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Wolfpack Seeks Redemption vs Syracuse

Published

10 years ago

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ACC Tournament 3rd Round
NC State vs. Syracuse
7pm | Greensboro, NC | ESPN/ACCN

This is the game Pack fans had been eyeing. As the season played out, it was obvious that the Wolfpack’s best chance to get into the big dance was to finish with a 7th seed in the ACC. That would net them a game against a lower seed (which ended up being Miami) and then a rematch with Syracuse (who they feel they can beat.)

The Orange is a team that is hard to read right now. They have lost four of their last six and are still ranked #11. This would be the signature win the Pack has been needing. Let’s take a closer look at this matchup:

Last meeting with the Orange
One huge factor in the first game was the play of TJ Warren. Usually we talk about his scoring, but in this one it was his defense that was the key for State. He held CJ Fair to only 11 points and really kept him off balance all night. They need to focus on that again, but this time out the Pack should make sure Jerami Grant (who went for 12 pts and 14 boards last time) and Rakeem Christmas (14 points, 12 boards) don’t get off. Those two guys were monsters in the paint and were the real reason Syracuse stayed in the game (oh, and also the massive FT discrepancy in the 2nd half).

I tried to get through this without mentioning the need for Warren’s scoring, but it’s not possible. State needs Warren to be big tonight on the offensive end.  He needs to get inside that zone and knock down mid-rangers. He’s got the perfect game to attack this ‘soft in the middle’ zone. This is likely Warren’s last go-round so you can believe he’ll be out there going 110%.

Attack the zone
Last time out the Pack did a great job of getting to the middle of the Syracuse zone. They used Kyle Washington to get in the middle and create havoc. He finished with a huge game that night, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 boards. They’ll need that again, however it’s likely that Syracuse will pinch in a little and try to make Washington a little more uncomfortable. This will open up some shots from the arc, an area that State has been constantly improving late in the season.

They key for State should still be to infiltrate that zone and score in the paint, but knocking down a few 3s certainly wouldn’t hurt. They only shot 29% from the arc in the last meeting.

Rebounding is key
Syracuse is huge and they can really hurt you on the glass, but last time out State matched their physicality and their will in the paint. In the end the difference between the teams was only 1 rebound. Vandy is coming off a big game, so State will certainly welcome that, but the key today is whether or not Washington and Warren can replicate what they did last time out.

Syracuse struggling
We mentioned that Syracuse has lost 4 of their last 6 games, but they did just smash FSU to close their season. In that game they were animals on the boards and CJ Fair did whatever he wanted. Fair actually has been really good as of late, scoring 50 over his past 2 games. Ennis, Grant, Christmas and Cooley have all been off and on. State does matchup well with this team, but can not afford to come out soft or come out cold.

Gottfried is a great late season coach and the team was fired up yesterday. With a possible tournament bid on the line tonight, you should expect this team to come out with a ton of fire and thirst for redemption.

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NC State Basketball

NC State is Adding UMASS’ Brett Nelson as an Assistant Coach

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3 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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According to reports, NC State is adding UMASS’ Brett Nelson as an Assistant Coach.

Nelson was only at UMASS for 1 season under Frank Martin. Prior to that, Nelson was the Head Coach at Holy Cross for 4 seasons, posting a 27-84 record.

Prior to taking the Head Coaching mantle at Holy Cross, Nelson was at Marquette for 5 seasons, spending the first 3 as an Assistant Coach, and the final two as an Associate Head Coach. Prior to Marquette, Nelson also served as an Assistant Coach at Ball St., Drake, Arkansas and Marshall.

Before coaching basketball, Nelson played for the University of Florida from 1999-2003. He was All-SEC twice, and earned Third Team All-American honors. When he left Gainesville, he was the Gators’ all-time leader in three pointers made, and ranked 2nd in steals.

As a Senior in High School, Nelson was a McDonald’s All-American.

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NC State Basketball

Ernest Ross Announces He is Returning to NC State

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3 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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Power Forward Ernest Ross announced this morning that he is returning to NC State for his final year of eligibility.

 

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Last Friday, Ross committed to UTSA after entering the Transfer Portal on April 17th, but it looks like he had a change of heart over the past couple of days.

NC State has been in desperate need to add a Big out of the Portal. They have hosted ECU’s Ezra Ausar and Georgia’s Frank Anselem-Ibe, but neither of them have found a home yet. With the addition of Ross, NC State has added depth in the Frontcourt, and unless something changes, their roster is full with 13 scholarship players.

Ross played in 14 games this past season, averaging 3.4 minutes per contest. After playing in 34 games last season, averaging 11.4 minutes per contest, Ross saw his participation dip to a career low this season, but that didn’t for a second break his infectious personality. On the sideline, you could count on Ross every single game to be the heart and soul of the Wolfpack on the bench. To watch a player who played as little as he did, care as much as he did, makes me super proud that this young man represented NC State so well.

Ross was a consensus 4-star player in NC State’s 2021 recruiting class, with 247Sports ranking him as the #60 overall player nationally. ESPN ranked him as the #5 overall player in the state of Florida.

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NC State Basketball

A Matchup Between NC State & Marquette Next Season Might be in the Works

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4 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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According to NCAA.com’s Andy Katz, a matchup between NC State and Marquette next season might be in the works.

This past year, the Wolfpack defeated the Golden Eagles 67-58 in the Sweet 16 of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

NC State and Marquette have played one another 6 times overall, with the Wolfpack holding a 4-2 lead in the series, winning the past two matchups.

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NC State Basketball

NC State Men’s Basketball Will Play in the 2025 Maui Invitational

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4 days ago

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May 14, 2024

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The NC State Men’s Basketball Team will be playing in the 2025 Maui Invitational, on November 24-26 in Hawaii. This will mark the first time that NC State has ever played in the Maui Invitational.

NC State will be joined by Baylor, Oregon, Seton Hall, Texas, UNLV, USC and Chaminade.

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