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Previewing NC State’s Opponent: Maryland Eastern Shore

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5 years ago

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We were asked the question recently on why we waste time previewing these early season games against teams like Maryland Easter Shore. The answer is simple and comes in two parts.

1) We want to provide the most in-depth NC State basketball coverage on the internet, and this is part of doing that.

and…

2) We want to help cater to the informed Wolfpack fan. For instance, if you are reading this article, you likely aren’t worried about Maryland Eastern Shore’s ability to beat the Wolfpack, but you might be interested in what this team has done this season, what style of play they’ll bring to the table and what positions their strongest players play. This information isn’t all that important for THIS game alone, but it is important to learn how this NC State team reacts to different styles of play or different types of players. It can help to be a future data point when predicting larger, more meaningful games.

So now that is out the way, let’s move onto the preview.

Haven’t heard much about Maryland Eastern Shore? Don’t feel bad, when a team goes  3-13 season in the MEAC Conference it tends to not do much for your brand. However, this is a new season for the Hawks and they have a few more pieces this year that they hope can help them turn things around.

Maryland Eastern Shore has three guys to really watch out for this season.

Tyler Jones (6’7, junior, F)
Jones was the leader of last years’ 3-13 squad. The then-sophomore led all scorers at 12 points per game and added 5 rebounds. Jones wants to be that versatile wing, but honestly, it seems when he gets too far away from the hoop he doesnt’ have the ability to make the defense respect him out there. Last season he shot 92 3s and only connected on 22 of those (24%).  This season, he’s back, but he may be taking a back seat to a couple underclassmen who actually had pretty decent games against Georgetown in their season-opening loss. Meanwhile, Jones only finished with 2 points in that one.

AJ Cheeseman (6’6, sophomore, F)
Cheeseman is a sophomore transfer from UNO. During his freshman season he actually only played 4 minutes per game and didn’t do very much. So why is he a guy we’re keying on in this matchup? Well, he did open up the season by dropping 19 points on Georgetown. Again, this is not a guy who is going to beat you from the outside, but he does have some ability to score it from 15 feet and in.

Brian Urrutia (6’1, junior, G)
Urrutia is playing his first season at UMES, but he’s no rookie. The junior guard is coming in from Cochise Junior College (one of the best JUCOs in the southwest) where he averaged 12 points and 8 assists per game. He’s not really known as a big-time scorer, but he did put up 13 in his D-1 debut against Georgetown. He’s a creator who gets in the lane and makes things happen. For the Wolfpack, keeping him in front is going to be the key to making sure he doesn’t create havoc.

Aside from these 3 guys, the Hawks really don’t have any true weapons, but don’t sleep on them. In their season-opener at Georgetown, UMES only lost by 15 and forced the Hoyas into 19 turnovers. This game will likely be played at a very fast pace and should play right into the Wolfpack’s wheelhouse.

 

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NC State Basketball

Georgetown Transfer Dontrez Styles Commits to NC State!

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9 hours 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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NC State Basketball

NC State Forward Katie Peneueta Enters the Transfer Portal

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1 day ago

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April 17, 2024

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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.

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NC State Basketball

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

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1 day ago

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April 17, 2024

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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.

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NC State Basketball

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

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2 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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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.

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