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Wolferetti: Trap game incoming as NC State travels to Atlanta to face GT

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2 years ago

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Two weeks ago I pointed to this 3 game stretch (Duke, VT, Miami) and said that NC State needed to win 2 out of 3 to save their season.

Doing so would mean upsetting one Top-25 team and beating Virginia Tech on the road. The odds weren’t great, but in classic NC State fashion, just when some were leaving them for dead, they resurrected themselves and went on a run.

NC State won all 3 of those games. They took out two Top-25 teams and beat Virginia Tech on the road. We learned something about NC State over this run. We learned that when the pressure is on, they can produce. However, tonight we’ll learn another lesson, a lesson that’s potentially just as important.

How will the Pack respond to a ‘trap game’?

A trap game is one of those games where you are coming off an emotional high, playing in a game you are supposed to win, before heading into another game where there will be big emotions involved.

To even get into a trap game you have to win some big games. After those wins, you start feeling good about yourself. You start basking in the good press and the constant compliments. It feels good.

But it also exposes weaknesses.

Tonight we’ll find out how mentally tough NC State is. We’ll find out if they are a contender or a pretender this season.

Georgia Tech has lost 3 in a row. They have lost 5 of their last 6 games. They are 2nd to last in the ACC (1-6). This is a team that is struggling.

Meanwhile, NC State has won 3 in a row. They’ve won 6 of their last 7 games and they are 4-3 (middle of the pack) in the ACC. Their only conference losses have come to the top teams in the league.

By all accounts, NC State should win this game. But that’s the potential problem. With a rivalry matchup with UNC on the horizon, State has to head to Atlanta where Georgia Tech is 1-3 on the season, with a win over #12 Miami. Their only losses have come to 1st place Clemson, 3rd place Pitt and current 2nd place (#13) Virginia.

NC State knows this and will come out with effort for sure, but this game is going to be about focus. Can NC State lock in, focus, and take good shots? Can they stay disciplined on defense?

If they can, then NC State will likely crush the Yellow Jackets. If they can’t, they will lose this game. That’s how wide the swing can be for NC State. When they are focused on valuing the basketball, taking good shots and playing as a team, they can beat almost anybody. But when they get a little loose and lazy, start settling for poor shots, they can lose to a lower tier ACC team on the road.

This is a Keatts game.

This is one can really look at as one that falls squarely on the coach’s shoulders. Everyone knows that the focus and energy of a team coming off a stretch like this (and looking ahead to a rivalry game) is going to drift. It’s going to feel comfortable to coast, but it’s up to Keatts to hammer this point home and keep his guys locked in.

The great coaches take games like this and challenge their teams to not only win but to overwhelm and blowout opponents in trap games. That way, when those moments of coasting (or lack of focus) do set in, there is a built-in buffer.

I hope I see Keatts lead by example in this one. I’d like to see his energy level ramped up to set the tone. To let his guys know that this is not the time to take plays off or to take their foot off the gas. Instead, it’s a proving ground. A time to let the league know who they really are, and a warning shot to UNC for their upcoming matchup.

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A pasta eatin', Wolfpack lovin' loudmouth from Raleigh by way of New Jersey. Jimmy V and Chuck Amato fanboy. All opinions are my own and you're gonna hear'em.

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Rev
Rev
1 year ago

Dof87 called it. Joiner, Morsell, and Burns played like veterans. Credit Keatts with some of Smith’s success driving to the hoop instead of just shooting (4 of 11) threes.

0
Dof87
Dof87
1 year ago

Just because GT has struggled lately doesn’t mean they are not a good team. As the article astutely point out they beat Miami and losses are to other ACC leading teams. We’ll be facing a desperate opponent, at their home court, with nothing to lose and everything to prove. I would say, though, player experience and maturity is the key and the reason we should feel a bit more confident about this game. If it is 100% on KK to keep the players focused we lose, coaches can’t control their minds completely. I say its very much also on Joiner,… Read more »

Last edited 1 year ago by Dof87
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Papajohn
Papajohn
1 year ago
Reply to  Dof87

GT drives you nuts with shifting defenses, going to need Jarkell to keep us straight.

