NC State switched it up by starting Cody Martin in place of his brother Caleb, whose struggles have been well documented. Cody’s solidity in comparison gives Gottfried more flexibility. In the first half alone Cody helped the Pack stay with the Heels as they found themselves knotted up 29-29 at half. By starting the game with Cody, Coach Gottfried sent a message to his team that he is favoring effort and aggression.
This message was heard by everyone. State played with a little more edge and hustle than a normal game, but accumulated more fouls than normal. Early in the second half State was running low on options in the paint as both Abu and Anya had 3 fouls before the first media timeout in the second half. On the day UNC had more depth than State, playing 10 different guys, compared to the Wolfpack’s 7.
By and large NC State played a great game defensively as they forced UNC into tough shots and held them to a low percentage. For the game the Tarheels only shot 37%. However State could not overcome 18 turnovers, which resulted in extra possessions for the Heels. Not only did the turnovers give UNC extra chances, but so did giving up 21 offensive rebounds.
State hung around but could not get over the hump. One reason was a subpar showing from Barber who had been magnificent thus far. Cat looked timid and had many more turnovers than usual (5). This anomaly continued as he didn’t even look for his shot and was consistently a step slow. If State was going to win at the Dean Dome they had to get an All-American performance out of the leading scorer in the ACC.
Glancing at the final stat sheet I would of liked NC State’s chances as they held Marcus Paige to 3 points, Bryce Johnson to 6 points, and Justin Jackson to 6 points. The reason State lost is because they could not score and they allowed Meeks to score 23 points (18 in the second half) and Joel Berry pitched in 14 on the day. State had a chance but it just wasn’t in the cards.
wormncsu Too much turn over each year. Gott’s got to go.
wormncsu
8 years ago
We have a football team who can barely win a few conference games and now a basketball team who can’t win a conference game. I guess the only bright spot are the women’s basketball team is playing well. I am 39 years old and get tired of a couple decent years then returning to bottom dwellers.
wolfpack74
8 years ago
0-5, when will it end? Mercy, mercy, no mas. Play Kirk or expire, Gott.
Boston Transfer Center Caitlin Weimar (6’4″) is currently on an Official Visit to NC State.
Sources tell me Caitlin Weimar (6’4” Forward transfer from Boston U) is currently on a visit to NC State.
She ranked 44th in D1 (scoring) last season at 18.7 ppg & 15th in rebounding at 10.6 rpg, in addition to 2.0 apg, 1.3 spg & 2.8 bpg. pic.twitter.com/d2y4jACx2K
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.
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.
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.
wormncsu Too much turn over each year. Gott’s got to go.
We have a football team who can barely win a few conference games and now a basketball team who can’t win a conference game. I guess the only bright spot are the women’s basketball team is playing well. I am 39 years old and get tired of a couple decent years then returning to bottom dwellers.
0-5, when will it end? Mercy, mercy, no mas. Play Kirk or expire, Gott.