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A 67-55 overtime win over Tennessee State doesn’t look impressive at all on paper. In fact, it might make fans worry that this team just isn’t ready for prime time. However, sometimes the box score doesn’t tell the whole story. Let’s take a look at why we feel the ugly OT win was actually a positive step forward for NC State.

Dennis Smith Jr showed signs of emerging
Smith’s 7-19 shooting might not set the world on fire, or even cause you to think that Smith played particularly well, but his 19 points weren’t the impressive part. What the box score doesn’t show is the way Smith rose to the occasion when his team  needed him most. As the game started to wind down, Smith started to get going. We’ve waited all year to see this player. The guy who takes control of a game. The guy who creates plays and puts the team on his shoulders.

We talked last week about Smith playing a little conservative. We questioned whether he was not trusting his knee or if he was still unsure of the role this team needed him to play. On Saturday night, he finally started to show signs of figuring things out. Smith started to control the basketball game. He kept the ball in his hands a little more and forced the issue more than we’ve seen so far this season. He did miss a few, and get blocked a few times trying to make things happen, but it was the fact that he was playing more aggressive that had us excited. He then hit a big shot near the end of regulation as he faded away, seemingly behind the basket, for a baseline jumper to tie the game. In overtime, he continued to attack. His and-1 layup had the crowd on it’s feet, and as Smith walked over tot he crowd, flexing his muscles, you could see a freshman growing up. He finally go to feel it. He finally saw Wolfpack Nation embrace him as their leader. He capped off the game with a massive windmill dunk that sealed the deal.

Stat line aside, this game was huge for the confidence of Dennis Smith Jr. You could feel a proverbial barrier being broken down and Smith coming into his own. If the Wolfpack is going to be successful, it’s going to be on the back of their freshman guard,  and on Saturday night, it started to become clear to him that this is his load to carry.

Beejay Anya played up to his potential To be honest, it was starting to get to the point where it might be time to write off Anya. The senior big man had been averaging under 10 minutes a game over his page 4 games. He was providing very little on offense. Defensively, he had gone from a feared shot blocker to cheap foul machine who baled out his men with petty reaches and lazy footwork. Maybe it was Gottfried getting through to him? Maybe it was the fact that this was possibly his last chance to prove his worth with Omer Yurtseven coming back next game? Whatever it was, it worked. Anya played with passion, he played with grit, and most importantly he played smart. Anya finally was back to manning the middle by simply keeping his hands up. He used his massive wingspan to alter shots, block shots, and grab rebounds.

On offense, Anya did what NC State needed of him. Tennessee State decided to take their chances with the Wolfpack bigs by pressing up on the guards and not helping down on the blocks. This ended up coming back to bite them as Beejay hung a season high 12 points. He also connected on 6-11 FTs, which isn’t great, but is a step up for the big man who has struggled from the line his entire career.

With Yurtseven back against App State, Anya needed to prove that he was a viable option on the blocks. He did that and more, nearing a triple-double with 12 points, 14 boards and 7 blocks. This only adds to the trusted depth that Gottfried can dip into as the rigors of the ACC season approaches.

Defense finally showed up
If you look on the message boards or on twitter you’ll see a lot of people continuing to criticize NC State’s defensive effort. But while it wasn’t perfect, it was definitely improved. The guards did a much better job of keeping their men in front of them. There was less reaching and more position defense. This led to less steals, but it also made it tougher for Tenn. State to get easy looks or break down the defense by demanding help.

The biggest difference however, was the interior defense. Anya’s smarter play was a big reason that the Tigers shot a dismal 32%. They were forced to shoot over Anya and he was able to alter shot after shot without fouling. This forced them to look elsewhere, and had them taking shots from the perimeter that were often contested.

Overall, the NC State defense took a step forward against Tenn. St, and while it still is a work in progress, you have to be realize that this is a very young squad and team defense is almost always the last piece of the puzzle to come together.

They found a way to win
Say what you want, but the fact that this team fought the way they did to squeak out the win is impressive. Sure, the Wolfpack was the more talented team, but they are also a group that has not been in many do or die, late game situations. Finding a way to win is something that is usually learned. Luckily, for NC State they have some natural born competitors. Guys that are wired to win. Dennis Smith Jr’s late game demeanor was very telling. This is a guy who is not used to losing and he’s willing fight to keep it that way. His body language and intensity was contagious and you could see the whole team feeding of his (and at times Beejay Anya’s energy). Tennessee State is no power house, but they were making play after play down the stretch in regulation. There were many times that NC State could have folded, but they never did. That is good to see from a young group and something that will only continue to get better as the season goes forward.

