Adversity can strike in some unexpected ways, and also strike in a hurry. Two minutes into the game Saturday, NC State lost Wyatt Walker, who was ejected for intentionally tripping a Pittsburgh player. A little over halfway through the opening half, Markell Johnson took a scary tumble after going for a block in transition. He would not return.
Not surprisingly, the game was as struggle at times for the Wolfpack as it was forced to adjust to losing two starters. To Pitt’s credit, the Panthers made the best of it, and led with as little as six minutes remaining.