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Quick Hits: Louisville

Published

9 years ago

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The ACC has added depth and competition and a big reason why it’s stronger than ever is because of Louisville. This season the Cardinals have proven to be one of the best teams in the ACC as well as the country. Coming into the game this Saturday Louisville stands at 20-4 and ranked 9th in the country. Not only has Louisville proved to be good offensively but they have made their hay on the defensive end. The Cards rank in the top 15 in both steals (11th) and blocks (8th) in the NCAA.

A hallmark of Rick Pitino’s teams is a menacing full court defense that they use to get opposing teams out of sorts. That is how they come up with so many steals as their hectic pressure forces opponents to make ill-advised passes. If a team is going to gamble as much as the Cards do, then you better have some rim protection to clean up the mistakes. Luckily the Cardinals have Montrezl Harrell (6-8) and Mangok Mathiang (6-10) who both average over a block a game. Even though Louisville is great at ramping up the pressure it does leave them susceptible to mistakes and easy buckets. In the four losses they have on the season there was a common thread…That being all four team attacked their pressure and looked to score instead of just getting it past the time line. State must use their quickness to attack off of the press. Cat and Trevor must make quick decisions and move the ball quickly in order to come away with a win.

Louisville has done an excellent job all season of getting ready for each opponent as they have not dropped a game to unranked team thus far. Their four losses have been too formidable foes all ranked in the top 20. Not only does Louisville wear a team out defensively but they look to push the ball and tempo at every chance. Terry Rozier (6-1) a dynamic sophomore guard out of Ohio leads the Cards attack offensively, not only is he their leading scorer but he also leads the ACC in PPG at 18.5. By using his outstanding strength and toughness Rozier wills his way into the paint with reckless abandonment, which leads to him getting points at the foul line. State must be prepared to take a charge to take advantage of his reckless play.

Flanking Rozier is Harrell, the junior power forward puts the power in the position. He is a bull as he attacks the rim with force looking to take his defender with him. On the season he is averaging 15.8 points per and 9.2 boards. Our big men must be ready for a physical affair and put a body on Harrell. If they allow him a couple of highlight worthy plays the KFC YUM! Center will become a nightmare. There is definitely a couple of chinks in Harrell’s armor though, that being his willingness to settle for three-pointers and his emotions. Hopefully State can coax him into settling early and often for contested jump shots. The weakness that State needs to expose is his emotions. Harrell has let his emotions get out of hand which has lead to a couple of technicals and even a suspension this season. I am not suggesting the Pack do anything outside the lines of the game; but they need to be physical with him.

The only way NC State escapes Louisville with a win is to play with a copious amount of energy coupled with outstanding focus. If State can attack Louisville off of the press and limit their turnovers I am confident that they can come away with a win. I think Coach Gottfried needs to adjust the line-up to have more ball handlers who are capable of attacking the rim. Will we see more of Dez Lee? I am not sure, but the type of game the Cards prefer plays right into Lee’s strengths. Hopefully the Pack will continue to play hard and force the NCAA Committee to look their way once the season is in the books.

Redemption is less than 24 hours away as the Pack square off with the Cardinals at 4PM on Saturday. Catch all of the action on ESPN.

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Wolfer96
Wolfer96
9 years ago

Watching the game, I can tell you what jumped out at me. Gott finally employed the pick and roll. And not just once or twice an entire game but using it as the primary offensive play. And it has been effective. 

That high post crap was before the 3 point shot existed. We need to stick with this pick and roll, pick and pop.

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NC State Basketball

NC State Forward Katie Peneueta Enters the Transfer Portal

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10 hours 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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15 hours 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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What did an ACC Title & Final Four Mean to NC State Legend TJ Warren?

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18 hours 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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NC State Forward Ernest Ross Enters the Transfer Portal

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2 days ago

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April 16, 2024

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NC State Forward Ernest Ross announced today that he is entering the Transfer Portal.

 

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Ross played in 14 games this year, averaging 3.4 minutes per contest. After playing in 34 games last season, averaging 11.4 minutes per contest, Ross saw his participation dip to a career low this season, but that didn’t for a second break his infectious personality. On the sideline, you could count on Ross every single game to be the heart and soul of the Wolfpack on the bench. To watch a player who played as little as he did, care as much as he did, makes me super proud that this young man represented NC State so well.

Ross was a consensus 4-star player in the 2021 recruiting class, with 247Sports ranking him as the #60 overall player nationally. ESPN ranked him as the #5 overall player in the state of Florida.

Ross has one more year of eligibility remaining.

NC State has 3 scholarships available now.

Best of luck Ernest!

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