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Pregame Quick Hits: NC State vs. Clemson

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9 years ago

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Tomorrow night the Clemson Tigers travel to PNC Arena looking to build upon their most recent win against Wake Forest. The Tigers have not been consistent this season as they have only beaten one ranked opponent (Arkansas), but we cannot underestimate them as they only have one less win than State in the ACC. Leading the way for Clemson is Jaron Blossomgame a 6-7 forward that leads their squad in points (13.3) and rebounds (8.2). He has provided some noteworthy highlights on the season as he explodes towards the rim, check out this video on YouTube. In the clip you can see how he likes to use the sweep through to blow past his defender and then finishes in traffic with authority.

Flanking Blossomgame is true Freshman Donte Grantham (Rivals Top 100). A four star recruit out of high school that is starting to get acclimated to the ACC. In the Tigers win against Syracuse the 6-8 forward scored a career high 16 points and displayed a smooth stroke from distance; hitting 4 threes. Look for Grantham to use his length to shoot over his defender tomorrow night. The good news on Grantham is that he is only shooting 27 percent from three on the season, so it may be ideal if he settles for threes instead of using his length to get inside.

A steady hand at point is needed in the ACC and luckily for the Tigers they have Rod Hall. The senior point guard is averaging 9.6 points per and just shy of 4 assists per contest. Experience is on Hall’s side as he as played over 3,200 minutes and counting. State must be on their toes as Hall will undoubtedly make them pay for any lapses on defense. The senior is also the unquestioned leader of the Tigers and does an excellent job of leading his teammates.

The time is NOW… State must prove that they are ready to start obliterating their opponents. Tomorrow night NC State is the better team and they must play like it! Energy, focus, and pride must be displayed if they are going to finally break through and blow a team out. No more racing out to big leads only to let the challenger creep back in because of poor execution. No more sluggish starts. We must win the next 3 games… The streak must start at 1 tomorrow.

If we can win the next 3 outings that will put us at 7-4 in the ACC with two big games to follow as we host the Cavaliers and then travel to Louisville. If we are to make the tournament we have to find a way to win one of those two games. Our players must stay focused and play all out no matter who they are line up against. All to often we have seen this group play down to a team only to make things way too interesting. Can the Pack kick the habit tomorrow? 

Tip-Off is at 9PM on the ACCN/Raycom.

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Wolfer96
Wolfer96
9 years ago

Real_Pack_Man You need to update your post. Add Clemson to that ugly losses category.

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Real_Pack_Man
Real_Pack_Man
9 years ago

NC State seems to be falling into the ‘beat who you should beat’ category, with of course a few notable exceptions.  For the most part, every team we have lost to has been a tournament or bubble team.  The good news is that this culminates to “no horrible loses” on our schedule, but up’s the ante on games like the next three.  Good observation, PI.

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NC State Basketball

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James is Currently Visiting NC State

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3 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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7 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’s Casey Morsell is the 4th Player in NCAA History to Start 41 Games in a Season

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12 hours 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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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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Georgetown Transfer Dontrez Styles Commits to NC State!

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23 hours ago

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April 18, 2024

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Georgetown Forward Transfer Dontrez Styles (6’6″/212) has committed to NC State!

Styles was the 2nd leading scorer for Georgetown this season, averaging 12.8 points per game, while grabbing 5.8 boards. He shot 36.8% from three.

Originally, Sytles was a consensus 4-Star prospect in UNC’s 2021 recruiting class. 247Sports ranked him as the #62 overall player nationally, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina, playing for Kinston High School.

After two seasons with the Tar Heels, Styles entered the Portal, and took an Official Visit to NC State and Georgetown, and ultimately chose the Hoyas.

ON3 ranks Styles as the #104 overall player in the Portal.

With his final year of eligibility, Styles’ made the right choice this time.

NC State now has 2 scholarships remaining after Styles’ commitment.

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