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NC State closes their regular season tonight at 8 o’clock at Clemson. Both teams have just four ACC wins on the season. The Tigers have lost a handful of close games as of late, including a one-point loss to VT and a two-point loss to FSU. NC State is looking to finish their regular season with a road victory. What are the keys to the game for the Wolfpack to win?

Control Jaron Blossomgame.

Blossomgame has been tough for opponents this season as he uses his athletic ability and size to get inside to score. NC State needs to seal off the paint when defending him as well as shade help-side defense his way. Outside shooting is a weakness for Blossomgame; he is connecting on 27% of his three-point attempts on the season. The best way to stop Jaron is to not press up too much on him on the perimeter. This way NC State can try and bait him into outside shots and have extra time to cut off his drives.

The Pack needs to win the rebounding battle.

The Tigers are among the worst rebounding teams in the ACC. The Wolfpack must take advantage of this flaw if they are going win tonight. Collectively NC State can damage Clemson if they can get second chance points and defensive rebounds to end possessions. Malik Abu could be in line for a big night if he can get some easy baskets off of offensive rebounds. Last season, Abu punished the Tigers with 17 points and 16 rebounds as NC State beat the Tigers 77-74 in Raleigh. Clemson will struggle to win if Abu can replicate that performance tonight.

Offensively NC State needs an inside-out attack.

The Pack has been at their best this season when they attack inside early. NC State needs to feed Malik Abu often to create space on the perimeter. Going inside will create high percentage looks for NC State shooters. Dennis Smith and Markell Johnson need to be aggressive attacking the paint as well as not holding the ball on the outside. An inside-out attack should put the Pack in a position to beat Clemson tonight.

The Pack has the tools to beat a tough Clemson team; however, it will come down to execution and energy to close the season with a win. NC State must be disciplined in their assignments to stop Jaron Blossomgame who is capable of carrying the Tigers. Malik Abu needs to be a focal point for NC State tonight as he can create problems for Clemson underneath as well as on the glass. Can NC State beat Clemson? Tune in at 8 o’clock to find out

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Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago

If you told me that we would have the leading scorer in the ACC and not make the NCAA tourney then follow that up with one of the highest rated recruits ever in Wolfpack history and miss the tourney again – I would have said you were crazy.

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Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago

I have no feeling about Archie one way or the other but I found it concerning that the last 2 coaches from Dayton (Brian Gregory & Oliver Purnell) both made moves to the ACC and both failed to win a single game in the NCAA tourney. I wonder if the leap from the A10 to the ACC will be too big for most coaches? Although in Archie’s defense he has done better than both while at Dayton.

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Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago

Is it just me or is Wes Moore from the women’s team looking more and more like a candidate?

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NC State Basketball

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James is Currently Visiting NC State

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9 hours ago

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April 19, 2024

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Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James (6’5″/200) is on a visit to NC State currently, according to a source.

Indiana State Transfer Ryan Conwell was on campus last week, but he just committed to Xavier.

From what I hear, the staff preferred James over Connell anyway. A plus with James is he has 2 years of eligibility, whereas Conwell has 1.

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.

Rivals ranked James as the #71 overall player in the 2021 recruiting class, and ESPN ranked him as the #7 prospect in the state of Florida.

After redshirting his first year in Louisville due to torn achilles, James has been a starter for the Cardinals the past two years. This year, he averaged 12.6 points and 5 rebounds.

For a more extensive look at James’ game, click here.

Rivals ranks James as the #77 overall player in the Transfer Portal.

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NC State Basketball

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James is a Priority for NC State

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12 hours ago

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April 19, 2024

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Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James (6’5″/200) is a priority for NC State, according to a source.

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.

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.

He does have the ability to knock down a three, making 34.8% for his career.

NC State already hosted Indiana State Transfer Guard Ryan Conwell last week, and while the Wolfpack coaches like both players, from what I’m hearing, James would be their preference.

NC State hasn’t had James in for a visit, but that could happen soon.

James has 2 years of eligibility remaining.

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NC State Basketball

NC State’s Casey Morsell is the 4th Player in NCAA History to Start 41 Games in a Season

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18 hours ago

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April 19, 2024

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NC State Guard Casey Morsell started 41 games for the Wolfpack this season, becoming the 4th player in NCAA history to do so.

 

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A post shared by NC State Basketball (@packmensbball)

Prior to this season, the record for most games started in a single season in NC State history was 37, with three Wolfpack players doing so: Lorenzo Brown, Richard Howell, CJ Williams.

Morsell now sits atop the list, and a fellow teammate, DJ Burns ranks second, with 40 games started this season.

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NC State Basketball

Georgetown Transfer Dontrez Styles Commits to NC State!

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1 day ago

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April 18, 2024

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Georgetown Forward Transfer Dontrez Styles (6’6″/212) has committed to NC State!

Styles was the 2nd leading scorer for Georgetown this season, averaging 12.8 points per game, while grabbing 5.8 boards. He shot 36.8% from three.

Originally, Sytles was a consensus 4-Star prospect in UNC’s 2021 recruiting class. 247Sports ranked him as the #62 overall player nationally, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina, playing for Kinston High School.

After two seasons with the Tar Heels, Styles entered the Portal, and took an Official Visit to NC State and Georgetown, and ultimately chose the Hoyas.

ON3 ranks Styles as the #104 overall player in the Portal.

With his final year of eligibility, Styles’ made the right choice this time.

NC State now has 2 scholarships remaining after Styles’ commitment.

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