Wolferetti: Hellems is NC State’s key in his final trip to the Dean Dome

Jericole Hellems has been an important piece for Kevin Keatts.

Not just this year, I’m talking about over his entire career at NC State. Hellems was part of the class that changed the culture at NC State.

During the Gottfried years, you never knew if the team was going to show up. Were they going to come out and play hard, or was it going to be one of those games where they just went through the motions? It was infuriating.

Since Keatts arrival, that hasn’t ever been a problem. They come to play and they leave it all on the floor every night.

Hellems has been a big part of bringing in that culture since day one. Watch him play and you can see the intensity in his eyes. He plays physical, he backs down from no one and he sacrifices his body to win.

Hellems really has no business having the success he’s had. He’s 6’7 (with shoes on), he’s not all that quick, he doesn’t have an elite handle, and he’s been a good (not great) shooter over his career. Despite that, he’s had a really good college career. Last year he emerged as a top guy for the Pack, averaging 13 points and 5 rebounds. This year he’s at 14.5 points and 4.5 boards. His 3pt % and FT % are at career high levels.

He’s done this by work ethic and pure will. He’s a mentally tough player who is overmatched almost every night on paper, and more time than not, he comes out on top.

Hellmes has been good, not great on the road against UNC in his career. In his 3 prior trips, he’s averaging 8 points, 3.5 rebounds and shooting 44% from the field and 33% from 3pt range.

Today, Hellems will be playing his last game at the Dean Dome. Knowning him, he’s focused on making the most of that moment and having a big night. And honestly, NC State is going to need it.

Hellems has always had odd matchups when he’s faced UNC. The last two seasons the Heels have had 2 true back to the basket bigs in the middle (Bacot and Brooks). That has been a problem for Hellems, since both of those guys were great rebounders and liked to bring him down on the block. When he was on offense, he could get to the hoop, but both of those guys were great shot blockers, so he was forced to stay outside.

Today, Hellems is going to line up with Brady Manek, who is about the same size as Garrison Brooks, but a completely different player.

Manek isn’t a very good defender. In fact, you can argue that is the reason he left OSU to transfer to UNC. He was injured last year, and when he was out, OSU actually got better. They turned into a team that relied on defense.

The point is, Manek isn’t the defender that Brooks was. He’s big, but he’s lumbering. Offensively, he’s not very physical. He will post up, but he really likes to float to the outside (he’s a good shooter). However, this is the type of big that Hellems has success against. It’s the type of matchup that Hellems is built for. This is where he can give you the advantage.

Manek can’t guard Hellems on the perimeter. But his length can allow him to contest a shot from a few feet back. However, if Hellems can knock down some 3s early, Manek will be forced to press up, and this is where Hellems can really take advantage.

Looking at Manek’s season, he’s struggled against these 6’7 smaller, more athletic types. He had his worst game agaisnt Justin Miller, Miami’s 6’7, 195lb swing forward. He shot 2-8 (all 3s), finished with 7 points and only 2 rebounds. For comparison, Hellems is 6’7, 200lbs.

If NC State is going to win, they need to win this matchup. Hellems needs to be in ‘kill mode’ from the tip. He needs to frusterate Manek on both ends of the floor and get hot shooting the ball. He then needs that energy to spread through the team.

UNC matches up well with State. They have a guy who can matchup with Seabron, they have a guy who can matchup with Smith and Morsell. All of those matchups will be close to even. Inside, Bacot will likely outplay Dowuona, so the Hellems matchup is the one could go either way. These are two similar, but different players. If NC State is going to win, this is one matchup they need to go their way.