1
Dof87
Dof87
1 year ago
Reply to  Papajohn

DJ’s scoring and passing acumen inside will help a lot, I hope.

1
Papajohn
Papajohn
1 year ago

The rumor is that Dusan is coming back and it may even be before the end of the month. Someone posted that he’s been sidelined over 40 days, the same length of time he was sidelined the last time it happened. This would be a great game to have him. We’re probably okay without him tonight, but he could get some minutes and start knocking the rust off, and help him prep for Bacot on Saturday. He could really make a difference if he plays that game. But like JW said, stay focused and let’s get our second ACC road… Read more »

1
gregincharleston
gregincharleston
1 year ago
Reply to  Papajohn

OK, can somebody PLEASE show this post to KK? I’m sure he knows, but some reinforcement couldn’t hurt! GO PACK!!!

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NC State Basketball

NC State Women’s Basketball Releases Their 2024-25 Non-Conference Schedule

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21 hours ago

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July 26, 2024

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NC State Women’s Basketball team released their 2024-25 Non-Conference Schedule yesterday.

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RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State women’s basketball program has announced its non-conference slate for the 2024-25 season, as revealed on Thursday.

The Pack will play eight of its 11 games, in addition to a preseason exhibition, at Reynolds Coliseum. Coming off a historical 2023-24 season that was highlighted by the program’s first Final Four since 1998, second in program history, head coach Wes Moore is entering his 12th season at the helm. With a strong home court advantage, the Pack has accumulated a 117-15 (.886) record at home since the renovation of Reynolds Coliseum was completed in August 2016.

NC State will participate in the Pink Flamingo Championship at Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas on Monday, Nov. 25 and Wednesday, Nov. 27 against opponents that will be announced at a later date. As previously announced, NC State will play the defending NCAA Champion South Carolina at the Ally Tipoff at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte on Sunday, Nov. 10, as well as host Ole Miss for the SEC/ACC Challenge on Thursday, Dec. 5.

The Wolfpack will host Anderson (S.C.) for an exhibition on Tuesday, Oct. 29 before officially starting the season at home vs. ETSU on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Following the Ally Tipoff, NC State will return home to host Kent State on Thursday, Nov. 14.

NC State’s first true road game of the season is at TCU on Sunday, Nov. 17. The Pack will then play Coastal Carolina at home on Thursday, Nov. 21 before its trip to the Bahamas for two games (Nov. 25-27).

The Pack will close out the non-conference slate with four straight games at Reynolds Coliseum, starting with the SEC/ACC Challenge game vs. Ole Miss (Thursday, Dec. 5). NC State will then host Old Dominion (Sunday, Dec. 8), Davidson (Wednesday, Dec. 11) and James Madison (Thursday, Dec. 19) to wrap up non-conference play.

With NC State’s known non-conference opponents, six are coming off postseason tournament appearances. Three received NCAA Tournament bids (Kent State, Ole Miss and NCAA Champion South Carolina), two were invited to play in the WBIT (TCU and James Madison) and one played in the WNIT (Old Dominion).

NC State’s Atlantic Coast Conference schedule will be announced by the league office at a later date. NC State will play Wake Forest, Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Miami, Notre Dame, Pitt, Virginia and Virginia Tech at home. The Pack will take on Wake Forest, Cal, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, North Carolina, SMU, Stanford and Syracuse on the road.

Season tickets are sold out for the 2024-25 season. Tip-off times and television designations will also be released at a later date.

2024-25 Non-Conference Schedule

Tuesday, Oct. 29 – Anderson (Exh.)

Tuesday, Nov. 5 – ETSU

Sunday, Nov. 10 – South Carolina $

Thursday, Nov. 14 – Kent State

Sunday, Nov. 17 – at TCU

Thursday, Nov. 21 – Coastal Carolina

Monday, Nov. 25 – Opponent TBD &

Wednesday, Nov. 27 – Opponent TBD &

Thursday, Dec. 5 – Ole Miss +

Sunday, Dec. 8 – Old Dominion

Wednesday, Dec. 11 – Davidson

Thursday, Dec. 19 – James Madison

$ – Ally Tipoff (Spectrum Center, Charlotte, N.C.)

