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247 Sports is predicting that Former 5-Star MJ Rice, from Kansas, will head to NC State

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MJ Rice, a former 5-star who was heavily considering NC State prior to his Kansas commitment, was on campus this past weekend.

Today, 247 Sports, updated their Crystal Ball prediction to show Rice likely heading to NC State.

The 6’5 swing forward would be a great get for Kevin Keatts, who likes to play small ball at times. Kansas used Rice at the 4 from time to time, and with his physicality and athleticism, he could do the same for NC State. However, it’s likely Rice will see most of his time split between the 2, 3 and 4 positions, giving him a lot of opportunity to get minutes.

Rice didn’t do much for Kansas in his freshman season, averaging 2 points and 1 rebound, but he only played 7.5 minutes per game and never really got going. He did score 19 against Texas Southern early in the season for Kansas.

We’ll have to wait for an official announcement, but 247’s Crystal Ball predictions don’t usually get updated unless there is solid intel.

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Rev
Rev
1 year ago

To wolfpack74 and Papajohn…… I have no idea if we will lose anyone to the portal but, I see Rice as a great addition and possibly insurance in case Morsell goes pro. I don’t remember the NCAA being very kind to the Pack, so I am doubtful about Dusan getting another year of eligibility. But this has to be the most on paper talent we have ever had.

Afterglow
Afterglow
1 year ago
Reply to  Rev

So good! I somehow thought we landed him or maybe I’m just unable to keep up. I’m greedy! Who’s next?!?

Papajohn
Papajohn
1 year ago

MJ Rice signed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dof87
Dof87
1 year ago
Reply to  Papajohn

Awesome! KK is cooking!. Rice was a key ingredient.

wolfpack74
wolfpack74
1 year ago
Reply to  Dof87

Glad I was wrong about Rice. Now what about Bradley?

Dof87
Dof87
1 year ago
Reply to  wolfpack74

This time last year we still hadn’t had any portal commitments and the fanbase was in a panic.

I think Bradley will keep his activity very low key given the stuff that happenned last year, no need to draw attention.. Probably won’t hear anything until he commits somewhere. Still a lot of time to find someone else, and that’s assuming KK will use Dusan’s scholly for another transfer.

wolfpack74
wolfpack74
1 year ago
Reply to  Dof87

Do you think we will have some players now enter the Transfer portal after Rice committed to State. However, three of these commitments have not as of now signed on the dotted line.

Papajohn
Papajohn
1 year ago
Reply to  wolfpack74

Rice is going to play the 4 position, the position our starters Clark and Gantt left wide open. Seems unlikely anyone would transfer out because of that. Ross would be the possibility, but there’s been no rumors of that.
Just guessing, but if we actually do sign a PG, that might trigger a transfer. We’d be getting pretty full at that position.

Dof87
Dof87
1 year ago
Reply to  wolfpack74

You never know how other players will re-assess their situation, but I’m hoping everyone stays. I like all our players and you don’t have to be a starter or play big minutes to help the team win.

I doubt any are suprised that KK is bringing in the best talent he can get.

Last edited 1 year ago by Dof87
wolfpack74
wolfpack74
1 year ago

Maybe premature prediction. Only one local analyst called it for State. Wait to see, but I doubt he comes.

Papajohn
Papajohn
1 year ago
Reply to  wolfpack74

My guess is, HE’S COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lol

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

classic

Rev
Rev
1 year ago

Back troubles are a bitch. He’s young. Hope he recovers. But if he only play 50% of the time, this guy is a good get.

Afterglow
Afterglow
1 year ago
Reply to  Rev

I too like him quite a bit. He’s well built, as well. I think he can withstand a good deal of pushing around and may even be the one who pushes people out of the way. As for the back problems, yeah, that’s not great but hopefully at his young age, it’s the type of thing he’ll recover from. Plus, in this day and age, our medical science is so advanced that if you have the resources, there are few ailments that can keep you down if under the right regime and guidance.

Papajohn
Papajohn
1 year ago

He had back troubles all last season. Hopefully that is BEHIND HIM. (sorry)

NC State Baseball

NC State has Dominated UNC in Athletics in 2023-24

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After NC State clinched a series victory over UNC last night in Baseball, I thought it would be a good time to relish in how the Wolfpack has dominated the Tar Heels Athletic Program as a whole in 2023-24.

The Wolfpack Baseball team has won the first two games in the series against the Tar Heels, clinching a series victory over UNC for the first time since 2021. It marks the first time NC State has won a series against the Tar Heels in Raleigh since 2016.

NC State defeated UNC in Volleyball 3-1, winning in Chapel Hill for the first time in 25 years. The Tar Heels had won the last 5 matches against the Wolfpack.

The Wolfpack defeated the Tar Heels 39-20 in Football in Carter-Finley Stadium. It marked the 3rd consecutive win over UNC.

NC State lost both regular season games to UNC in Men’s Basketball, but when it mattered most, the Wolfpack defeated the Tar Heels in the ACC Championship Game 84-76, winning their first title since 1987.

The Wolfpack Women’s Basketball team lost to their rival in Chapel Hill, but defeated UNC 63-59 in Reynolds Coliseum. NC State has won 5 of the last 7 against UNC.

In Gymnastics, NC State defeated UNC 196.725-194.925 in Raleigh. This marked the 3rd straight victory for the Wolfpack over the Tar Heels.

NC State’s Men & Women’s Swimming & Diving teams both beat UNC. The Men won 258-93, and the Women won 196-157.

The Wolfpack Wrestling team defeated UNC 33-6 in Reynolds Coliseum. NC State has won 11 straight Duals against the Tar Heels.

The NC State Men’s Tennis team defeated UNC 4-0, winning against their rival in back-to-back years.

The Wolfpack Women’s Tennis team has defeated the Tar Heels 4-3 on two occasions thus far this season, and will face their rival again today.

The Cross Country teams didn’t have individual meets against UNC, but the Women obviously beat them, because they won the ACC Championship. The Men didn’t, finishing 8th in the Conference, with the Tar Heels finishing 1st.

The only other NC State athletic team that didn’t taste victory against UNC this year was the Women’s Soccer team, losing 0-4 in Raleigh.

Of course, each of these NC State athletic teams has much higher goals than just beating their rival, but there’s no denying how sweet it is to beat the Tar Heels.

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NC State Basketball

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James is Currently Visiting NC State

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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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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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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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