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NC State Basketball

TJ Warren “ Phoenix’s Rising Sun”

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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 Basketball

An NC State Win Over Marquette in the Sweet 16 Would Be…

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Awesome. Obviously.

#11 seed NC State will play #2 seed Marquette tomorrow night in the Sweet 16. What would a win mean for the Wolfpack? Many things, but here’s just a few:

It would give NC State 25 wins on the year (25-14), which would be the most wins since 1982-83, when the Wolfpack went 26-10, winning the National Championship.

It would mark the 12th time in school history that NC State has won 25+ games in a single season.

1982-83 – 26-10 

1973-74 – 30-1 

1972-73 – 27-0 

1954-55 – 28-4 

1953-54 – 26-7

1952-53 – 26-6 

1950-51 – 30-7 

1949-50 – 27-6 

1948-49 – 25-8 

1947-48 – 29-3

1946-47- 26-5

It would be the 7th time NC State has advanced to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament.

1950

1951

1974

1983

1985

1986

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NC State Basketball

NC State has Won 5 ACC Championships this Year

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NC State has won 5 ACC Championships this year, which is the most of any athletic program in the conference this year.

The Wolfpack has won ACC Titles in Women’s Cross Country, Men’s Swimming & Diving, Wrestling, Men’s Basketball and Gymnastics.

The last time NC State won 5 ACC Championships in one year was 1979-80.

As far as I can tell, here’s a look at the Wolfpack Conference Titles from 1979-80:

Football
Women’s Basketball
Women’s Cross Country
Men’s Swimming & Diving
Men’s Tennis

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NC State Basketball

NC State is 1 of 4 Schools to Have Both Men & Women’s Basketball Teams in Sweet 16

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NC State is 1 of 4 schools to have their Men and Women’s Basketball teams BOTH advance to the Sweet 16, along with Duke, Gonzaga and UCONN.

NC State and Duke are the only two schools in the country to send both Basketball teams to the Sweet 16, and also send the Football team to a bowl game.

This marks only the third time in school history that BOTH teams made the Sweet 16.

Years NC State’s Men & Women’s Teams Made the Sweet 16

1985
1989
2024

Despite the fact that the Men’s team has made the Elite 8 six times (1950, 1951, 1974, 1983, 1985, 1986), and the Women have made it 2 times (1998 & 2022), in the three occasions they both went to the Sweet 16 in the same year, neither team advanced to the Elite 8.

In 2024, Why Not Us?

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NC State Basketball

#3 seed NC State Holds on Against #6 Seed Tennessee, Defeating the Vols 79-72 to Advance to the Sweet 16

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#3 seed NC State held on last night, defeating #6 seed Tennessee 79-72 in Reynolds Coliseum to advance to the Sweet 16 for the 5th time in the last 6 tournaments.

The Wolfpack led by only 1 after the 1st Quarter, but they looked like they had things under control at halftime, leading by 18 points.

At one point, NC State led by as much as 20 points in the 3rd Quarter, but the Lady Volunteers weren’t about to give up.

With 4:19 left in the 4th, Tennessee cut the lead to 2 points, but NC State might have bent, but they wouldn’t break.

Junior Guard Aziaha James led the way with 22 points and 7 assists, which were both team highs. She scored 7 points in the final 3.5 minutes, helping to squash tue Last Vols’ comeback attempt.

Junior Guard Saniya Rivers had 20 points (6-14 FG) and 6 boards.

Freshman Zoe Brooks was clutch off the bench, chipping in 16 points and 6 boards.

This marks the 16th time the NC State Women’s Basketball team has advanced to the Sweet 16.

The Wolfpack will play #2 seed Stanford on Friday night at 7:30pm on ESPN in Portland.

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