How will Dennis Smith Jr be remembered? I honestly am not sure. I’m guessing a lot like JJ Hickson. People from NC State will want to claim him as their own if he succeeds in the NBA, but overall I think the expectations outweighed the reality and that kind of stung for people. Smith Jr was supposed to save the program. Even his own coach called him the best guard in the nation. Now, even if he was, I don’t think a coach should be spreading the praise on that thick, but it is what it is. It just goes as a reminder. Most real winning teams do not have freshman leaders, and their PG is not a high volume scorer. NC State had both, and look where it got them.
Now, we say that as NC State fans, but the truth is, Dennis Smith Jr is a crazy gifted basketball player. He is just young. He made moves this season that you only see from NBA all-stars make. The kid is going to be a success, Let’s take a look at this years greatest hits.
Dennis we hardly knew ye. Wish you had a better coach because this season could have been very special. Good luck to you in the NBA and don’t forget to join TJ back in Raleigh during the breaks.
BTW, where is that little twerp that was always on here telling everyone they didn’t know about basketball? Haven’t heard from him since everything I had been saying about this team came true.
I feel like the average age on that site may be too young. Too many brainwashed Wolfpackers who believe State should play 3rd fiddle to our neighbors. We have the money, the facilities, the location. Only thing missing is a good coach and the right administration. Yow doesn’t get a pass until she rights the men’s basketball program.
Wolfer96
7 years ago
They are alike in that they were both coached poorly. It wasn’t JJ’s fault that team chemistry took a dump. That was on Lowe for playing favorites and not integrating JJ better into the existing roster. Much like how Gott mismanaged his roster and had so many transfers over the years.
Today was the final day graduate players could enter the Portal.
This past season, O’Connell averaged 5.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Wolfpack, starting 22 of the 41 games he played in.
O’Connell took over as NC State’s starting Point Guard on January 30th in a win against Miami.
He only scored in double figures in 9 of his 41 games this season, but 6 of those came in postseason play (5 in the ACC Tournament). O’Connell took things to another level in the ACC Tournament, playing aggressive on the offensive end, looking for his shot, and attacking the rim.
NC State played it’s best basketball of the season when O’Connell was running the show. He ranked 3rd in the ACC in Assist/Turnover Ratio (2.5).
Heading into next season, with a lineup filled with new faces, having the calming presence of a veteran leader like O’Connell is reassuring.
ECU Transfer Power Forward Ezra Ausar (6’9″/240) was on an Official Visit to NC State yesterday, and according to analysts at ON3 and 247Sports, things are trending in the right direction for the Wolfpack.
Jamie Shaw of ON3 submitted a prediction for Ausar to eventually commit to NC State yesterday morning.
Cory Smith of 247Sports submitted a crystal ball projection for Ausar to run with the Wolfpack this morning.
Ausar just wrapped up his Sophomore season in Greenville, averaging 11.4 points and 4.7 rebounds, shooting 51.4% from the field. As a Freshman, he was named to the AAC All-Freshman Team, averaging 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Ausar is a consensus 4-Star prospect in the Transfer Portal, and ON3 ranks him as the #60 overall player in the Portal and the #10 Power Forward.
Originally from Atlanta, Ausar played his Senior Season of High School at Liberty Heights Athletic Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina. ON3 ranked Ausar as a 4-Star prospect coming out of high school, the #94 overall player nationally, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina.
Ausar has visited Seton Hall, Georgia Tech, met over Zoom with Georgetown, and had an in-home visit with Utah. John Calipari and his staff at Arkansas have been in touch with Ausar, as well as Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Arizona State, West Virginia, Iowa State and St. John’s. (Link)
At this point, it’s good news that Ausar has no visits scheduled after the visit to NC State.
Ausar has 2 years of eligibility remaining, and NC State currently has 1 scholarship remaining.
NC State Head Coach Kevin Keatts and the beloved DJ Burns were both Siren Sounders for the Canes this evening, with Carolina defeating the Islanders 6-3, winning the Round 1 series 4-1.
Me: Were you nervous?
Kevin Keatts: No! I just won nine elimination games in the NCAA Tournament!
Dennis we hardly knew ye. Wish you had a better coach because this season could have been very special. Good luck to you in the NBA and don’t forget to join TJ back in Raleigh during the breaks.
One and dones never comes back.
Dennis may because he’s a local guy. JJ was from Georgia so it makes sense he doesn’t come back.
Wrong post
BTW, where is that little twerp that was always on here telling everyone they didn’t know about basketball? Haven’t heard from him since everything I had been saying about this team came true.
Try “backingthepack.com”. There a bunch of them on that website.
I feel like the average age on that site may be too young. Too many brainwashed Wolfpackers who believe State should play 3rd fiddle to our neighbors. We have the money, the facilities, the location. Only thing missing is a good coach and the right administration. Yow doesn’t get a pass until she rights the men’s basketball program.
They are alike in that they were both coached poorly. It wasn’t JJ’s fault that team chemistry took a dump. That was on Lowe for playing favorites and not integrating JJ better into the existing roster. Much like how Gott mismanaged his roster and had so many transfers over the years.
Just like J.J. Hickson. J.J. who?