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NC State Basketball

TJ Warren “ Phoenix’s Rising Sun”

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10 years ago

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NBA Style: TJ will undoubtedly benefit from the open space and the up-tempo style in the NBA. The NBA is all about creativity and maximizing possessions, for example the Phoenix Suns were ranked 8th in Pace at 98.2 offensive possessions per 48 minutes. Since the shot clock in the NBA is only 24 seconds this means teams must be quick on the attack and must create their own shot more often than in the college game. TJ excels at using his creativity and craftiness to score on a variety of floaters, mid-range shots, and the use of the euro-step in the open court.

Skill Set: TJ has the unique ability to create his own shot and the ability to be efficient offensively without the need to have a play called for him. While at State TJ was virtually unstoppable when he was isolated and guarded 1 on 1, most often this resulted in 2 points. Another skill that will aid TJ in his development is the fact that he has had to use a variety of shots and creativity to score at the college level. Rarely did we see TJ use raw athleticism to score over opponents this past season. However he used great body control and his size to score in the paint and in transition. TJ possesses enough athletic ability to score in the open court; coupled with his wise use of angles he will continue to be a terror in the open court at the NBA level. Lastly I want to point out how skilled TJ is around the rim. At times it seemed like there was a magnet around the rim for TJ, he has an innate ability to score around the basket. We saw him score on put backs, offensive rebounds, post ups, floaters, mid-range pull-ups, dunks, and in transition. By having all of these tools in the bag TJ will benefit the Suns.

Why Phoenix: The Suns are a young up-and-coming team that really out played early season expectations last year. New coach Jeff Hornacek brought an improved offensive scheme that the players bought into. He allowed his players to play in a way that catered to their strengths, for example he used a two point guard line in order to have his best players on the court. TJ will benefit by playing with two of the premiere point guards in the league, Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic. Both of these players demand hedging and doubling off of the pick and rolls because of their ability to get into the paint and finish. This will lead to TJ having the opportunity to score on the other side with a 3 on 2 advantage.

Improvement: There are a few areas where TJ will have to improve in order to have a sustained NBA career. In my opinion he will have to develop a more consisting jumper from the three-point arc. Three point field goals are a big part of the Suns offensive philosophy, the Suns attempted 25.1 threes per game. Another area of improvement is in his playmaking ability. While at State TJ was called upon to be more of a scorer rather than a facilitator; however, in Phoenix he will not be the first option. He must be willing to make the extra pass in order to get the best shot available.

Prediction: The sky is the limit for TJ! I honestly believe he will have long and prosperous career in the association. He has a variety of skills that are unique for someone of his size that will help him thrive in the up-tempo offensive environment of the NBA. Work ethic and desire have never been questioned in regards to TJ and I know he will continue to hone his skills and make his weaknesses become strengths. All TJ wants to do is play ball, he will do everything necessary to make sure he continues to live his dream for as long as he can!

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NC State Baseball

NC State has Dominated UNC in Athletics in 2023-24

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1 hour ago

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April 20, 2024

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After NC State clinched a series victory over UNC last night in Baseball, I thought it would be a good time to relish in how the Wolfpack has dominated the Tar Heels Athletic Program as a whole in 2023-24.

The Wolfpack Baseball team has won the first two games in the series against the Tar Heels, clinching a series victory over UNC for the first time since 2021. It marks the first time NC State has won a series against the Tar Heels in Raleigh since 2016.

NC State defeated UNC in Volleyball 3-1, winning in Chapel Hill for the first time in 25 years. The Tar Heels had won the last 5 matches against the Wolfpack.

The Wolfpack defeated the Tar Heels 39-20 in Football in Carter-Finley Stadium. It marked the 3rd consecutive win over UNC.

NC State lost both regular season games to UNC in Men’s Basketball, but when it mattered most, the Wolfpack defeated the Tar Heels in the ACC Championship Game 84-76, winning their first title since 1987.

The Wolfpack Women’s Basketball team lost to their rival in Chapel Hill, but defeated UNC 63-59 in Reynolds Coliseum. NC State has won 5 of the last 7 against UNC.

