Connect with us

Louisville was the aggressor the whole game except for a handful of runs the Pack mounted to prove that they were more than capable of winning tonight’s game. It just wasn’t a total team effort tonight. NC State played too much “hero ball” as everyone tried to put their own stamp on the game; however, it had the opposite effect which halted the Wolfpack’s opportunity to advance to the Elite 8. The hot topic will be did Kyle Washington get enough minutes? The simple answer is, no he did not. On the night Kyle was 4-5 for 11 points despite the fact he played less than 15 minutes total. I am not sure the logic behind the move other than his ineptitude on the defensive end as he was completely taken advantage of by Harrell, but so were all of our big men.

The two cogs that State had to stop were Rozier and Harrell and both of these guys had monster nights that ultimately lead to the demise of the Pack. Terry Rozier was unbreakable as he found a way to score (17) and tallied a game high 13 rebounds. Montrezl Harrell was equally imposing as he scored 24 points on 9-12 shooting. I had a feeling Harrell would register points but I was disappointed in how easily he scored. Our big men were lazy in allowing him to catch the ball deep inside which allowed him to get easy baskets.

The NCAA Tournament is a trying contest as it demands each team be ready each and every game, unfortunately for NC State they couldn’t over come a poor shooting night to advance. Shooting 38.3 percent from the field is an easy recipe for a loss and combine that with a mediocre at best defensive effort and the Wolfpack were lucky to only lose by 10 points. The Pack must learn how to work for good shots. All to often our guys try and make incredibly difficult shots that are not called for, especially early in the shot clock. Our team is very talented but we sometimes rely too much on our talent and not enough on our system which is in place to put them in the best possible spots. Hopefully in the offseason our guys can learn how the offense is simply a blueprint to put them in the best situations to use their strengths!

It is tough getting tossed from the NCAA but on a brighter note we have many of the same pieces coming back next season. Let’s hope that tonight’s loss leaves bitter taste in their mouths that can be used as a driving force to get better in the offseason. We will have more analysis and breakdown to follow and then look forward to the future.

Related Topics:
5 Comments
Subscribe
Notify of
5 Comments
newest
oldest most Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
gdtann
gdtann
8 years ago

wolfpack74 I think Gott needs to have a frank convo with him.  Kyle should have been in there in the second half more.  Especially once we saw how he affected the game in the first half.  Gott needs to tell Kyle just improve on your defense and you’ll get a lot more playing time next year.  We need Kyle he bust zones wide open and boy is it good to have depth with the big men.  So I really really hope Kyle stays.

0
wolfpack74
wolfpack74
8 years ago

Texas just fired coach Barnes.  They have recruited 2 four stars players that might become available if they wish to leave and Texas grant them their release.  One is Eric Davis whom we were after.  The other is a pg rated higher than Davis.  Someone tell Gott.

0
wolfpack74
wolfpack74
8 years ago

wormncsu The top guys are not coming to NC State in 2015.  Maybe we can get some good recruits for 2016.

0
wolfpack74
wolfpack74
8 years ago

The author is correct about the mistakes that Gott made last night.  Kyle should have been in there for offense.  The small amount of time that he played was much more productive than Turner, Abu, Anya or Freeman.  He needs to have a frank conversion with Gott or get the hell out of Raleigh.

0
wormncsu
wormncsu
8 years ago

We beat UNC, duke, Louisville, Syracuse, make the sweet sixteen by beating a #1 seed. I think this team did way more than anyone thought they would. Yes the loss and the way we lost is disappointing but come on people this is the best 4 year stretch we have had in ages. Also for those who said when Gottfried was hired that in four years sendeck would have a better program than State well look where he is now. I agree Gottfried does some questionable things but where he has brought this program should be applauded. I think the… Read more »

0

NC State Basketball

NC State Guard MJ Rice Will Be Returning Soon After Stepping Away for a Period of Time

Published

3 days ago

on

September 20, 2023

By

NC State Guard MJ Rice (6’5″/215) announced yesterday that due to personal reasons, he had to step away from the basketball program, but was excited to be back with his teammates soon. He was clear that his commitment to NC State hasn’t wavered.

(Tweet)

Life is much bigger than sports. These young men are human beings first and foremost, and as we all know, this life is never simple and easy.

Rice transferred to NC State this offseason from Kansas with three years of eligibility remaining. The former High School McDonald’s All-American didn’t get a lot of playing time in his Freshman season at Kansas, averaging 7.6 minutes per game in only 23 games played.

Coming out of Prolific Prep in California, Rice averaged 20.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game as a Senior. Rivals ranked him as a 5-star prospect, ON3 ranked him 24th nationally, and ESPN ranked him as the #1 player in the state of North Carolina.

Whatever Rice is working through, we value him as a person more than we do a player.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

NC State Announces Hiring of Larry Dixon as NC State Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach

Published

1 month ago

on

August 24, 2023

By

RALEIGH – NC State men’s basketball head coach Kevin Keatts announced Wednesday that Larry Dixon has joined his staff as an assistant coach.

Dixon comes to NC State after spending the last five seasons as an assistant coach at South Florida.

The NCAA Division I Board of Directors voted in January to allow two more assistant coaches on men’s basketball staffs. Dixon, will serve as one of the Pack’s two new assistant coaches that can engage in coaching activities but may not recruit off campus.