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While we believe this game was a net positive for NC State, it was far from a complete success.

• Rebounding still a concern: Rebounding continues to be a struggle for this team. Abu’s 3 boards in 20 minutes is inexcusable and if you run out a 3 guard lineup you better have both of your bigs putting up big numbers on the boards. Dorn added 8 of his own and Henderson had 5, but that isn’t going to make up for the 5 total you got out of your PF spot (Abu and Kapita). Now, maybe Yurtseven will fix this problem, but Gottfried needs to keep a eye on this situation. If you can’t rebound in the ACC, then you can’t win. If that means giving up your athleticism and running out a more traditional bigger lineup, then that’s what might have to happen. However, doing that would take away from the elite athleticism and the electric potential that this roster possesses. The answer here really needs to be getting big time rebounding numbers out of both your C and you PF. Until that happens, this team will not reach it’s final form.

• Shooting numbers were bad…very bad: 35% from the floor against Tennessee State just isn’t going to cut it. This team needs to be knocking down shots at a better clip than that. Getting Rowan back in shape will certainly help that, and Terry Henderson was 5-10, however the rest of the team needs to pick up the slack. You could argue that this game was played at Reynolds Coliseum, and that the team is not used to that gym, but really that’s not a good enough excuse. What really was going on was that the team was not running any sort of real offense for most of the game. Poor screen setting and guys (at times) going through the motions off-the-ball are the culprits. This means less open shots, more contested jumpers, and a shooting percentage in the mid to lower 30’s.

With the athleticism that this team possesses, you should be seeing easy buckets on the regular. You should be seeing guys driving, drawing and dishing. You should see screen and roles where the defender is literally picking their poison. Adding in Yurtseven with the high screen and roll is a major factor. This will give State a guy who can pick and pop, or pick and roll, and that makes it nearly unguardable if Smith is your ball handler. No matter the case, NC State needs to be getting better looks. They need to be taking smarter shots. And they need to go through their sets before they start playing isolation ball and hoping their athleticism will bail them out. They will have to learn this quick, as ACC play is a game of maximizing your points per possessions.


Overall,  if you are looking at this team for what they really are and what they really could be in the grand scheme of things, then you have to believe that this was movement in the right direction. For those who thought that this group of freshmen, transfers and new faces, were going to come in and just start playing like a veteran group, then you likely haven’t watched much college basketball (or at least paid attention to how team’s grow and progress.)

This is a group that is learning as they go, and unlike many teams in this league, this is one that is void of any true on-court veteran leadership. They not only had to figure out how to play together, but they had an entire leadership paradigm to figure out, and that is not something you can sketch out on a whiteboard or talk through in the locker room. These are the things that need to play out on the floor, in battle. There are small moments where confidence is built, and if you aren’t paying close enough attention, you will miss them. So if you are hoping to see a finished product on the floor anytime soon, then you’re kidding yourself. Wait, watch and be excited for the moments where progress is made. Against Tennessee State, there were a few of those moments, and once that ball gets rolling, it gets rolling fast. Over the next two or three games, be ready to see a team that looks a little different, and a group that is game by game, a little more sure of who they are and what they are capable of.

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Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago

This offense is truly missing that skilled front court player. I can tell that Dennis has lost confidence in the front court. Maybe that’s why he forces so many shots. I think if Yurt7 can be half the player I think he will be the offense will look much different from the first 9 games.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago

What will be interesting to see is the difference Yurt7 will make. I have high hopes for him in the paint. As it stands there is no one on the inside that can read a double team and find the open man. If Yurt7 can post up, read the D and find the open man the offense will go from one-dimensional to well balanced and that will lead to wide open shots for the guards and wings.

yakima2k
yakima2k
7 years ago

Smith, Henderson and Anya won the game. Tenn St. punched us in the mouth and those three kept fighting until there was a win. Abu and Kapita wilted. It’s unbelievable to me that folks want to focus on Dennis Smith who needs the minutes and experience and is playing at a very high level considering it’s not even December 15 of his freshman year, and yet Abu gets shoulder shrugs.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago
Reply to  yakima2k

