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NC State Basketball

Meet the SWAT Team

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Never mentioned, rarely seen, and their importance is only known by a few. What am I talking about? I am talking about the members of the Swat Team. Composed mostly of walk-ons and graced with a few scholarship players at times. Their job is simple yet more difficult than most. The basic job of the Swat Team is to mimic and prepare the rotation players for upcoming opponents that the Pack will play.

Commonly known by most as the scout team, our group likes to be known as the Swat Team. I am really not sure who was the originator of the title; it was first mentioned in my junior year. I think it was a combination of Coach Lutz and Staats Battle.

Those who are members of Coach Lutz’s special group include all walk-ons and transfers who are sitting out because of NCAA regulated rules. It is a growth period for these guys who are sitting out. I saw Ralston Turner really progress as player due to constantly being called upon to play an important role on the Swat Team my senior year. Most of his assignments put him against the best players on our starting 5. He was also tasked with having to be the guy on offense for Coach Lutz. Ralston would play the role of the opposing team’s most dangerous scorer. He became comfortable in this role and it showed in his confidence to play through the ups and downs within a season.

Last season I know Trevor Lacey was in a similar situation. It will pay big dividends for him this season. I am sure he was forced to guard TJ Warren countless times last season, this will only help him once the season starts. As for this season I am sure that Terry Henderson will get a lot of run on the Swat Team.

Coach Lutz and other assistants help spearhead all the preparation of the Swat Team. Each opponent is carefully studied and charted. Then the walk-ons must do their best to learn many different systems and wrinkles to best simulate certain situations that will be seen come game time.

Certain qualities are a must for those who are trusted to run with Coach Lutz’s team. Everyone must have thick skin, listening abilities, toughness, and amnesia. Without a doubt at some point all members of the team will be yelled at, or put at a disadvantage simply from the facts that they are going up against players that are better than them. They must play extremely hard in order to make up for their lack of athleticism compared to many of the top players that have been recruited by Coach Gottfried and his Assistants.

Continuity is not on their side either; these players must be capable of adapting to ever changing schemes and wrinkles. They must know more plays and tendencies than the average player. Time is not on their side; many times there is only a couple of days at best to prepare for your next opponent. However I must say that all of the members of the Swat Team deserve credit! They approach their jobs each day with a blue-collar work ethic. They know there is little fanfare or accolades that will come from their countless hours of sacrifice. Yet they come back each and every practice and give it their all!

Have you ever wondered why there is so much happiness and cheering from all members from the team and staff when a walk-on scores a basket in a game that’s outcome has been decided? The reason is because everyone within a team realizes the sacrifice they put in everyday. Their jobs are inherently difficult, however, I would suggest that it is all worth it in the moment that they make a shot in front of a home crowd at the PNC. I am sure that is a feeling like none other.

Early in the season I am sure there will be a game where the Pack is up big, instead of heading for the parking lot early…stay and help make that moment a member of the Swat Team gets into the game even more special. It is very entertaining to see just how many contested three pointers will be taken, however, more times than not someone will score and all out hysteria will take place on the bench! You will want to be a part of it.

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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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