NC State Basketball
Notes on NC State’s Best Start Under Kevin Keatts, and the Wolfpack’s Best Start in Nearly 20 Years
Last night, NC State improved to 18-5 overall and 8-4 in the ACC after defeating FSU 94-66 in PNC Arena. The Wolfpack are off to their best start under Kevin Keatts. Here are a few notes on last night, and the historic start for Kevin Keatts.
- NC State snapped a 5-game losing streak to FSU.
- This was the largest margin of victory (28 points) ever against the Seminoles, surpassing 25-point victories in 2001 and 1955.
- This is NC State’s best record through 23 games (18-5) since 2005-06 (19-4).
- This is the Wolfpack’s best ACC record through 12 games (8-4) since 2005-06 (8-4).
- This is the first time NC State has scored 90+ points in an ACC game since December 7th, 2019 against Wake Forest (91-82).
- Terquavion Smith scored 32 points, which was 1 point away from tying his career high of 33, which he scored against Coppin State in December.
- The Wolfpack have won 7 of their last 8 games.
- This is the best start Kevin Keatts has had at NC State through the first 23 games.
- They started 16-7 his first two seasons.
- This is also the Wolfpack’s best start in ACC play under Kevin Keatts through 12 games (8-4).
- His best start prior to this year was 6-6.
- NC State went 6-1 in January, which was the best record in the month of January since 1988-89 when the Wolfpack went 8-1.
- The Wolfpack entered February with 17 wins, which is the most wins entering the month in program history.
Looks like Clark will play again this season. Does he have another year of eligibility? I sure hope Dusan gets back in but no indication he is even working out or practicing yet. His defense and intensity would be extremely valuable in March.
Yes, he has another year. Only Mahorcic and Joiner have no remaining eligibility.
In this transfer crazy world, that really doesn’t tell us enough to know who’ll be here next season.
Before the season started, I asked if anyone would be unhappy with 10-10 in the ACC. I now agree with Dof87. 12-8 is realistic and there are several ways to get there. Wining whoever is up next is always important. So beat GaTech. Too bad we have to play BC and Cuse on the road, but we really can’t afford to lose those games. NOONE thought Duke and UNC would need to beat the Wolfpack to solidify their post season aspirations, but there it is. NCSU now has the target on our backs and everyone except Clemson and UVA is… Read more »
10-10 sounded pretty great compared to last season.
I worry about those final 4 games. We don’t need to head into post season on a losing streak.
I see a realistic path to a 12-8 finish if we continue to perform. Give or take a win and we are in good shape. We need one more road win, then we can take one home loss if needed
Our team is not only winning, we keep improving.
I think we’re all struggling to be believers. Meaning, ‘believing this isn’t all going to fall apart’, ‘believing that we are really a good team for a change.’
8 regular season games left, 5 of them very difficult games that will have an impact on what we think of this team’s chances in the post season.