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How is NC State going to deal with Purdue’s 7’4 monster, Zach Edey?

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2 years ago

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Edey is a MONSTER. The sophomore is 7’4 and closing in on 300lbs and isn’t some ‘no-talent big with hands of stone.’ This kid is pretty physical and can finish around the basket. He’s currently averaging 15 points and 7 boards per game, all while shooting 74%.

So how is NC State going to guard this guy?

I mean, Dowuona is coming into his own and all, but he was getting pushed around pretty bad by Colgates Jeff Woodward, who is 6’11 and 270lbs. Woodward scored 14 points in that one. And then there was Kenny Lofton Jr, who at 6’7 and 275lbs looked like an all-star vs. State, dropping 36 (a season-high) points on Dowuona.

Ebe Dowuona is 6’11, but he’s only weighing in at 225lbs. He’s going to be giving up nearly 70lbs to Edey in this game. That’s almost an unprecedented difference between bigs, but we’re going to see how that plays out.

Keatts really has no one to throw out there to try to body Edey up, so the game plan is likely going to be, use your quickness to deny entry. That might work, but it will also allow them to go over the top (making it necessary that the Pack will have to have someone pinching down on helpside), which means if Edey can catch it and reverse the ball, the 3 will be wide open.

And let’s not forget that Zach Edey isn’t even Purdue’s only great big. They also have Trevion Williams, who is averaging 13 points and 9 boards per game. He’s more mobile and a more skilled player, but still checks in at 6’10, 255lbs ( a little more manageable for Dowuona).

This is really a pick your poison game for Keatts and NC State. They are going to be at a disadvantage somewhere. They can either pinch down and try to help in the paint, or they can let the bigs go one on one and clamp down on the shooters. Either way, State is going to have to score it like they haven’t scored it all year, all while, limiting Purdue in some way, shape or form.

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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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8 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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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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