NC State has had a rough season, to say the least. They have lost five in a row looking lost most of the time. The Pack must find a way to get over themselves as they host UNC this Wednesday night. What are the keys to the game for the Wolfpack to atone for their earlier encounter with the Tarheels?

The Pack must be physical with Carolina.

The Tarheels are among the best in the country at rebounding the basketball. They fight hard on both ends of the court to secure rebounds. Their ability to attack the offensive glass helps them secure extra possessions as well as easy baskets. The Wolfpack need a complete team effort to limit Carolina on the glass. That means being physical in boxing out with each player putting a body on their man each time the ball goes up. Malik Abu and Omer Yurtseven will need to make contact with UNC big men by moving them out of the way using their legs instead of their arms. The Pack will need to be tough if they are going to upset Carolina. They cannot back down if they do it will be another lopsided result.

Be the aggressors on offense.

Offensively NC State needs to handle Carolina’s pressure on the perimeter with poise and aggression. Dennis Smith, Terry Henderson, and Maverick Rowan cannot turn their back once they catch the ball. Instead, they need to be strong ripping the ball through and facing the basket so they can be a threat to shoot, dribble, or pass. Joel Berry took Dennis Smith out of the game last time these teams met by forcing him to initiate the offense too far out on the court. Smith needs to be aggressive attacking the paint taking the ball at Berry, not settling for quick jump shots. NC State will need to be patient staying within themselves moving the ball and turning down contested jump shots. In the first meeting, things snowballed for the Pack which led to quick irrational shots that put them further behind, that cannot happen again.

Don’t beat yourself.

NC State cannot give UNC any extra advantages by turning the ball over or not hustling. The first meeting NC State turned the ball over a whopping 26 times (yielding 39 points for UNC) and were out-rebounded 50-36 (22-second chance points). The Wolfpack must use ball fakes and move for one another to help each other when one gets in trouble. The Pack cannot give UNC extra possessions Wednesday if they are going to have any chance of winning. Carolina is too good in transition to be gift wrapped that many turnovers. NC State needs to secure defensive rebounds because UNC is too good at capitalizing on second chances. The Wolfpack will need to be near perfect to knock off UNC on Wednesday night.

Optimism is not a word that has been thrown around in regards to NC State basketball in recent weeks. In the midst of a five-game losing streak, the Pack has a chance to end that streak with a win over UNC. In a season of little triumphs, Wednesday offers an opportunity for NC State to have a bright spot. An opportunity for a fanbase to enjoy a little relief. Can NC State band together and beat their rivals this Wednesday? Game time is at 8 o’clock at the PNC Arena with coverage on The ACC Network.

NC State Basketball

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James Commits to NC State!

Published

2 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

18 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.