Don’t misunderstand what is being said here. Abu disappeared during that game and many games this season. Anya was the player of the game in my opinion and I had all but given up on that kid. But as a floor leader Dennis will have to do better than he did. You have to think about how often the ball is in his hands. The team relies heavily on his decision making and it has been lacking.

yakima2k
yakima2k
7 years ago
Reply to  Wolfer96

I’d like to see Smith improve his assist to turnover ratio and maybe pass on those 25 foot three point shots. But to say he needs to be benched for taking a bad shot or trying to force a play occasionally is not sane. He’s been a D1 player for 6 weeks and he’s being judged on a play by play, game by game basis. We’re so hard on our 18 year olds when we need to be patient and supportive.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago
Reply to  yakima2k

It’s not about being hard on an 18 year old. It’s about coaching an 18 year old. It’s about setting the expectations early on how to play the right way. If you allow an 18 year old to develop bad habits right off the bat it will not serve the team or that player well down the stretch. Benching is one of the few tools that a coach has to send a message. It’s not this evil thing that you envision.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago
Reply to  yakima2k

I think everyone that has seen the games knows that Dennis can play so much better but that does not mean that he gets a pass when he takes bad shot after bad shot. We should all be expecting better from him and his teammates now that they have played 9 games +2 exhibition games. Certainly there should be improvement.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago

I just hope that Gott doesn’t reduce the rotation down to 8 and ruin this deep bench we have. Last thing this team needs is more transfers.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago

When Yurt7 comes on board this team will be at full power. This is the time to start pressing full court. Rotate guys in and out to keep them fresh and really make the other team work. We now have 3 centers, 2 PFs, and 6 guards/wings. That is 11 guys in the rotation. Now the team can afford to play aggressive and not worry about fouls.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago

Here’s what I would like to see Dennis do. Turn off the phone, turn off the computer, tablet, anything with an internet connection. Forget that there are scouts at most of the games. Block out any people in his ear. Just focus on defense, dribble penetration, and getting his teammates involved. Every game guys are going to talk shit and call him overrated. He’s got to use that as motivation.

wolfpack74
wolfpack74
7 years ago

What are you talking about, Lou? Had he not had such a bad game, we would have been much further ahead at the end. You can drink the Kool-Aid, but I’m not buying it. He had two plays at the end of the regulation game where he did not come through. I don’t necessarily blame him for that. I blame the coach that was forcing it on him.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago
Reply to  wolfpack74

Yeah I have to agree Dennis played a bad game. He was forcing shots and not being smart. I think he let all the early trash talking get in his head. He finally got fed up with it and did that FU dunk at the end but he almost cost us that game.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago

That’s the reason I give him a little more leeway. I know the kid hasn’t played in a year or so. As mentioned above you really have to blame the coaching which gives the green light to a freshman playing bad basketball for stretches in a game. What Dennis needs right now is a coach that will sit him down for a few when he is not playing as he should.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago

What it comes down to is coaching style. My preference is a coach that pulls a kid and has his assistants talk with him about how they want him to play and if he still doesn’t play as he should they sit him for long stretches. Gott’s never been one to send a strong message. He wants to let the kids learn through playing. There is a difference between making mistakes and not playing as one should

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago
Reply to  Wolfer96

I understand that a freshman will make mistakes but you can’t allow a player to take bad shots repeatedly. Dennis often shoots out of rhythm. I would like to see him shoot more shots off a pass when he’s open. That will happen more as the ball is moved around and the offense is more balanced inside/out.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago

I agree that Dennis is better than what we have seen. But you have to understand that he is under a lot of pressure to show his stuff each game to the NBA scouts and people in his ear telling him he should be shooting more, etc. But that’s only cool if he is making those shots and isn’t getting his shot spiked at the rim. So he needs to be smarter about when to shoot and when to take it hard.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago

He’ll have to learn that this is college and that even the Tennessee State’s of the world have guys that can defend the rim against even elite players. So Dennis needs to rely more on his smarts and less on his physical talents. You can get away with a lot in H.S. that you can’t get away with in college. Hopefully Dennis figures it out sooner than later.

NC State Baseball

NC State is Back in the Top-25 After Three Top-25 Wins Last Week

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After 3 Top-25 wins last week (1 over Coastal Carolina & 2 over Duke), NC State’s Baseball team is back in the Top-25 in 4 of the 5 polls. Last week was the only week that the Wolfpack hasn’t been ranked all season, after losing 1 game to UNCG, and losing all 3 at Georgia Tech.