In Gymnastics, NC State defeated UNC 196.725-194.925 in Raleigh. This marked the 3rd straight victory for the Wolfpack over the Tar Heels.

NC State’s Men & Women’s Swimming & Diving teams both beat UNC. The Men won 258-93, and the Women won 196-157.

The Wolfpack Wrestling team defeated UNC 33-6 in Reynolds Coliseum. NC State has won 11 straight Duals against the Tar Heels.

The NC State Men’s Tennis team defeated UNC 4-0, winning against their rival in back-to-back years.

The Wolfpack Women’s Tennis team has defeated the Tar Heels 4-3 on two occasions thus far this season, and will face their rival again today.

The Cross Country teams didn’t have individual meets against UNC, but the Women obviously beat them, because they won the ACC Championship. The Men didn’t, finishing 8th in the Conference, with the Tar Heels finishing 1st.

The only other NC State athletic team that didn’t taste victory against UNC this year was the Women’s Soccer team, losing 0-4 in Raleigh.

Of course, each of these NC State athletic teams has much higher goals than just beating their rival, but there’s no denying how sweet it is to beat the Tar Heels.

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NC State Basketball

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James is Currently Visiting NC State

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17 hours ago

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April 19, 2024

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Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James (6’5″/200) is on a visit to NC State currently, according to a source.

Indiana State Transfer Ryan Conwell was on campus last week, but he just committed to Xavier.

From what I hear, the staff preferred James over Connell anyway. A plus with James is he has 2 years of eligibility, whereas Conwell has 1.

News broke about James entering the Transfer Portal back on March 25th, and NC State was quick to reach out. Kevin Keatts and his staff recruited the former 4-star prospect out of high school heavily, but he ultimately chose the Cardinals.

Rivals ranked James as the #71 overall player in the 2021 recruiting class, and ESPN ranked him as the #7 prospect in the state of Florida.

After redshirting his first year in Louisville due to torn achilles, James has been a starter for the Cardinals the past two years. This year, he averaged 12.6 points and 5 rebounds.

For a more extensive look at James’ game, click here.

Rivals ranks James as the #77 overall player in the Transfer Portal.

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NC State Basketball

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James is a Priority for NC State

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21 hours ago

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April 19, 2024

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Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James (6’5″/200) is a priority for NC State, according to a source.

News broke about James entering the Transfer Portal back on March 25th, and NC State was quick to reach out. Kevin Keatts and his staff recruited the former 4-star prospect out of high school heavily, but he ultimately chose the Cardinals.

After redshirting his first year in Louisville due to torn achilles, James has been a starter for the Cardinals the past two years.

This past year, James averaged 12.6 points per game (3rd on the team) and 5 rebounds. He’s extremely physical and aggressive, taking 47% of his field goal attempts at the rim (making 46%). As a result, he draws a lot of fouls, ranking 10th in the ACC in Fouls Drawn, and 4th in Free Throw Rate. James made opponents pay this year when they put him on the line, making 81.8% from the charity stripe, which ranked 15th in the ACC.

James shot the ball better as a Redshirt Freshman, than he did this past season. His Effective Field Goal Percentage in 2022-23 was 55.8%, which ranked 19th in the ACC, and his True Shooting Percentage of 59.6% ranked 14th.

He does have the ability to knock down a three, making 34.8% for his career.

NC State already hosted Indiana State Transfer Guard Ryan Conwell last week, and while the Wolfpack coaches like both players, from what I’m hearing, James would be their preference.

NC State hasn’t had James in for a visit, but that could happen soon.

James has 2 years of eligibility remaining.

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NC State Basketball

NC State’s Casey Morsell is the 4th Player in NCAA History to Start 41 Games in a Season

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1 day ago

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April 19, 2024

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NC State Guard Casey Morsell started 41 games for the Wolfpack this season, becoming the 4th player in NCAA history to do so.

 

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A post shared by NC State Basketball (@packmensbball)

Prior to this season, the record for most games started in a single season in NC State history was 37, with three Wolfpack players doing so: Lorenzo Brown, Richard Howell, CJ Williams.

Morsell now sits atop the list, and a fellow teammate, DJ Burns ranks second, with 40 games started this season.

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