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Gameday: NC State Looks To Regroup Against GT

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9 years ago

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NC State @ Georgia Tech
12 noon | ACCN | Atlanta, GA

NC State needs to get back on track and fast. The Pack has fallen to 13-9 and 4-5 in the ACC. While none of their losses have been bad (RPI wise) the guys need to start winning again if they want to be a lock in March. Today’s game will be the first step in that direction.

What’s the Lineup?
Since Cody Martin has entered the Wolfpack starting lineup, the team has gone 1-3. At the surface you’d think it’s obvious that you need to put Cat back into the starting PG role, but look a closer and that might not be the case. In 2 of those 3 losses NC State was up by 18 or more early in the first half. In both of those games NC State started off very strong, but then lost their way. I think keeping Cody in the starting lineup is something Gottfried should stick with, but I think it’s playing with the lead that this team needs to worry about.

Playing withe the Lead
GT is one of the worst teams in the league this season. They sit at 1-7 in the league and have just not been able to get anything going thus far. It’s likely that the Pack is going to get a decent lead at some point today (barring a repeat of that Clemson game last week). When they get that lead they need to learn how to play with it. In the recent games they’ve dominated early the equation has been obvious. They are working inside-out and focusing on getting Abu in the paint. In the two games they did this, Abu got in foul trouble on the other end and they were forced to go with a different line up. This is when things fell apart. They can not abandon that type of play. They need to feed their bigs and allow their guards to play off of that. Teams are keying on Lacey and Turner and it’s making it hard for them to get off. With Abu, Washington and Anya getting touches down low, all of the sudden the defense needs to react, collapse and that’s when you’ll see Lacey and Turner really able to do some damage.

Get to the Line
State has had a hard time getting to the line lately. A big reason is that they don’t have anyone attacking. Abu is doing it and he is getting to the line and the Martins have been on occassion doing it as well. Lacey has the ability to do it and so does Washington but those two lean on their jumpers a little too much. Of course, their jumpers are a big part of their games and should not be abandoned, but when you jump out to big leads you can’t just sit back and shoot it, you have to put the pressure on the defense, wear them down and get to the line for some free points.

Now or Never
State deserpeately needs these next two games. You have GT today and then Wake. Both very winnable games. After that however is #2 UVA and #10 Louisville. If State keeps slipping on winnable games they are going to be dug into a whole too deep to get out of. They need to win all of their remaining winnable games and then steal one from UVA, Louisville or UNC if they want to be a lock.

 

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Wolfer96
Wolfer96
9 years ago

I don’t know what finally made it click for Cat Barber but he played like the ball was a hot potato. Instead of the usual dribbling the ball for 25 seconds each possession, he actually moved the ball. And he was actually contributing on offense. Still not a fan of his but he could use more games like this. With all the rebounds we were giving up Gott switched to zone. However, I thought that he should have gone to zone earlier and with a bigger lineup. That would have helped with Abu’s foul trouble as well. Not sure why… Read more »

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NC State Basketball

Georgetown Transfer Dontrez Styles Commits to NC State!

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5 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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NC State Basketball

NC State Forward Katie Peneueta Enters the Transfer Portal

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1 day ago

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April 17, 2024

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NC State Forward Katie Peneueta is entering the Transfer Portal.

Peneueta transferred to NC State last offseason from Sacramento State, where she averaged 8.4 points, shooting 45.5% from three.

In her one year at NC State, Peneueta only played 8 games for the Wolfpack, battling injuries throughout the year. Peneueta has 1 year of eligibility.

With Peneueta entering the Portal, NC State now has 3 scholarships available heading into the 2024-25 season.

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NC State Basketball

Boston Center Caitlin Weimar is on an Official Visit to NC State

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1 day ago

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April 17, 2024

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Boston Transfer Center Caitlin Weimar (6’4″) is currently on an Official Visit to NC State.

Weimar is the reigning Patriot League Player of the Year, and has been named Defensive Player of the Year the past two years. She has earned 1st Team Patriot League Honors the past two seasons.

This year, Weimar averaged 18.7 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. As a Junior, she averaged 15.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. She shot 55.5% this year, and 59.7% last year.

With NC State not having River Baldwin at Center next year, adding Weimar is an extremely exciting possibility.

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NC State Basketball

What did an ACC Title & Final Four Mean to NC State Legend TJ Warren?

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1 day ago

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April 17, 2024

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What did an ACC Title & Final Four mean to NC State Legend TJ Warren? I caught up with the man who won the ACC Player of the Year Award in 2014 to get his take.

What was it like for you watching NC State go from the #10 seed in the ACC Tournament, to winning the Championship, to going to the Final Four?

I’m a second generation Wolfpack basketball player. Wolf blood runs through my veins, so to be able to witness a ride like that was truly amazing.

What did this run say about Kevin Keatts and these players? In what ways did you see them adapt, change or persevere?

I think that is speaks to the heart that the players have. As a 10th seed in the ACC tournament, it’s easy to pack it in and look towards the offseason, but they did the opposite. They bonded together over adversity and that’s what made them so endearing. Hard work in the face of adversity, that’s something that Wolfpack fans can relate to.

As one of the best players to ever wear the Red & White, what did this run mean to you personally?

As I mentioned earlier, NCSU hoops has been in my family for a long time, so it meant a whole lot personally. This run definitely took me back to some of the fond memories I have of putting on the Red & White and playing in front of a packed house at the PNC.

What was the most memorable moment for you?

I think Mike’s shot to tie the game at the end of regulation. It just felt like destiny at that point. Anytime you get to beat UNC and Duke days apart is special too.

How do you think this run can change things for the NC State Basketball program going forward?

I think that it puts us back on the national radar where we belong. After a magical run like that, I think it makes players want to be a part of that. A run like that reinvigorates a program definitely.

_______

Warren is 1 of only 6 NC State players to ever be named the ACC Player of the Year. In his Sophomore season, Warren was named a 2nd Team All-American by Sporting News and the AP. He averaged 24.9 points per game, which is the 5th best mark in a single season in NC State history. Warren scored 871 points that year, which is the most points ever scored in a single season by a Wolfpack player.

TJ was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 14th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

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