Connect with us

NC State Basketball

NC State takes on Nebraska tonight in ACC – Big Ten Challenge | Game Preview and How to Watch

Published

2 years ago

on

NC State Wolfpack vs Nebraska
ACC – Big Ten Challange
Time: 7:15pm
Location: Raleigh, NC
TV: ESPNU
Line: NC State -6

Preview of The Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska comes in at 5-2 on the season with losses to Western Illinois and Creighton. They haven’t beaten anyone of any significance to this point and are ranked 100th overall by Ken Pom (NC state ranks 60th).

The Huskers are led by 6’7 freshman guard, Bryce McGowans. He’s leading them in points (17.7) and rebounds (6.9). He also is averaging 2 assists per game and shooting 47% from the field (but only 28% from 3). He’s been having a lot of success early in the season, but a lot of that comes from the fact that he’s faced big-time mismatches against smaller teams. Against NC State he’ll likely be up against another 6’7 guard in Dereon Seabron, which will certainly make things tougher for him. You can get a feel for his game with this video from earlier in the season…

McGowans is streaky from deep, but also is known to take some bad shots. He’s shooting, as we said, 28% from downtown. Most of his damage is done on the drive, where honestly, he’s really good. He has great body control and can change direction well for his size. He uses his spin move a lot, and is deceptive with his footwork. He really is a lot like Dereon Seabron, so it’ll be interesting to see how that matchup plays out.

After McGowans, the Huskers have 6’1 senior guard Alonzo Verge Jr, who is a decent scorer himself but also doesn’t shoot well from outside. He’s averaging 13 points, 5 boards and 6 assists per game.

Then there’s their big, 6’9, 235lb junior, Derrick Walker. He’s a decent big, who is kind of a tweener. He’s not a power big, and he’s not versatile enough to spread the floor, but he gets the job done for them. He’s averaging 10 points and 5 boards per game and shooting over 80% from the floor (he doesn’t shoot much). He’s also not a great shot blocker.

Overall, NC State matches up really well with Nebraska. The Huskers don’t shoot the 3 well and they don’t have a dominant big. Those are the 2 things NC State struggles with. The Pack should be able to clamp down and sink a little to make things tough on Verge Jr and McGowans and to limit space for Walker. This may open up some 3 point shots, but Nebraksa shoots it at a 28% clip, so that might not be such a bad thing.

Keys for the Wolfpack

  • Lockdown McGowans. If he isn’t scoring, the Huskers don’t have many backup options.
  • Give help down low on Walker. Don’t let Nebraska spread it out and attack Dowuona.
  • Hellems needs to stay hot. When Hellems is on, NC State can put up points fast.
  • Allow Seabron to attack McGowans. Putting pressure on the freshman is key. He hasn’t faced a guard as versatile and big as Seabron.

Related Topics:
Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

NC State Basketball

NC State Forward Katie Peneueta Enters the Transfer Portal

Published

16 hours ago

on

April 17, 2024

By

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.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

Boston Center Caitlin Weimar is on an Official Visit to NC State

Published

22 hours ago

on

April 17, 2024

By

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.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

What did an ACC Title & Final Four Mean to NC State Legend TJ Warren?

Published

1 day ago

on

April 17, 2024

By

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.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

NC State Forward Ernest Ross Enters the Transfer Portal

Published

2 days ago

on

April 16, 2024

By

NC State Forward Ernest Ross announced today that he is entering the Transfer Portal.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eway♻️🏂 (@thebiggesteworld3)

Ross played in 14 games this year, averaging 3.4 minutes per contest. After playing in 34 games last season, averaging 11.4 minutes per contest, Ross saw his participation dip to a career low this season, but that didn’t for a second break his infectious personality. On the sideline, you could count on Ross every single game to be the heart and soul of the Wolfpack on the bench. To watch a player who played as little as he did, care as much as he did, makes me super proud that this young man represented NC State so well.

Ross was a consensus 4-star player in the 2021 recruiting class, with 247Sports ranking him as the #60 overall player nationally. ESPN ranked him as the #5 overall player in the state of Florida.

Ross has one more year of eligibility remaining.

NC State has 3 scholarships available now.

Best of luck Ernest!

Continue Reading