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.
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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.
NC State Forward Ernest Ross announced today that he is entering the Transfer Portal.
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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.
Ross has one more year of eligibility remaining.
NC State has 3 scholarships available now.
Best of luck Ernest!
Too many new guys trying to form a team using a Coach that can’t coach during the game. No defense, no rebounding, not tough. Take that seven footer to Harlem and get his a$$ beat several times and make him tough. Playing like a p___y at seven foot is ridiculous. During the part of the game I watch, Smith acts like he is God’s gift to NCSU basketball. Set the rotation, and stick with it.
Once again Mav should be 7-8th off the bench.
This is why I’ve been saying “wait until the Miami game”. There was no way to get a good measure of this Wolfpack squad against inferior teams. Miami showed that this team needs a lot of improvement. People blamed not having this guy or that guy early in the season and I saw poor perimeter and transition D, poor shot selection, bad habits, and lack of toughness. Lots of work to do.
About what I expected. Out-coached, out-hustled, out-played. Turnovers and rebounding alone made it tough to stay in this game. This team developed bad habits while playing bad teams and it bit them on the ass against a well coached team. Coach Larranaga is probably one of the most underrated coaches in the country.
Coaching is not just about plays you have to get your guys. Kapita should have been in the game a long time go not when its 4 minutes and we are down by double digits. Smith, Doren, Mav (shouldve been Henderson), Y7, and kapita was when we did the best. I must say Abu played pretty good.
Yeah surprisingly Abu has shown up the last few games. It’s like a lightbulb went off in his head and he realized that he was 6’8″ and had a 40″+ vertical. He’s been going at the rim and not settling for a bunch of jumpers.
Kapita’s toughness was definitely missed.
Coaching is not just about plays you have to get your guys energized and ready to play from the tip. Miami made us look soft. That is what the first line was suppose to say. Blame it on the early start to the new year. lol #getemrightgott
Mav Rowan doesn’t need to come in so early 1 or 2 3s doesn’t make up for the lack of defense and turnovers.
And some of those cringe worthy shots off the dribble. I’d prefer he take it all the way to the hoop and at least try to get a foul.
Gott Gott to go!! he doesn’t know how to use what he Gott (has), coach defense or make players better. Point blank. he has had good players to get to where he is but that get exposed. Just like I said in the beginning of the season we dont come out with energy and team jump on us and have control. #Gott-Gott-todobetter-buthecant. Do you see the word play on Gott?
I agree. But then I have been called a Troll for not drinking the Kool-Aid. Fire Gottfried.
NIT here we come.
Blue bloods both go down today. Wolfpack better come ready or it will be an ugly game. Miami is not Ryder or Fairfield. Hope these kids are ready for a battle.
Ugly is my conclusion. Not ready for prime time. Loss by blue bloods just makes it tougher for Pack.
We blew a big opportunity to get a head start on our neighbors.