16 Louisville @ North Carolina State: Player Ratings and Recap

The ACC season keeps moving on. Here are player ratings for last night's game between ACC undefeated Louisville, and North Carolina State trying to avoid going 0-2 in the conference. 

#16 Louisville 77 @ North Carolina State 72

Louisville Cardinals

C Chinanu Onuaku: 8

Onuaku has had a good season averaging just under 10 points per game, and 8 rebounds. He had an even better game shooting six of nine for 12 points, and adding 14 rebounds. His success on the offensive end was impressive going up against NC State's bigs, including Beejay Anya who is one of the best rim protector's in the conference. He also played pretty good defense, especially helping on the perimeter on Cat Barber. Although NC State were allowed to grab way too many offensive rebounds, nineteen.

F Jaylen Johnson: 5.5

Jaylen Johnson got some extended minutes this game, due to Mathiang's absence. He made the most of his minutes with a stellar game. He went just three for eight from the field, but made both of his FT attempts to score eight points total. He also had seven rebounds, which was second on the team. Johnson did struggle guarding Abdul-Malik Abu at times, who is a bigger, more athletic power forward, and needed to help box out more, as NC State had way too many offensive rebounds. Johnson should continue to play more (~20 minutes a game) as long as Mathiang is out.

G Damion Lee: 6.5

Damion Lee has been Louisville's best scorer. However, he took a more passive role in the offense this game. This was because Quentin Snider received an increased role, and he is the team's only true PG. So, he ran the offense, and went on a scoring tear. Lee still made the most of the shots he did take. He went four for eight from the field, and three for six from beyond the arc. Lee finished the game with 13 points. It certainly wasn't his most dominate offensive game, but he made timely shots, and did enough to keep Louisvillle ahead.

G Donovan Mitchell: 5

Donovan Mitchell shows off his potential at times, bursting to the basket, making pull up jumpers off the dribble, and making a nice assist after penetrating. However, more often he is little involved in the offense, and disappears for long stretches. He finished this game just one for three, scoring three points. Although he did have four assists, and only one turnover.

G Trey Lewis: 3.5

Trey Lewis struggled this game. He was faced with the difficult task of guarding Cat Barber, and got into foul trouble early, and only played 19 minutes as a result. He ended up 0-4 from the field, and scored four points on foul shots. Luckily, Snider came in to replace Lewis, and led Louisville to victory. But, Lewis, who is averaging 13.6 ppg, will be needed for games against the ACC's top half teams.

G Quentin Snider: 9

I was not a fan of Quentin Snider coming into the season, but he has performed well coming off the bench thus far, and led Louisville to victory against NC State. Snider played 32 minutes due to Trey Lewis' foul trouble, and absolutely dominated. He shot 7-11 from the field, and made four of his six 3pt attempts. Snider scored a game high 21 points. This was the most dynamic I have ever seen Snider offensively. He took his shots confidently, and had great success taking the ball to the basket as well. It certainly helps that NC State has poor perimeter defenders. Snider even played good defense on Cat Barber, holding him to under 33% shooting.

F Raymond Spalding: 6.5

Raymond Spalding has also seen a bump in his playing time with Mathiang out. He played 19 minutes against the Wolfpack, and made six of his eight attempts, scoring 12 points. Spalding has a lot to improve upon though. He scored most of his points around the basket, although he did make a mid-range jumper too. He never had to post up one of NC State's bigs, but had uncontested attempts near the hoop. Spalding also committed three fouls in his 19 minutes on the floor, and failed to record even a single defensive rebound.

F Deng Adel: 5

This was my first look at Deng Adel, as he's missed eight games thus far this season. Adel has averaged just 10.4 minutes a game, and 3.3 ppg. He is clearly a great athlete; he has a great first step, and easily shook defenders when moving without the ball. I'm surprised he hasn't attempted a 3pt shot thus far this season. I had read prior to the season that he was a good jump shooter, but he has yet to prove that in games this season. Adel shot two for five this game, and had one rebound, and one block. Adel likely will not receive much playing time moving forward, especially with Spalding playing well, but he is one to keep an eye on for next season.

F Anas Mahmoud: 4.5

Mahmoud did not make much of an impact on this game. He was 0-1 shooting, had a rebound, a block, and picked up a couple quick fouls. He is a nice asset as a versatile defender though.

Team Rating: 6.38

Louisville was not firing on all cylinders this game. Damion Lee and Trey Lewis, the team's two best offensive players, struggled, and they allowed a lot of offensive rebounds, nineteen. However, Quentin Snider had a great game off the bench, and the team played great defense.

North Carolina State Wolfpack

C BeeJay Anya: 5.5

Anya was one of two, and missed all four of his FT attempts, scoring just two points. Anya is a beast grabbing offensive rebounds—he had five this game—but, he was unable to take advantage of them himself, as he was fouled trying to put the ball back up, and missed his free throws. He had seven total rebounds. Anya is one of the best, probably the best, rim protector in the conference. However, he struggled this game, against Onuaku and company. He also only had one block.

F Abdul-Malik Abu: 8

Abu was NC State's best player this game. He can score in a variety of way, and has good athleticism for his size. He did a nice job taking Louisville's bigs on the dribble. Abu was also active on the offensive boards, and got some second chance points for the Wolfpack. He also made five foul shots. Abu finished the game with 15 points. He also had 12 rebounds, and a block.

G Caleb Martin: 5.5

Caleb Martin scored 13 points, but shot only 3-10 from the field. On the bright side, Martin was 3-7 from beyond the arc, and made four of his five FT attempts. Martin does not play great perimeter defense either.

G Maverick Rowan: 6.5

Maverick Rowan is an inconsistent scorer. He is shooting just 36.5% from the field, while taking 12 shots per game. He seems like NC State's Trevor Cooney (but the bigger, higher upside, freshman version). Rowan even makes clutch 3pt shots at times. He was 5-13 this game, and scored 17 points. However, Rowan is a terrible perimeter defender. He needs to improve his consistency on offense, and his defense, because he is a key player for this team.

G “Cat” Barber: 6

Barber has been the best player in the ACC thus far this season. He was not at his best this game though. Sure, Barber ended up with 20 points. However, it took him 22 shots to get those 20 points, and ended the game just 1-7 from 3pt range. Barber is shooting just 27.3% from that range for the season. Barber is at his best when he is using his elite speed and athleticism to get to attack the basket, but Louisville did a nice job defending him with Snider spearheading the effort, and Onuaku helping off screens. Barber finished the game 7-22 from the field, but made all five of his FT attempts. He also had four assists, and turned the ball over only once. Louisville did a nice job of muzzling Barber, and make him work twice as hard for his points this game.

F Leonard Freeman: 5.5

Freeman played more than half the game. He grabbed six rebounds, but scored only two points, missing his only field goal attempt.

F Cody Martin: 6

Cody Martin is a great hustle, and energy player. He does all the little things (to be oh so cliché). He is also NC State's best perimeter defender. He scored just three points, but grabbed two rebounds, and also had a pair of assists, and a block.

Team Rating: 6.30

NC State was in this game up until the end, despite not getting the best games from their two leading scorers: Cat Barber and Caleb Martin. Their ability to grab offensive rebounds helped them stay close, as it will in many games this season. They also got some timely shots from Maverick Rowan. Still, this team is going to struggle because they have bad perimeter defenders, and too few consistent offensive threats. I still think NC State is dangerous because Cat Barber, this game notwithstanding, can run over defenses, and win games on his own. He needs to improve his jump shooting though to keep defenses honest.