USAToday Coaches Poll – #22

D1Baseball – #22

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Baseball America – #25

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NCBWA – #25

 

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NC State Baseball

NC State Loses Series Finale 2-13, but Wins Series vs. #9 Duke

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NC State lost the series finale 2-13 yesterday, but won the series against #9 Duke.

Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makarewicz was the sole source of offense, knocking in both runs on two solo Home Runs. A-Mak now has 10 Home Runs on the year. Makarewicw’s batting average is .359, and his OPS is 1.226.

Sophomore Dominic Fritton’s struggles continue, giving up 5 runs (4 earned) in 4 innings, striking out 5. His ERA on the season is 8.37, with a 1-2 record.

Fritton isn’t the only pitcher that struggled.

Senior Hollis Fanning gave up 5 runs in 2.1 innings in relief. His ERA in the year is 7.30.

Junior Carson Kelly gave up three runs in 0.2 innings pitched. His ERA is 27.00 in 2 appearances.

Despite losing in this way in the finale, NC State had a heck of a week, beating #13 Coastal Carolina in a midweek game, and taking 2 of 3 against #9 Duke.

The Wolfpack will look to get revenge tomorrow night at 6pm against UNCG. Two weeks ago, they lost to the Spartans 3-18 in a midweek game.

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NC State Baseball

NC State Secures Series Win Against #9 Duke With a 9-8 Walk-Off Victory Over #9 Duke

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After pulling off heroics in the 8th inning last night, NC State decided to make it even more exciting last night, shifting their heroics to the bottom of the 9th.

With #9 Duke leading 8-3 in the Bottom of the 9th inning, the Wolfpack would need a miracle, and sometimes you get exactly what you need.

Sometimes a miracle starts with a little bit of luck. With 1 out, Sophomore Josh Hogue grounded into a fielders choice, where as a result of an error, he ended up at 2nd, Senior Noah Outfielder Soles ended up at 3rd and Junior Shortstop Brandon Butterworth ended running across home plate.

Senior 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington would then hit a 3-run Home Run, cutting Duke’s lead to 2.

With 2 outs left, Sophomore Center Fielder Eli Serrano III hit a 2-run walk-off bomb, giving NC State a 9-8 series clinching win over #9 Duke.

Senior Starting Pitcher Logan Whitaker wasn’t great, but he wasn’t terrible either. He gave up 4 earned runs in 4 innings pitched.

Junior Win Scott pitched in relief for the first time since February 28th, giving up 2 earned runs in 1.2 innings pitched.

Freshman Heath Andrews was up next, pitching for the first time since March 10th, giving up 2 earned runs in 2.1 innings pitched.

Sophomore Derrick Smith picked up his first Win of the season, pitching a scoreless 8th inning.

Pennington, Serrano III and Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart all had 2 hits apiece.

Pennington had 2 Home Runs and 4 RBI’s, giving him 5 on the year.

Serranno III and Soles each had 2 RBI’s apiece, both coming off of Home Runs.

After falling out of the Top-25 on Monday, NC State has won 3 straight games against Top-15 opponents, and they will look to make that 4 straight tomorrow as the Wolfpack and Blue Devils close out the series at 1pm.

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NC State Baseball

NC State Wins Series Opener Against #9 Duke Behind a Solid Highfill Performance

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NC State is rebounding in a major way this week. After losing all 4 games last week (Midweek vs. UNCG & swept at GT), the Wolfpack defeated #13 Coastal Carolina in a midweek game, and defeated #9 Duke 4-3 in the series opener tonight at home.

The Wolfpack were carried by a solid outing by starter Sam Highfill, who gave up 3 runs over 7 innings, while striking out 8. Highfill is now 2-1 with a 4.70 ERA.

Freshman Jacob Dudan continues to impress, picking up the Save, throwing 2 scoreless innings. Dudan now has 3 Saves on the year, and is rocking a 2.70 ERA.

With the game tied 3-3, Junior Catcher Jacob Cozart hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 7th, knocking in Senior 3rd Baseman Alec Makarewicz.

The other 3 RBI’s weren’t exciting in nature, with Sophomore Left Fielder and Senior 1st Baseman Garrett Pennington bringing in Runs on groundouts, and Freshman 2nd Baseman ushering in a Run with a Walk with the bases loaded.

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