Instant observations: NC State surges past UAB with improved shooting in second half

After opening the Will Wade era in front of a capacity crowd inside the Lenovo Center with a 48-point win over NC Central on Monday night, NC State’s follow-up performance was going to be telling.  Not only did the Wolfpack host Bronx (N.Y.) Blair Academy five-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. for his official visit, adding some pressure to do well, but a 9 p.m. tip against UAB was going to present its own challenge to avoid a sluggish start.  While the dreaded slow first 15 minutes appeared for NC State, it was able to work through its off shooting night that featured an 0-of-12 start from distance to earn a 94-70 win over UAB in former Wolfpack player Andy Kennedy’s return to Raleigh at the helm of the Blazers.  NC State, as a team, shot 54.1 percent from the field, including a 10-of-30 mark from 3-point distance with 18 assists to get past UAB. Sophomore guard Paul McNeil and senior guard Quadir Copeland led the Pack with 18 points each, while senior forward Darrion Williams and senior guard Tre Holloman added 14 points apiece. Here are TheWolfpacker.com’s observations from NC State's second straight win.