A signature of Roy Williams’ program at UNC has been playing with tempo—the Tar Heels have finished in the top 20 in adjusted tempo a bunch of teams since he took over as head coach. NC State has generally been far more deliberate with the ball this century, but not this year.
The Wolfpack ranks 15th in adjusted tempo, easily the high-water mark of the KenPom era (which goes back to 2002). State has already played three games with 80 possessions or more, which is one more than it played all of last season. There have been entire years where State didn’t hit 80 possessions in a game.