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Keatts Presser after Presbyterian :: Bulleted

Published

6 years ago

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NC State head coach met with the media after their 86-68 come from behind win over Presbyterian. Here is a recap of what he said:

Opening statement…

  • Knew tonight was going to be tough because of playing 4 games in 7 days.
  • Knew when schedule was made this would be good. Getting through these first four would built tremendous confidence
  • Didn’t think guys did good job of matching up until they figured out Presbyterian’s press break
  • Played well on both ends in second half
  • Freem and Yurtseven were both good in the paint
  • Great press in second half, held them to 24 points.
  • May be only team in country that has played 4 games and excited guys made it through the test.

On team’s great 2nd half…

  • The way we played at the end of the game, most teams won’t have the legs we had. Working in our favor. Conditioning kicked in.
  • Made free throws down the stretch. Lennard stepped up and made some big ones.
  • Thought Batts came in and changed the game.
  • Thought the guys got better tonight because they passed the test of playing that many games in a short time period

On Presbyterian’s first half run…

  • Didn’t match up well and gambled too much
  • Did a lot of uncharacteristic things like lack of communication on defense
  • Happy how it played out. Gave team a chance to play from behind
  • Thought team responded well

On halftime message..

  • Told them to stay the course and believe in the system. We did.
  • Talked about being a great pressing team, you have to be able to make big comebacks
  • Though the press was effective once they got in it
  • Scored the ball tonight because of ball movement and great passing in the paint

On poor 3pt shooting..

  • Four games in seven days has something to do with it.
  • Playing that many games wears you down
  • Team will shoot it better

On Abu’s status and his impact…

  • Another guy who can score around the basket
  • Probably the team’s best rebounder
  • Can knock down the 18 footer
  • But no timetable for return. However, getting better every day.
  • May try to mix him in a little more and see, but he’s not ready right now

On Torin Dorn…

  • Happy with him because of how aggressive he’s playing
  • Great straight-line driver. Super athletic and does a great job running the floor.
  • Don’t like him falling in love with the 3 point shot.
  • Ok with him taking 3s but his game is living in the paint and getting to the rim
  • He’s been good

On prepping for Arizona…

  • Obviously going to take a few days off.
  • Haven’t really look ahead, but know we face a talented team on Wednesday.
  • Arizona is one of the top 5 teams in the nation.
  • Haven’t watched them yet. Don’t know what their scores are.
  • Going to get some rest and then start prepping.

On where Abu fits in the rotation…

  • He’s going to play. He’s a senior and he’s earned that right.
  • He’s a very good player.
  • Don’t know who he’ll take minutes from, but he will play

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NC State Basketball

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James is Currently Visiting NC State

Published

12 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

Published

16 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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21 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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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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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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