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NC State Hungry for More, Duke up Next

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10 years ago

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ACC Tournament Semifinals
NC State Wolfpack vs. Duke Blue Devils
3PM | Greensboro, NC  | ESPN/ACCN

The last time these two teams met it was a blowout. Duke did whatever they wanted and really just controlled every aspect of that basketball game. They shot over 50%, knocked down 11 3s and got double-digit scoring from Parker (23pts), Hood, Cook, Parker and Sulaimon.

One HUGE key for NC State will be protecting the basketball. They’ve been great as of late, holding their TOs to single digits throughout this tournament. Last time out against the Blue Devils, they turned it over 21 times. That led to multiple run-outs by Duke and tons of transition points. Duke lives off causing turnovers, but this State team is a lot different than they were during that first matchup. All of the sudden Barber is maturing and Lewis is playing stronger. The Wolfpack bigs a lot more physical than they were early in the season…but most of all, this team isn’t scared anymore. This team is hungry and they are looking at Duke like they’re their next meal.

Another key will be to slow down Jabari Parker. You can’t let him get into a rhythm. Sure he’s going to come out and take some forced shots early and try to get into takeover mode and try to prove he should have been the ACC POY, but you can’t allow easy buckets. He has to work for everything. I think State will have a much better matchup this time around as they will be able to put Lennard Freeman on him. Freeman was out last time the teams met and will be much better at staying physical with Parker and keeping him off balance.

Vandenberg might be playing his best basketball at the right time. Duke doesn’t have a quality big man so if Vandy can play like he did against Syracuse he can have a huge impact on this game. He needs to be physical on the boards and confidence on offense against a Duke team that is going to take it right at him.

Reffing needs to be solid. I just pray for an evenly called game.I know the ACC can’t stand the thought of not having a blue team in finals, but if State can keep up this run, they might have to make an exception. You saw the Pitt/Carolina game, right? When Pitt took over that game and UNC was dead in the water, the whistles really picked up. Now you might think I’m exaggerating, but it as actually the 5th most foul calls in ACC Tournament history. I’m not calling conspiracy, but all I’m saying is that the stripes get REAL controlling when one of the big dogs have an off night. Just a heads up….

So does a win get State in?
Yes, but I actually think State has a very real shot to already be in. With FSU losing and Clemson losing last night, State might have played themselves into a tourney berth. Their RPI took a huge jump last night in the win over Syracuse. They also will get a nice boost from Pitt’s win over UNC. Then you take into consideration the fact that they are red hot down the stretch and have the ACC player of the year and you might have yourself a pretty good case for an at-large bid. Heck…Dickie V thinks so….

 


 

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NC State Basketball

Georgetown Transfer Dontrez Styles Commits to NC State!

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7 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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2 days 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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