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5 Takeaways from NC State’s 74-68 loss to OK State

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2 years ago

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NC State looked dominant early, but fell apart at the end of the first half and never recovered. Falling to OK State 74-68. Here are our takeaways.

1. Man to man half-court defense was amazing
Say what you want about this team, but when they want to defend, they can really fluster an opponent.  Coming out of the gates, and honestly, for the majority of the first half, NC State was smothering OK State who barely got any open looks from the outside and when they did, were completely challenged. Cam Hayes, Casey Morsell, and Dereon Seabron did an amazing job keeping their men out of the lane. They held OK State to 39% shooting, 25% from 3pt land. Overall, this is a good sign moving forward for this young team. State wins this game handily with Manny Bates on the floor.

2. Keatts stuck with the full-court zone press too long
The full-court press sped up OK State and ended up getting the Pack back in the game, but there were way too many easy buckets and ally oops being scored when the Cowboys were able to break it. Without Bates, Dowuona and Gibson are sitting ducks under the basket if you can’t slow them up. Hindsight is 20/20 but even in the moment there were numerous times that we felt Keatts should have just man pressed to speed up-tempo and relied on his halfcourt defense which had been great for a majority of the game.

Now, to his credit, he probably was trying to figure out ways to play the game without giving the Cowboys a chance to dump it down and score on the blocks (which they were doing pretty easily). But the gamble ended with too many uncontested layups. Not sure the other way wins you the game, but there’s nothing easier in basketball than an uncontested dunk.

3. NC State didn’t get what they needed from Terquavion Smith
As we stated in our preseason previews, Smith is a freshman (a very talented one), so there is going to be ups and downs. This was one of the downs. State needed his scoring ability off the bench, but he just couldn’t connect. This was his first game against a Power 5 opponent and playing against more physical guards, so I guess you should have expected it. However, if this team is going to be a factor, they need Smith to be able to put up at least 8 points or more per game. We felt as if Keatts should have worked to get him more minutes in the second half, but he was off and Keatts opted to go with the guys who had experience.

4. Another year with no point guard
I know they list Cam Hayes as a point guard, I know he’s done a good job at limiting turnovers, and I know he’s just a sophomore, but Keatts needs a playmaker up top. Someone who can probe the defense and find open guys. Hayes just isn’t doing that. He continues to struggle when forced to change direction in traffic, and his body control on the drive just isn’t there. When he’s making plays its mostly off the ball or on kick-outs. Keatts needs to find an answer here. Maybe it’s Seabron at the point, or maybe its Breon Pass getting acclimated to the college game, but either way, they are going to consistently struggle to get clean looks if they don’t have someone who can get into the lane and create.

5. Couldn’t stop the OK State bigs
With Bates out, everyone knew this would be a problem. Actually, Dowuona held his own in the first half, but once the Cowboys figured out that they needed to clear the lane and attack one on one in the post, NC State fell apart. Dowuona needs more time, Gibson is a capable backup, but he’s stuck to the ground and slow to adjust in the post. Ernest Ross shows flashes but he too is just a freshman and isn’t going to stop a veteran big. This is NC State’s weak point and it will be all season. Keatts needs to figure out a way to hide this flaw. The answer is going zone, but Keatts entire system is based on ball pressure and pushing tempo. They’re kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place here, and it’s certainly going to be the thing that holds this team back from accomplishing what it would have been able to if Bates was on the floor.

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travelwolf
travelwolf
2 years ago

1 Takeaway from NC State’s first 2 games… We SUCK. It’s going to be a frustrating losing year. By the end of the year, maybe we will have a decent team, but it’s going to take a lot of mistakes (i.e. losing) to mold this team into what Keatts wants it to be. He’s got the talent, but it’s too young and inexperienced. Also, WTF is up with not being able to recruit bigs. This is what happens. When your team is dependent on one player for a position, NC State Shit will happen and that player will be gone.… Read more »

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Papajohn
Papajohn
2 years ago

What in the world has happened to Cam? Last season he average 4 apg and 4.5 rebounds. This season 2 apg and 1.8 reb. (but his scoring is up) I thought all that bulking up would result in better rebounding, and I thought his assists would improve with his experience. I have noticed he’s struggling with cramps every game. We’re already asking Dereon to lead us in scoring and rebounding, I’d hate to ask him to play point too. But Pass is too inexperienced. Maybe Allen? He hasn’t earned his keep much yet. We’ve got a long road before we’re… Read more »

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Rev
Rev
2 years ago
Reply to  Papajohn

Cam, the dreaded sophomore slump.

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NC State Basketball

Georgetown Transfer Dontrez Styles Commits to NC State!

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8 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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