& – Pink Flamingo Championship (Baha Mar, Nassau, Bahamas)

+ – SEC/ACC Challenge (Raleigh, N.C.)

 

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NC State Basketball

NC State Legend Julius Hodge Named Head Coach at Lincoln University

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2 days ago

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July 24, 2024

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NC State Legend Julius Hodge has been named the Head Coach at Lincoln University.

This marks Hodge’s first stint as a Head Coach.

Hodge has been in the Coaching world since 2015, when he served as Director of Player Development at the University of Buffalo under Bobby Hurley. Then, he spent 2016 and 2017 as an Assistant Coach under Herb Sendek at Santa Clara. From 2018-20, Hodge served as an Assistant Coach at San Jose State. Hodge has spent the past three seasons as an Assistant Coach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

At NC State, Hodge earned 1st Team All-ACC honors in 2003 & 2004, and 2nd Team honors in 2005. Hodge was named the ACC Player of the Year in ’04. He earned the All-Freshman Team in 2002.

Hodge is 1 of 11 players in NC State history to earn 1st Team All-ACC honors more than once.

His 2,040 career points scored rank 3rd in NC State history. Hodge also ranks 1st in Free Throws Made, 14th in Rebounds, 7th in Offensive Rebounds, 6th in Assists and 7th in Steals.

Congrats Julius! You deserve this!

 

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NC State Basketball

WATCH: Getting to Know NC State’s Trey Parker

Published

4 days ago

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July 23, 2024

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NC State Men’s Basketball is releasing videos helping fans get to know the new players on the 2024-25 roster.

Below is the video of Freshman Trey Parker (6’1″/178), with a transcript underneath.

“My name is Trey Parker. I’m an incoming Freshman from Fayetteville, North Carolina.” 

“I was recently playing at Overtime Elite. It was a great experience. A whole lot of development and great energy.” 

“Coach Levi (Watkins) recruited me. As soon as I got to the campus, it was a great experience. They just gave me that big inspiration to feel like I’m home, and feel like a great student outside of basketball.”

“I knew I wanted to be a part of the Pack back in November of 2022. I just felt like it was a great fit for me.”

“Living in North Carolina, and now playing in North Carolina, is a big opportunity. There’s a lot of people from North Carolina looking up to me, and I want to give them what they want to see.” 

“Being close, allows for them to bring the whole city out. It just feels like I’m already at home.” 

“Y’all stay tuned. Showtime is coming this year.”

_______

Parker originally signed with NC State in November of 2022, as a member of the 2023 recruiting class. He decided to reclassify, making him a member of the 2024 class.

Parker is a consensus 3-Star prospect, though 247Sports’ Composite Rankings have him as a 4-Star prospect. 247 ranks him as the #135 overall player in the 2024 recruiting class, the #26 Shooting Guard, and the #13 player in the state of Georgia.

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NC State Basketball

Jersey Numbers for 2024-25 NC State Men’s Basketball Team Revealed

Published

1 week ago

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July 18, 2024

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The NC State Men’s Basketball team revealed the Jersey Numbers for their 2024-25 team yesterday.

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Numbers that are Staying the Same

Michael O’Connell – #12

Ben Middlebrooks – #34

Dennis Parker Jr. – #11

KJ Keatts – #13

Jordan Snell – #22

Numbers that have Changed

Jayden Taylor – #1 –> #8

Breon Pass – #10 –> #4

Numbers of New Players

Mike James – #0 (He wore #0 at Louisville last year)

Brandon Huntley-Hatfield – #1 (He wore #5 at Louisville last year)

Paul McNeil – #2 (He wore #2 in High School last year)

Dontrez Styles – #3 (He wore #0 at Georgetown last year)

Trey Parker – #5 (He wore #5 in High School last year)

Marcus Hill – #10 (He wore #0 at Bowling Green last year)

We don’t know what number Ismael Diouf will be wearing at NC State next year yet. 

 

 

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