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Game Time: 7 o’clock | TV: ESPN2 | Location: FSU

Florida State and NC State square off tonight as the Seminoles look to remain undefeated at home. The Wolfpack are trying to gain a big road win to shock some much-needed life into their season. What are the keys to the game for NC State?

The Pack must give themselves a chance tonight by winning the hustle battle.

Florida State is the superior team as evident by their 20-4 record; however; NC State, has a fighter’s chance if they control the boards. The Noles and the Pack are even in RPG at 37. The Wolfpack must be aggressive attacking the glass on both ends of the court, especially securing the defensive glass. Florida State’s offense is potent and cannot be allowed extra possessions as a result of offensive rebounds. NC State’s defense has struggled mightily but needs to help themselves by rebounding the basketball. Abu and company will need to put a body on every FSU player as they are too long and athletic to out jump for rebounds. In each of FSU’s four losses this season, they have lost the rebounding battle.

NC State will need to keep turnovers to a minimum as Florida State excels at creating easy offense off turnovers.

The Pack has been solid offensively the past two games averaging 1.25 points per possession but has nothing to show for it. Florida State is among the best at creating turnovers as opponents are averaging 15.2 a game. NC State will need to handle FSU’s pressure defense as they extend their defense beyond the three-point line to disrupt teams offensive flow. Teams can beat the Noles off the dribble because of their aggressive defensive tactics; however, they are solid at their help-side rotations. The Pack must attack the paint to draw help-side defenders and not hesitate at getting rid of the ball. Florida State recovers quickly on defense which is why NC State must be decisive. The Wolfpack has players capable of getting to the paint it is just a matter of not settling for contested jump shots.

The Wolfpack must be ready to defend in transition.

Florida State is great in the open court as they have guys who run the floor hard looking to score. Dwayne Bacon and company are capable of scoring quickly off of teams makes or misses. Wolfpack guards will need to get back defensively if they don’t FSU will be shooting layups all night. NC State cannot afford to celebrate any made shots because the Noles will push the ball up the court to take advantage.

A road matchup aginst a team that is undefeated at home presents quite the challenge as well as an opportunity for NC State. The Wolfpack have a chance to notch another big win on the road. They desperately need a good effort tonight to gain some confidence to finish the season on a positive note. Can NC State hang with the Noles tonight at 7 o’clock? Tune into ESPN2 to find out.

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Tarhater
Tarhater
7 years ago

As Scooby Doo says all the time “Rut row Shaggy!” This is a terrible match up for the Wuffies. Big guards who shoot the 3 ball really well and a defense that creates lots of turnovers. DS,jr NBA audition could even hit a wall tonight as the Noles throw a lot of bodies at him to create even more chaos on the court. If we can get Mav, Hendu and Abu going we might have a chance.Don’t bet the mortgage

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NC State Basketball

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James is Currently Visiting NC State

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6 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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10 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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16 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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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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NC State Basketball

Georgetown Transfer Dontrez Styles Commits to NC State!

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1 day 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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