Connect with us

NC State Basketball

Position Preview: SFs will thrive in Keatts’ offense

Published

6 years ago

on

Position: Stretch Forward

Players: Torin Dorn, Shaun Kirk

Kevin Keatts described his offense in the exhibition game as having 4 guards, but for the sake of trying to break down the different roles that this team is going to have, we’re going to call the third guard spot, a stretch forward.

That being said, These guys are going to be more of your slasher/athlete types. You’ve seen both Dorn and Kirk play, but what can you expect from them in a Keatts offense?

Strengths
Both Dorn and Kirk are long, strong, athletic types who thrive in space. This offense is going to serve them well as it’s built around freeing up the paint and keeping the driving lanes open.

Obviously, Dorn is going to see more minutes since he’s the more polished of the two. Last year, before the NC State offense got stagnant and started clogging up the lane, he was putting up monster stats. Dorn’s ability to shoot it from the outside with some consistency needs to be proven, but his ability to take it to the hoop and his movement without the basketball are probably the best on the team at this point.

As long as the floor spacing is good, Torin Dorn will be a factor for NC State.

As for Kirk, he is going to see a little more floor time this season. With his length, his athleticism and his ability to be a big-time finisher on the break, Kirk should find himself a role in Keatts rotation.

A real strength at this position will be the ability to create mismatches. Most ACC teams play with two bigs. NC State will have one big and Stretch Forward who will cause problems for the less mobile 4s that other teams put out there. The good news for Keatts is that both Dorn and Kirk have the size and length to guard bigger opposing 4s.

Dorn and Kirk’s versatility is what is going to pay big dividends for the Wolfpack this season.

Weaknesses
Neither Dorn nor Kirk really have much of an outside shot. The idea of the stretch forward is that it ‘stretches’ the defense. If these guys show they are unwilling to shoot from the outside, or if they can’t knock down open shots, defenses are going to sag down, taking away their ability to attack off the dribble.

Depth may also end up being an issue. State has 4 guys (Johnson, Batts, Freeman and Hunt) who will be competing for 2 guard slots most of the time, and 3 bigs who will rotate in one or two slots. Dorn is really going to be leaned on to play major minutes since he’s got size, speed, and athleticism and they’ll need him to guard opposing 3s and 4s. He’s the only one who has that versatility. Kirk can do this as well, but Kirk still gets a little lost on defense and needs to earn Keatts trust.

Related Topics:

NC State Basketball

NC State Forward Katie Peneueta Enters the Transfer Portal

Published

3 hours ago

on

April 17, 2024

By

NC State Forward Katie Peneueta is entering the Transfer Portal.

Peneueta transferred to NC State last offseason from Sacramento State, where she averaged 8.4 points, shooting 45.5% from three.

In her one year at NC State, Peneueta only played 8 games for the Wolfpack, battling injuries throughout the year. Peneueta has 1 year of eligibility.

With Peneueta entering the Portal, NC State now has 3 scholarships available heading into the 2024-25 season.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

Boston Center Caitlin Weimar is on an Official Visit to NC State

Published

8 hours ago

on

April 17, 2024

By

Boston Transfer Center Caitlin Weimar (6’4″) is currently on an Official Visit to NC State.

Weimar is the reigning Patriot League Player of the Year, and has been named Defensive Player of the Year the past two years. She has earned 1st Team Patriot League Honors the past two seasons.

This year, Weimar averaged 18.7 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. As a Junior, she averaged 15.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. She shot 55.5% this year, and 59.7% last year.

With NC State not having River Baldwin at Center next year, adding Weimar is an extremely exciting possibility.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

What did an ACC Title & Final Four Mean to NC State Legend TJ Warren?

Published

11 hours ago

on

April 17, 2024

By

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.

_______

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.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

NC State Forward Ernest Ross Enters the Transfer Portal

Published

2 days ago

on

April 16, 2024

By

NC State Forward Ernest Ross announced today that he is entering the Transfer Portal.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eway♻️🏂 (@thebiggesteworld3)

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!

Continue Reading