The Wolfpack looked like an unprepared, inexperienced group of freshmen and sophomores. William and Mary looked like a bunch of experienced vets as they surgically dismembered the Pack 85-68.

I’m not sure how else to describe it other than NC State looked slow, weak, and confused all night. The Tribe just played good old fashioned fundamental basketball. They protected the ball, knocked down open shots, and ran their offense to precision (52% from the field).

There honestly isn’t too many positive takeaways from this game. As for the players, Barber looked sluggish, Caleb Martin shot the ball well, but needs to expand his game and become more of a slasher and less of a spot shooter. Cody Martin is still looking for his role. Abu started off the game soft, but played like a monster after getting an earful from Gottfried. Anya looked thinner but still played way too slow for a Gottfried offense, Terry Henderson left early with a ankle injury, and Mavrick Rowan was probably the most versatile offensive weapon on the floor for the Pack (and he’s a slower than average freshman). Oh, and no one played any defense.

While that might sound negative, it’s not the end of the world. This Wolfpack team is young and there are still a lot (and I mean a lot) of basketball left to be played, but they better get their act together pretty quick because game #2 is only 2 days away.

By the Numbers:
State was out-rebounded by W&M 42-38. That’s inexcusable. The Tribe won the battle of the boards by purely out-hustling the Pack.

State shot 38% and only 27% from 3 pt range. This has got to get better and it’s going to start with shot selection. Way too many quick shots and ill-advised 3s from this team. They need to play inside out and get into an offensive flow (something we saw none of tonight.)

W&M shot 51% from the floor and 41% from 3. Sure, these guys had a great shooting night, but it’s not like State wasn’t expecting that. They jus simply missed assignments, were caught out of position and that spells disaster against a veteran team.

Caleb Martin had 21 pts, which is encouraging. But he took a lot of ill-advised shots over the course of the night and needs to become more than just a shooter if State is going to be a complete ball club.

Maverick Rowan had 16 pts, but was only 1-8 from 3pt range. The reason we were so impressed with Rowan is his style of play. Sure, the ball didnt’ go down tonight, but he played good basketball. He took mostly good shots, did not settle for only 3s, and constantly attacked the rim when no one else would. Those 3s are going to fall and I wouldn’t be surprised if Rowan is one of State’s top scorers this season (that is , if he can play good enough D to stay on the floor).

Nowhere to go but up
It’s probably not going to get any worse than it was tonight. This team does have talent, they do have length and they do have good speed. If they play together, get physical and play within the offense, they are going to improve a lot over the next few weeks.

NC State Basketball

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James Commits to NC State!

Published

5 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Matthew Bradham

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James (6’5″/200) has announced his commitment to NC State!

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This past year, James averaged 12.6 points per game (3rd on the team) and 5 rebounds. He’s extremely physical and aggressive, taking 47% of his field goal attempts at the rim (making 46%). As a result, he draws a lot of fouls, ranking 10th in the ACC in Fouls Drawn, and 4th in Free Throw Rate. James made opponents pay this year when they put him on the line, making 81.8% from the charity stripe, which ranked 15th in the ACC.

James shot the ball better as a Redshirt Freshman, than he did this past season. His Effective Field Goal Percentage in 2022-23 was 55.8%, which ranked 19th in the ACC, and his True Shooting Percentage of 59.6% ranked 14th.

News broke about James entering the Transfer Portal back on March 25th, and NC State was quick to reach out. Kevin Keatts and his staff recruited the former 4-star prospect out of high school heavily, but he ultimately chose the Cardinals.

After redshirting his first year in Louisville due to torn achilles, James has been a starter for the Cardinals the past two years.

He does have the ability to knock down a three, making 34.8% for his career.

James has 2 years of eligibility remaining. With James’ commitment, NC State currently has 1 scholarship available for next season.

NC State Basketball

Bowling Green Transfer Guard Marcus Hill is on a Visit to NC State

Published

21 hours ago

April 22, 2024

Matthew Bradham

Bowling Green Transfer Guard Marcus Hill (6’4″/185) confirmed with me that he is currently on a visit at NC State.

Hill averaged 20.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Falcons this season. He earned 1st Team All-MAC honors. Even though he was only at Bowling Green one season, he had one of the best seasons in school history, scoring 698 points, which ranks 5th all-time in program history for a single season.

For his first two years of collegiate ball, Hill played for Southern Union State College (JUCO) in Alabama. In 2022-23, Hill earned 3rd Team NJCAA All-American honors, and ranked as the #32 overall Junior College prospect.

247Sports ranks Hill as a 4-Star Transfer Prospect, and the #78 overall player in the Transfer Portal, and the #11 Shooting Guard.

According to a source, the NC State Coaching Staff is extremely high on Hill, and they are recruiting him as a Point Guard.

NC State Basketball

What did an ACC Title & Final Four Mean to NC State Legend Dennis Smith Jr.?

Published

1 day ago

April 22, 2024

Matthew Bradham

What did an ACC Title & Final Four mean to NC State Legend Dennis Smith Jr.? The man who won the ACC Rookie of the Year Award in 2017 gave me a statement.

It means a lot. It means a lot to the university, the state of North Carolina and a lot more to my dad, grandma, and myself. They have been NC State fans since forever, so their excitement level was though the roof when they saw BOTH of our basketball teams shining like that. It was a great feeling!

2017 was Smith Jr.’s only year of College ball, averaging 18.1 points, 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals. He earned 2nd Team All-ACC honors, and obviously, he earned a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team.

DSJ was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the 9th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Smith Jr. just wrapped up his 7th season in the NBA. This was his 1st season with Brooklyn, playing in 56 games for the Nets. He averaged 6.6 points, 3.6 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, averaging 18.9 minutes per contest.