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VIDEO: Kevin Keatts’ Presser After NC State Handled Wake Forest 94-74

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5 years ago

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NC State took care of business last night, defeating Wake Forest 94-74 at home. Wolfpack head coach Kevin Keatts talked with the media in his postgame press conference. The videos are below, and a bulleted breakdown is underneath.

  • It was a very good game for us overall. I’m very proud of our guys for that win.
    • In the locker room, we were talking about the nine guys that got in the game and all nine contributed to the win.
    • It was one of those games where we were able to get out in transition because we rebounded and shared the basketball.
    • We made shots.
    • We’ve played pretty well in the last three games where teams have zoned us.
    • It is better to have a week off with a win opposed to a loss. We have got to take a couple of days off, and then try to stay sharp for our next opponent in Florida State.
  • Markell Johnson was special tonight, especially in the 1st half.
    • When we were struggling to score, he rose up and made a bunch of shots. I thought he was really good.
    • He had a career-high for him in ACC play.
    • He was locked in.
    • The good side is that he is playing longer stretches.
    • He is probably still a little bit sore, but the tell-tale sign for me is that he can play a little bit longer. I kept in him in the first half because he was playing well, where I would normally try and get him a break somewhere in there. I think he is getting back.
    • Markell was special tonight and that was the difference in the game.
  • I thought Jerciole Hellems came in and did a tremendous job.
    • Obviously the same with him, a career-high 14 points in ACC play.
    • I thought he was aggressive, was good at running in transition, and played great defense.
    • He is a guy that will continue to get better.
    • I showed him all of his turnovers and told him if he keeps turning the ball over, he is not going to play.
    • Freshmen hit the wall and go through peaks and valleys. He is no different than anyone else, but I think he is back playing good basketball now.
  • Torin Dorn has been steady. He had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
  • I brought TJ Warren into the locker room and told these guys what a special night this was. We talked before the game about TJ getting his jersey lifted into the rafters.
    • I am proud of TJ. I obviously didn’t get to coach him, but I remember his days at Brewster, where he was a tremendous player.
    • When you look at TJ Warren, he wasn’t a top-10 player coming out of high school. He is a self-made guy.
    • When TJ comes back into town every time he gets a break, and I look out at the Dail Center, it’s TJ Warren. He loves to play.
    • You never hear about him having any problems off the court.
    • I told our guys “If you want to be like anybody, be like TJ Warren, because he is a special kid.”
    • I’m excited we could win on the night he is getting his jersey lifted.
  • I love our bench. They have worked hard in practice.
    • We are only dressing nine guys.
    • The message to our team is that we want them to play as hard as you can for as long as you can. Then if you get your hand up, we will get you a break.
  • I’m excited to see Blake play because he is finally getting healthy and is getting back in the rotation.
    • He can definitely help us, especially on the defensive end.

 

 

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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

Georgetown Transfer Dontrez Styles Commits to NC State!

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10 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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2 days 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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