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VIDEO: Kevin Keatts’ Press Conference After NC State’s 100-49 Rout of UNCA

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5 years ago

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NC State head coach Kevin Keatts spoke with the media in his press conference after the Wolfpack’s 100-49 victory over UNC-Asheville tonight. The video is ABOVE, and a bulleted breakdown is BELOW.

  • Thought we played extremely hard. Did we do everything right? Absolutely not. The mistakes we made, were because we were playing hard. I can live with those.
  • I’m happy with where my team is right now. I think everyone that is in the game is giving me maximum effort.
  • Thought we did a tremendous job getting out in transition.
  • We pressured. Thought we took them out of everything they did.
  • They are going to be a good team in their league. They have some really good young players.
  • Very disappointed DJ Funderburk finally missed a shot. I knew it was coming. I told him he let me down, because I told everyone that he was going to go the whole year without missing a shot, so I was a little disappointed when he took that baseline jumper.
  • Don’t have an update on Markell Johnson. He’ll be with the doctors tomorrow, and I’ll know more. I’ll tell you this…he was not diagnosed with a concussion. I don’t know what the end result will be.
  • Devon Daniels settled in. Anytime you have a guy that’s a transfer, they want to play so well, because they sat out a year. In the first couple of games he forced a lot of things. I thought he relaxed. He was more comfortable. Thought he played off of his teammates, and I’m happy for him.
  • Versatility. At times we had CJ Bryce playing the point guard position. Going to see all kinds of guys playing different positions.
  • Last game I liked our amount of deflections, but not the total amount of steals. Tonight we had 13.
  • Every time I looked down the bench, I saw players that were on the edge of their seat to get in the game. We’ve got plenty of guys that are eager to play. I don’t know that I’ve had a team where everyone is almost equal. I may not have a starting 5. It’s hard to not get Eric Lockett on the floor. DJ Funderburk on the floor. Jericole is playing really good basketball. Until we get Braxton settled in, he’s coming off the bench.
  • When you look around the country, players that start games play 30-35 minutes. When you look at us, I don’t know that we have anyone averaging over 26 minutes. That says a lot about our guys character. They are unselfish.
  • Thought our doctors and trainers did a great job getting Braxton Beverly back. I wasn’t surprised because CJ Bryce had a very similar surgery when we were at UNCW, and he was out for three weeks. Braxton gives us a different dimension. His ability to hit a three-point shot is just as effective as us getting out in transition and getting a dunk. He excites the crowd and gives energy to our team.
  • At halftime we had 36 deflections, and we try to get 40 in a game.
  • Ian Steere and I met on Monday. Had a great conversation. For me, it’s about what’s best for his future, and what he thinks is best. We talked about the pros and cons. Here’s the opportunity if you stay, because I think he would have been a good basketball player for us. Or if there’s another opportunity for you, I’ll be behind you and support you. We didn’t come to a decision at that time, or he didn’t. He told me he would call me later on that night. I was at my radio show, and he sent me a text and asked if we could talk, and I said absolutely. I called him on my break, and he told me he was going to look at another situation. I told him I appreciate you, and am thankful for everything you did, and thanks for even coming here for us. I wish him luck. At the end of the day, I think he was just looking for a fresh start.

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Matthew is Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, and is in charge of business strategy. He is an NC State alum who majored in business. Matthew is also the lead pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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NC State Basketball

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James is Currently Visiting NC State

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2 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

6 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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11 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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NC State Basketball

Georgetown Transfer Dontrez Styles Commits to NC State!

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22 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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