NC State Basketball
NC State’s DJ Horne Comes off the Bench to Score Season High After Being 30 Seconds Late to Film
For the first time this season, Senior Guard DJ Horne didn’t start for NC State this afternoon against Louisville, but he managed to come off the bench to lead the Wolfpack in scoring with 27 points, marking a season high for the veteran.
In fact, 27 points is the 2nd most points Horne has ever scored in a single game. Back in 2021, Horne scored 34 points as a member of Illinois State.
Senior Michael O’Connell started instead of Horne, and played well, with 11 points of his own, and a team high 6 assists. For what it’s worth, NC State was +13 with O’Connell in the game, which led the team.
Horne wasn’t removed from the starting lineup because he shot 2-16 against UNC. He is the Wolfpack’s leading scorer this season.
No, Kevin Keatts didn’t start Horne because he was 30 seconds late to a film session.
Keatts had this to say in his postgame press conference:
“We have accountability in this program. D.J. Horne was 30 seconds late to film. Thirty seconds, I want you to know that. Everybody is held to a higher standard. He responded. He could have pouted, but he came out and played really well.”
I heard Rice is looking to go somewhere else if his playing time doesn’t improve. What a waste of talent if that happens and it’s all on you KKIAL.
Everybody is held to a higher standard, except for the coaching staff. We are priveledged and get a lot of money to be mediocre.
And here I was thinking it was a great move by Keatts to reward O’Connell for his strong play.
I was really annoyed when O’Connell didn’t start the 2nd half and then Louisville ran amok the first four minutes after intermission.
It was a tough final 2 minutes for O’Connell but he’s earned more PT.
Same. I was thinking Keatts noticed that O’Connell is an actual PG and isn’t always looking to shoot. As a team, they play so much better when he’s in there. I was pissed at the start of the 2nd half too.
He is detrimental on defense. Almost cost us the game in Louisville. So if and when he has one good game doesn’t make him a real asset.
Here are you actual words in a comment earlier, “Much like there are matchups where O’Connell shouldn’t be on the floor”. Care to explain or just agree that he is detrlment most of the time.