This is how life goes in the ACC. You can light Duke up for 32 points or you can be squashed by Louisville.
N.C. State’s Dennis Smith Jr. is learning that on the fly and the hard way. After the freshman star scored a season-low eight points in Sunday’s 85-60 loss to Louisville, he could have made excuses or blamed others. The Fayetteville point guard did not.
“I didn’t bring enough energy on either end, to start the game out, and (my teammates) follow me,” Smith said. “When I don’t bring a lot of energy it’s hard for them to really get going.