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NC State went on the road to take on #20 Pitt and made a massive statement, crushing the Panthers 78-61.

The Pack came into this game 0-5 in the ACC and on the verge of total collapse. But an encouraging outing against #5 UNC led them coming out with total confidence against the Panthers and leaving with a very convincing victory.

A major difference has been the uptick in minutes for sophomore Cody Martin. The do it all wingman has been a revelation for Gottfried and company. Not only has he been the team’s lock down defender, but he’s given the them a guy who can create a little bit off the dribble, someone who is a pass first type player and a guy who is patient in the offense.

While Martin has really changed the way this team plays, he’s not the real reason for this victory. Cat Barber, who is honestly turning into one of the best scoring guards in the country, turned in another massive performance. The junior PG played magnificent. He finished with 31 points, 7 boards and 8 assists. Although he did turn the ball over 8 times, his scoring and ball handling really made a massive difference.

Inside it, once again, was the Abu show. The kid is becoming a man. As we stated from the beginning of the season: If NC state is going to become a great team, they are going to need Malik Abu to be a go-to scorer on the blocks. He has become just that. Nothing his 8th double-double in the past 10 games, the sophomore big went 7-13 shooting for 16 points and grabbed 10 boards.

Two other guys that had big games were Mav Rowan and Lennard Freeman. Rowan, who decommitted from Pitt to attend NC State, came out looking to show the Panthers what they missed out on. The freshman sharp shooter went 5-11 and 4-6 from beyond the arc for 14 points, while Freeman snatched up a game high 14 rebounds.

At the end of the day though, NC State won this game on the defensive end. With physical play, tough rebounding and great position defense, they were able to keep Pitt 37% shooting. They also kept them off balance when they took it to the hoop by taking 4 charges on the night.

This was a massive win and one that could turn the tide for this young team. Next up is Duke who has lost 3 straight and will be very hungry for a win at the PNC. The two storylines will collide on Saturday when something has to give. The game is at 2pm in Raleigh.

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Earl
13 years ago

I can’t say I was surprised at how the season ended. I don’t care how much kool-aid you drink that Wisconsin game said it all. This team just was not ready for all the high expectations from themselves, the media and the fans. With some maturity, and some solid coaching I still feel like we have the right pieces in place to improve next season. This is what I would like to say to each player: Harrow – we want you back. And we want you back stronger and more confident. The game is 90% mental and you just need… Read more »

wolfpack74
wolfpack74
8 years ago

Nice improvement.  Keep it up.

NC State Basketball

NC State is 1 of 11 Schools with Men’s & Women’s Teams in the NCAAT, & a Football Team in a Bowl Game

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NC State is 1 of 11 schools to have both their Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams earn spots in the NCAA Tournament, while also having a Division-I Football team that played a game in the postseason.

The Wolfpack Women’s Basketball team is a #3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and the Men are an #11 seed. The Football team lost to Kansas St. 19-28 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Here’s a look at the other the 11 schools who have pulled off the trifecta.

NC State
Tennessee
Texas
Texas A&M
Kansas
Alabama
Arizona
Auburn
Duke
Iowa St.
UNC

NC State is the only school in the nation, to have both their Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams play in their Conference’s Championship game.

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NC State Basketball

NC State’s DJ Burns Joins the 2,000 Point Club

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This past Saturday was a good night for NC State’s DJ Burns. He led NC State to their 1st ACC Championship since 1987. He earned the ACC Tournament MVP Award. He also joined the 2,000 point club.

With 11:52 left in the 2nd half, Burns fittingly made a hook shot that added up to his 1,999th point and his 2,000th point.

Burns joined DJ Horne, who joined the 2,000 point club earlier in the ACC Tournament in the Wolfpack’s victory over Duke.

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NC State Basketball

NC State is Right Outside of the AP Top-25 Heading into the NCAA Tournament

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The new Men’s College Basketball AP Poll is out, and NC State is right outside of the Top-25, sitting at 29th heading into the 1st round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The Wolfpack will be playing Texas Tech in the 1st round on Thursday night at 9:40, and the Red Raiders moved up 3 spots in this poll to #22.

ACC Teams in the AP Poll

5. UNC
13. Duke
29. NC State
39. Clemson

It is interesting that NC State is the 3rd highest ranked team in the AP Poll, but are the lowest seed of any ACC team in the NCAA Tournament.

With a good showing in the NCAA Tournament, the Wolfpack could find themselves in the Final AP Top-25 for the first time since 2003-04, when they finished 15th. NC State has been ranked in the Final AP Top-25 seventeen times.

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NC State Basketball

NC State Guard LJ Thomas Enters the Transfer Portal

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NC State is the first team currently in the NCAA Tournament to have a player enter the Transfer Portal. In a move that isn’t a shock, Sophomore LJ Thomas has entered the Portal. The move isn’t a shock, because he hasn’t been on the sideline with the team recently.

ESPN ranked Thomas as a 4-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, while Rivals, ON3 and 247Sports all gave him 3 stars. Originally from Florida, Thomas finished his High School career playing for Bull City Prep in Durham, right down the road.

Thomas managed to carve out a more significant role as a Freshman last season, than he was able to do this year.

Obviously, NC State will be active in the Transfer Portal once again, but here’s a look at which Guards are currently coming back next season.

Jayden Taylor (1 year of eligibility)

Kam Woods (1 year of eligibility)

Breon Pass (1 year of eligibility)

Dennis Parker Jr. (3 years of eligibility)

Michael O’Connell (1 year of eligibility)

(I’m not expecting MJ Rice to return either, but we will see.)

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