Instant observations: NC State rolls past Michigan State to punch ticket to Sweet 16

Leading up to NC State’s NCAA Tournament second round game against Michigan State, the Wolfpack had one focus — it wanted to deliver the first punch.  The Pack didn’t do that in its opening round game, which allowed Vermont to hang around for the first three quarters. Instead of letting the Spartans do the same, NC State turned its defense up a notch in the first two minutes of the game.  How high you ask? Well, the Pack had two blocks, a steal and a charge taken in the first 120 seconds of the game to set the tone. That allowed its offense to get rolling and from then on, it was all Wolfpack.  No. 2 seed NC State continued to land haymaker after haymaker as it beat No. 7 seed Michigan State 83-49 in the Round of 32 on Monday afternoon in front of a sold-out Reynolds Coliseum.  Senior guard Aziaha James led the Wolfpack with 26 points, while senior guards Saniya Rivers and Madison Hayes scored 17 points each with eight and nine rebounds, respectively. NC State advances to its 17th Sweet 16 appearance in program history, where it will face either No. 3 seed LSU or No. 6 seed Florida State on Friday in Spokane, Wash. Here are three observations from the Wolfpack’s 17th NCAA Tournament win under coach Wes Moore.