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NC State Blasts Mount Olive 113-73 in Exhibition Game

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4 years ago

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NC State blasted Mount Olive by 40 points yesterday, defeating the Trojans 113-73 in the Wolfpack’s one exhibition game before the season opener next Tuesday (November 5th), at home against Georgia Tech.

The Wolfpack had 3 players score 20+ points. Senior Point Guard Markell Johnson did whatever he wanted, finishing with 26 points (6-12 FG), 9 assists and 6 steals. Redshirt Senior Guard C.J. Bryce showed his versatility, splashing the box score for 20 points (8-13 FG), 10 rebounds (team lead), 6 assists and 4 steals. Redshirt Junior Guard Devon Daniels also chipped in 20 points (6-7 FG), with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.

New addition Graduate Forward Pat Andree nearly joined the 20-point club, scoring 17 points, hitting 3 three-pointers, tying Johnson for the team high.

With Redshirt Junior D.J. Funderburk still suspended indefinitely, Redshirt Freshman Manny Bates saw significant playing time in his first collegiate game, and showed the difference maker he can be on the defensive end. Coming out of high school, Bates was one of the best shot blockers in the nation, and he blocked 6 shots yesterday (box score was wrong), and also scored 10 points on 5 of 6 shooting.

As a team, the Wolfpack played disruptive defense, forcing 24 turnovers. They also shot the ball extremely well at all three levels, shooting 52.7% from the field, 41.7% from beyond the arch, and 83.3% from the free throw line.

Johnson, Bryce and Daniels accounted for 13 of NC State’s 15 steals. It’s encouraging to see your veteran guards leading the way in takeaways in an exhibition game.

Yesterday’s starting lineup probably won’t be what you see all year long.

G Markell Johnson
G C.J. Bryce
G Devon Daniels
F Jericole Hellems
F Manny Bates

Redshirt Junior D.J. Funderburk will likely start in the place of Bates when he returns from suspension. Redshirt Junior Guard Braxton Beverly has been a starter for the past two years, starting 55 of 66 games. He played limited minutes yesterday, coming into the game with a knee bruise. Hellems didn’t start a single game last season, and I don’t expect him to be a regular starter this season. Even though he started, Hellems only played 9 minutes after dinging up his shoulder in the game (should be fine).

Freshman Guard Dereon Seabron didn’t play yesterday, sitting on the bench yesterday in street clothes. Head Coach Kevin Keatts said after the game that Seabron turned his ankle in practice the other day. The x-rays were negative, and Keatts said he should be fine, but doesn’t know when he will return yet.

NC State will host Georgia Tech next Tuesday to open the season on ACC Network at 8:30pm.

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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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4 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

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7 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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13 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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24 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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