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NC State has had a rough season, to say the least. They have lost five in a row looking lost most of the time. The Pack must find a way to get over themselves as they host UNC this Wednesday night. What are the keys to the game for the Wolfpack to atone for their earlier encounter with the Tarheels?

The Pack must be physical with Carolina.

The Tarheels are among the best in the country at rebounding the basketball. They fight hard on both ends of the court to secure rebounds. Their ability to attack the offensive glass helps them secure extra possessions as well as easy baskets. The Wolfpack need a complete team effort to limit Carolina on the glass. That means being physical in boxing out with each player putting a body on their man each time the ball goes up. Malik Abu and Omer Yurtseven will need to make contact with UNC big men by moving them out of the way using their legs instead of their arms. The Pack will need to be tough if they are going to upset Carolina. They cannot back down if they do it will be another lopsided result.

Be the aggressors on offense.

Offensively NC State needs to handle Carolina’s pressure on the perimeter with poise and aggression. Dennis Smith, Terry Henderson, and Maverick Rowan cannot turn their back once they catch the ball. Instead, they need to be strong ripping the ball through and facing the basket so they can be a threat to shoot, dribble, or pass. Joel Berry took Dennis Smith out of the game last time these teams met by forcing him to initiate the offense too far out on the court. Smith needs to be aggressive attacking the paint taking the ball at Berry, not settling for quick jump shots. NC State will need to be patient staying within themselves moving the ball and turning down contested jump shots. In the first meeting, things snowballed for the Pack which led to quick irrational shots that put them further behind, that cannot happen again.

Don’t beat yourself.

NC State cannot give UNC any extra advantages by turning the ball over or not hustling. The first meeting NC State turned the ball over a whopping 26 times (yielding 39 points for UNC) and were out-rebounded 50-36 (22-second chance points). The Wolfpack must use ball fakes and move for one another to help each other when one gets in trouble. The Pack cannot give UNC extra possessions Wednesday if they are going to have any chance of winning. Carolina is too good in transition to be gift wrapped that many turnovers. NC State needs to secure defensive rebounds because UNC is too good at capitalizing on second chances. The Wolfpack will need to be near perfect to knock off UNC on Wednesday night.

Optimism is not a word that has been thrown around in regards to NC State basketball in recent weeks. In the midst of a five-game losing streak, the Pack has a chance to end that streak with a win over UNC. In a season of little triumphs, Wednesday offers an opportunity for NC State to have a bright spot. An opportunity for a fanbase to enjoy a little relief. Can NC State band together and beat their rivals this Wednesday? Game time is at 8 o’clock at the PNC Arena with coverage on The ACC Network.

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Tarhater
Tarhater
7 years ago

General Custer, if we can just stop the first couple of attacks we will be just fine. Ice stands a better chance of staying frozen in the dessert than this team beating UNC. At least Les’ teams played with some pride. This season can’t end fast enough. Most gutless team I have ever seen wear an NC State uniform.

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Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago
Reply to  Tarhater

The high desert gets snow in the winter 🙂

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wolfpack74
wolfpack74
7 years ago

Fans need to show respect for NCState and stay home on Wednesday.

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SatchPack85
SatchPack85
7 years ago
Reply to  wolfpack74

How is that respect? No fair weather fan here.

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wolfpack74
wolfpack74
7 years ago
Reply to  SatchPack85

By showing they don’t want Gott anymore. By the looks in the stand tonight, a quite a few people stayed on.

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SatchPack85
SatchPack85
7 years ago
Reply to  wolfpack74

Fair enough.

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Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago
Reply to  SatchPack85

A fair weather fan would have quit on State during the Les/Sendek years. I can’t imagine Gottfried staying on past this season so the fans will get what they have been demanding. Hopefully Yow doesn’t hose up the search.

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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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15 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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