Greensboro is just a short drive along 1-40 from Raleigh; for graduate transfer Sam Hunt, though, it’s been like entering a new dimension. (There must be a portal in Burlington, or something)
In NC State’s 92-72 win over No. 25 Florida State on Sunday, the Wolfpack went 13-of-22 (59.1 percent) from beyond the arc. Hunt, who continues to sizzle in ACC play, connected on all four on this three-point attempts. This triggered the PNC Arena crowd into chanting his name — something Hunt described afterwards: “It was amazing. I’m dreaming. I’m really on cloud nine right now. It was an amazing feeling.”
After winning just three games last season at NC A&T, Hunt helped NC State get its 20th win this season in historic fashion.
NC State became the 82nd team this season to shoot 59 percent or better on at least 20 three-point attempts, per Sports Reference.
According to Synergy Sports, Florida State has allowed 0.92 points per possession on spot-up attempts this season (36.7 FG%, 48.8 eFG%). That ranks eighth in the ACC in terms of efficiency; it’s also a slight improvement over last season — 0.94 points per possession.
Against the Wolfpack, however, trouble was all over the floor. Sam Hunt, Al Freeman and Markell Johnson combined to go 9-of-11 (81.8 percent) on spot-up three-point attempts, per Synergy.
According to KenPom, NC State is now up to No. 31 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency — 116.5 points per 100 possessions. If this sticks, this will become NC State’s second most efficient offense of the last 10 seasons. Only the 2012-13 squad, which featured NBA players T.J. Warren and Lorenzo Brown, stacks higher: 116.8 points per 100 possessions.
Florida State now ranks 74th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom.