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AUDIO: Keatts talks to the media after win over Pitt

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Kevin Keatts talked to the media after NC State’s win over Pitt. Here is the full audio and if you don’t have time for that, below is  a quick-hitting recap of his statements.

Full Audio: 

 

Bulleted recap:

  • Proud of the young guys  Cam, Shak and Bates all had career highs in assists.
  • Got stops when we needed to.
  • Played some zone. Credit to the guys because that defense was only put in yesterday.
  • 2nd road win in a row and one we can build on.
  • Knew Pitt would be physical but told the guys to stay out of the chippiness. Did that most of the game until Hellems got his technical.
  • This was a toughness game. Who wanted it more?
  • Less switching on defense because of Pitt’s sizes and mismatches.
  • Wanted to have 12 or less TOs, but ended with 14. Had 19 assists though.
  • Best Hayes, Moore and Seabron have played together all year. Young guys have fought so much adversity. Stepped up big in this one.
  • Dereon Seabron had a death in his family and played with a heavy heart.
  • Locked in on defense at the end. Knew we needed a stop and got one.
  • Beverly is a savvy vet. He’s hurt. Doesn’t practice, just plays because of his injuries. May never practice for NC State again. But came in and got some shots up this morning. Knew it would be a good day for him.
  • Hellems has been solid. DJ carried us and was great on the offensive boards.
  • First time since Devon Daniels went out that we had 2 guards in double figures.
  • Young guards are going to be good players. They are just having to learn on the job. Answered a lot of question tonight.
  • Thomas Allen has a sprained ankle. Could miss more time, but not sure.
  • Team is showing signs of growth. Guys completely learning on the job and getting better. Staying tough on them. Not going to give them a pass because they’re freshmen.  Having to coach them as if they are upperclassmen. Trying to teach them and limit their mistakes.
  • Team took big step forward. Didn’t play perfect but proud of how they played.
  • Tough to win on the road and beat a good team. Happy to come out with a win.

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NC State Basketball

Bowling Green Transfer Guard Marcus Hill is on a Visit to NC State

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Bowling Green Transfer Guard Marcus Hill (6’4″/185) confirmed with me that he is currently on a visit at NC State.

Hill averaged 20.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Falcons this season. He earned 1st Team All-MAC honors. Even though he was only at Bowling Green one season, he had one of the best seasons in school history, scoring 698 points, which ranks 5th all-time in program history for a single season.

For his first two years of collegiate ball, Hill played for Southern Union State College (JUCO) in Alabama. In 2022-23, Hill earned 3rd Team NJCAA All-American honors, and ranked as the #32 overall Junior College prospect.

247Sports ranks Hill as a 4-Star Transfer Prospect, and the #78 overall player in the Transfer Portal, and the #11 Shooting Guard.

According to a source, the NC State Coaching Staff is extremely high on Hill, and they are recruiting him as a Point Guard.

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NC State Basketball

What did an ACC Title & Final Four Mean to NC State Legend Dennis Smith Jr.?

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What did an ACC Title & Final Four mean to NC State Legend Dennis Smith Jr.? The man who won the ACC Rookie of the Year Award in 2017 gave me a statement.

It means a lot. It means a lot to the university, the state of North Carolina and a lot more to my dad, grandma, and myself. They have been NC State fans since forever, so their excitement level was though the roof when they saw BOTH of our basketball teams shining like that. It was a great feeling!

2017 was Smith Jr.’s only year of College ball, averaging 18.1 points, 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals. He earned 2nd Team All-ACC honors, and obviously, he earned a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team.

DSJ was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the 9th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Smith Jr. just wrapped up his 7th season in the NBA. This was his 1st season with Brooklyn, playing in 56 games for the Nets. He averaged 6.6 points, 3.6 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, averaging 18.9 minutes per contest.

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NC State Basketball

NC State’s DJ Horne Named to Portsmouth Invitational All-Tournament Team

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NC State’s DJ Horne played in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament this weekend, and he was named to the All-Tournament Team.

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In 3 games, Horne averaged 14.3 points, shooting 41.5% from the field, and 30% from three.

Horne’s Portsmouth Partnership team made it to the finals, but lost to Jani-King 68-75.

The Portsmouth Invitational is an annual pre-draft camp that has been showcasing College Seniors to professional scouts since 1953.

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NC State Basketball

NC State Has Shown Interest in Utah Guard Transfer Deivon Smith

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NC State has reached out to Utah Transfer Guard Deivon Smith (6’0″/173).

Smith filled up the stat sheet every game this year, averaging 13.3 points, 7.1 assists and 6.3 rebounds, shooting 46.7% from the field and 40.8% from three for Utah. He earned All-Pac 12 Honorable Mention this season. Smith had 8 double-doubles and 1 triple-double this year.

Wherever Smith lands, this will be his 4th college. He started at Mississippi St., starting in 8 of the 33 games he played in, averaging 22.5 minutes per game. Smith went on to spend his next two seasons at Georgia Tech. Year 1 in Atlanta, Smith started in 5 of the 24 games he played in, averaging 19.7 minutes per game. In Year 2, he carved out more of a role, starting in 13 of the 24 games he played in for the Yellow Jackets, averaging a career high 24.8 minutes per game.

At Utah this year, Smith broke out and had a career year in every possible way.

NC State is familiar with Smith, offering him back when he was a 4-Star prospect out of Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia. Rivals ranked Smith as the #53 overall player nationally in the 2020 recruiting class. ESPN ranked him as the #5 player in the state of Georgia. 247Sports ranked him as the #11 Point Guard in his class.

 

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