Senior forward Isaac Johnson averages 11.8 points and nine rebounds, with double-doubles in three of his past five games. Appalachian State has limited nine of its first 12 opponents to fewer than 70 points.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA STATE (9-3): Johnson is averaging 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.9 assists, and across his past four games is shooting 22-for-41 from the field with 34 assists. Senior guard C.J. Bryce leads N.C. State in scoring at 16.1 points and is shooting 52.9 percent from the field, finishing with 21 points and 11 rebounds against Auburn while hitting 3-of-4 attempts from 3-point range. Freshman forward Manny Bates began the weekend leading the ACC and ranking in the top 10 nationally in blocked shots per game (3.17).

TIP-INS

1. N.C. State junior G Devon Daniels scored a team-high 18 points on 7-for-14 shooting from the field against The Citadel, and on the season is scoring 11.3 points on 50 percent shooting.

2. The Wolfpack started the weekend second in the ACC and 20th nationally in scoring offense (81.8 points).

3. N.C. State registered a season-high 50 rebounds against The Citadel, as seven players recorded at least five rebounds.

PREDICTION: N.C. State 75, Appalachian State 65