“I think Larry is a great addition to our staff,” Keatts said. “He’s a North Carolina native that has dedicated himself to a coaching career since graduating from college. He started at the high school level in North Carolina and eventually moved up to college and now has been a Division I assistant coach for almost 20 years. I think his experience is going to be a great asset for me and our coaching staff, as well as the young men in our program as we develop them on and off the court.”

Larry Dixon joined the USF coaching staff as assistant coach on May 12, 2018.

In just his second season with the team in 2018-19, Dixon helped USF to the top win turnaround in the NCAA during the 2018-19 season, as the Bulls won 14 more games than the previous season. In addition, USF turned in a 24-14 overall record to set a new single-season school record for wins. The Bulls would go on to win the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) championship and claim the program’s first postseason title since 1990.

Dixon also played an instrumental role in the development of 2019 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year Laquincy Rideau and 2019 American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Alexis Yetna.

Dixon helped USF become one of the top defensive teams in the NCAA during the 2019-20 season, finishing the year ranked 20th in scoring defense by allowing only 62.7 points per game. The Bulls limited eight teams to fewer than 60 points during the season and held 27 of their 31 opponents under their scoring average at the time of play. The Bulls also ranked 44th in the nation in turnovers forced with 15.6 per game, and stood 65th in the NCAA in steals with 7.5 thefts per game.

In 2021-22, Dixon helped develop Russel Tchewa and Corey Walker Jr. into one of the best frontcourt tandems in the league. The Bulls were again among the top defensive teams in the country, ranking 45th in the NCAA in scoring defense (64.9 ppg).

Dixon came to Tampa after five seasons as an assistant at Georgia Southern under head coach Mark Byington. Prior to his stint with the Eagles, Dixon had collegiate assistant coaching jobs at Winthrop (2007-12), East Carolina (2005-07), South Carolina State (2003-05) and St. Andrews College (2002-03).

In his final season at Georgia Southern, Dixon helped lead the Eagles to a 21-12 record, including an 11-7 mark in the Sun Belt. In 2016-17, he helped Georgia Southern reach the postseason for the first time since 2006, playing in the College Basketball Invitational.

Prior to arriving at Georgia Southern, Dixon spent the 2012-13 season as head coach at York Comprehensive High School in York, S.C.

During his five seasons (2007-12) on the coaching staff at Winthrop under head coach Randy Peele, Dixon was recognized as the top assistant coach in the Big South by Fox Sports.

Before entering the college game, Dixon served as the head coach at Garinger High School in Charlotte, N.C. for three seasons. In 2001, he led Garinger to a North Carolina High School sectional championship and earned Mecklenburg County Coach of the Year honors from the Charlotte Observer. Dixon also spent one season as an assistant at Carver High School in Winston-Salem, N.C. and one season at South Rowan High School in his hometown of Salisbury, N.C.

Dixon graduated from Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, N.C) in 1996, where he was a four-year letterman as a player. He was named the team’s most improved player following his junior season and the top defensive player after his senior season. He helped the Golden Bulls to a pair of CIAA Southern Division titles and a championship game appearance as a sophomore.

A native of Salisbury, N.C., Dixon has two children, Devin and Leah.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

NC State Releases 2023-24 Men’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule

Published

1 month ago

on

August 9, 2023

By

NC State released their 2023-24 Men’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule today.

Image

Below is a look at each teams 2022-23 record, postseason play results, followed by their final rankings according to the NET and KenPom.

The Citadel – 2022-23 Record – 10-22. NET Ranking: 330/KenPom: 327
Abilene Christian – 2022-23 Record – 13-17. NET Ranking: 204/KenPom: 193
Charleston Southern – 2022-23 Record – 10-21. NET Ranking: 304/KenPom: 302
(Vegas Showdown) Vanderbilt – 2022-23 Record – 22-15. NET Ranking: 81/KenPom: 81 (Won 2 games in the NIT)
(Vegas Showdown) Arizona St. – 23-13. NET Ranking: 61/KenPom: 55 (Lost in 2nd Round of NCAA Tournament)
or
(Vegas Showdown) BYU – 2022-23 Record – 19-15. NET Ranking: 84/KenPom: 77
@ Ole Miss – 2022-23 Record – 12-21. NET Ranking: 129/KenPom: 122
Maryland Eastern Shore – 2022-23 Record – 18-13. KenPom: 251
UT Martin – 2022-23 Record – 19-14. NET Ranking: 251/KenPom: 273
(Hall of Fame San Antonio) Tennessee – 2022-23 Record – 25-11. NET Ranking: 5/KenPom: 6 (Lost in Sweet 16 of NCAA Tournament)
Saint Louis – 2022-23 Record – 21-12. NET Ranking: 97/96
Detroit – 2022-23 Record – 14-19. NET Ranking: 212/KenPom: 200

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

NC State Men’s Basketball to Play Vanderbilt in Opening Round of Vegas Showdown

Published

2 months ago

on

August 8, 2023

By

The bracket for the Vegas Showdown on November 23-24 has been released, and NC State will play Vanderbilt in the opening round on ESPN2. They will either play Arizona State or BYU the following day, depending on how it shakes out.

Vanderbilt finished the regular season last year with a record of 22-15, and were ranked 81st according to KenPom. Arizona St. finished the regular season with a record of 23-13, and were ranked 55th according to KenPom. BYU finished the regular season with a record of 19-15, and were ranked 77th according to KenPom.

Continue Reading