Connect with us

NC State Basketball

NC State ready to face off against former center Manny Bates and Butler | Game Preview and How to Watch

Published

6 months ago

on

NC State Wolfpack vs. Butler Bulldogs
Time: 10:00 PM
Location: Bahamas (Battle 4 Atlantis)
TV: ESPN2

NC State takes on a 4-2 Butler team that is picked to finish in the middle of the Big East.

The storyline here is that Manny Bates, NC State’s former center, will be facing off against his old team. Bates left the NC State front court with a bare cupboard when he transferred. However, it has since been filled by two guys that NC State fans are really excited about in Mahorcic and Burns. Will Bates get the upper hand, or will the new look NC State frontcourt prove they’re better off without Bates?

Bates is averaging 12 points, 7 boards, and 3 blocks. That’s a tick-up from what Pack fans were seeing during Bates’s sophomore campaign and kind of what they expected last season before his shoulder injury. So no surprises here. Bates is an elite shot blocker who is decent in the post but will be motivated to prove he’s better off at Butler.

Meanwhile, he needs to do that without getting into foul trouble, as Butler is down a few bigs and will likely be suiting up just 8 scholarship players. Last night against BYU their starting 5 played almost the whole game.

While we are focused on Bates, Butler is really a guard-oriented team, playing 3 guys under 6’4 and with their 4 man coming in at 6’6. This team could cause fits for bigger, slower teams, but NC State is kind of built this way too. The Pack runs out 3 guards under 6’4 and their 4 man is 6’8 but plays more like a wing (Clark is quicker than Lukosious, their 4 man).

The main matchup to watch will be Jayden Taylor vs. Terquavion Smith or Casey Morsell. Taylor is averaging 16 ppg. Taylor has been their go to guy, able to score at the rim or from beyond the arc.

The one area of true concern with Butler is their ability to shoot it. Their 3 guards are all shooting over 40% from long range. This is a team that is going to drive, draw and dish and NC State has struggled at keeping tabs on shooters. They tend to get sucked in and leave shooters open on the perimeter. They need to stay home, close out under control and not allow for Butler to pump fake, drive and start putting pressure on the NC State bigs to stop rim runs.

Butler is a winnable game for NC State, and while the story might be Bates vs the Pack, it’s going to be more about who wins the guard matchup.

Related Topics:
1 Comment
Subscribe
Notify of
1 Comment
newest
oldest most Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Dof87
Dof87
6 months ago

OH yeah, I forgot about Manny being there. I wish him the best but not today.

Will be interesting to watch big body Burns batlle ball batting Bates.

Last edited 6 months ago by Dof87
1

NC State Basketball

D.J. Burns is OFFICIALLY BACK!

Published

1 month ago

on

April 27, 2023

By

Well, it’s OFFICIAL. D.J Burns will be returning to NC State for his final year of collegiate eligibility!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DJ Burns / BIG 30♨️ (@dj.b30)

This confirms everything I’d been hearing about the return of Burns. Burns was the key to the Wolfpack offense running effectively this past year. He averaged 12.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in 2022-23, but he elevated his game in ACC play, averaging 16.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in conference games.

Burns is celebrating his return to run with the Wolfpack by dropping his own Big 30 merch. Go over and snag something.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

Isaiah Miranda is an Early Entry Candidate for the 2023 NBA Draft

Published

1 month ago

on

April 26, 2023

By

The NBA released the names of the 242 players that have filed as early entry candidates for NBA Draft 2023 last night, and NC State’s Isaiah Miranda’s name was on the list.

Miranda (7’1″/225) joined the Wolfpack back in December, deciding to forgo the remainder of his prep season. Miranda didn’t see the court for NC State, resulting in a redshirt season.

ON3 ranked Miranda as the #16 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class.

It makes perfect sense for a player like Miranda, with his height and athleticism, to go through the draft process to be evaluated on what he needs to continue to work on. As an early entrant, Miranda has the ability to pull his name out of the draft and remain a collegiate athlete.

I don’t expect Miranda to keep his name in the hat when the time comes. From what I hear his game has tons of potential, but he still needs to fine tune his craft. Also, Miranda shared this on social media, implying he will be back in the Red and White next year.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

Missouri Transfer Mohamed Diarra Commits to NC State

Published

1 month ago

on

April 24, 2023

By

NC State picked up their 5th transfer today. Mohamed Diarra (6’10″/215) committed to run with the Wolfpack today while in Raleigh on an Official Visit.

Diarra originally spent his first two seasons at Garden City Community College, averaging 17.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game in his second season. He landed at Missouri last year, after being rated as the #1 JUCO prospect in the 2022 class according to JucoRecruiting.com.

In his only season at Missouri, Diarra averaged 11.7 minutes per game in 25 games played (6 starts), averaging 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds. Because of the extra year due to Covid, Diarra has 2 years of eligibility remaining.

With news breaking today that Dusan Mahorcic entered the Transfer Portal, the Wolfpack found his replacement. NC State’s frontcourt in 2023-24 currently will be made up of D.J. Burns, Ben Middlebrooks, Mohamed Diarra and Ernest Ross.

Check out these highlights of Diarra.

There is a lot to like in Diarra’s game. He is athletic, can hit a jump shot, put the ball on the floor, can play defense on the perimeter, block shots, and is an aggressive rebounder.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

Missouri Transfer Mohamed Diarra is On an Official Visit to NC State Today

Published

1 month ago

on

April 24, 2023

By

Missouri Transfer Mohamed Diarra (6’10″/215) is on an Official Visit to NC State today. Diarra originally spent his first two seasons at Garden City Community College, averaging 17.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game in his second season. He landed at Missouri last year, after being rated as the #1 JUCO prospect in the 2022 class according to JucoRecruiting.com.

In his only season at Missouri, Diarra averaged 11.7 minutes per game in 25 games played (6 starts), averaging 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds. Because of the extra year due to Covid, Diarra has 2 years of eligibility remaining.

Diarra entered the Transfer Portal on March 28th.

Continue Reading