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NC State Hungry for More, Duke up Next

Published

10 years ago

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ACC Tournament Semifinals
NC State Wolfpack vs. Duke Blue Devils
3PM | Greensboro, NC  | ESPN/ACCN

The last time these two teams met it was a blowout. Duke did whatever they wanted and really just controlled every aspect of that basketball game. They shot over 50%, knocked down 11 3s and got double-digit scoring from Parker (23pts), Hood, Cook, Parker and Sulaimon.

One HUGE key for NC State will be protecting the basketball. They’ve been great as of late, holding their TOs to single digits throughout this tournament. Last time out against the Blue Devils, they turned it over 21 times. That led to multiple run-outs by Duke and tons of transition points. Duke lives off causing turnovers, but this State team is a lot different than they were during that first matchup. All of the sudden Barber is maturing and Lewis is playing stronger. The Wolfpack bigs a lot more physical than they were early in the season…but most of all, this team isn’t scared anymore. This team is hungry and they are looking at Duke like they’re their next meal.

Another key will be to slow down Jabari Parker. You can’t let him get into a rhythm. Sure he’s going to come out and take some forced shots early and try to get into takeover mode and try to prove he should have been the ACC POY, but you can’t allow easy buckets. He has to work for everything. I think State will have a much better matchup this time around as they will be able to put Lennard Freeman on him. Freeman was out last time the teams met and will be much better at staying physical with Parker and keeping him off balance.

Vandenberg might be playing his best basketball at the right time. Duke doesn’t have a quality big man so if Vandy can play like he did against Syracuse he can have a huge impact on this game. He needs to be physical on the boards and confidence on offense against a Duke team that is going to take it right at him.

Reffing needs to be solid. I just pray for an evenly called game.I know the ACC can’t stand the thought of not having a blue team in finals, but if State can keep up this run, they might have to make an exception. You saw the Pitt/Carolina game, right? When Pitt took over that game and UNC was dead in the water, the whistles really picked up. Now you might think I’m exaggerating, but it as actually the 5th most foul calls in ACC Tournament history. I’m not calling conspiracy, but all I’m saying is that the stripes get REAL controlling when one of the big dogs have an off night. Just a heads up….

So does a win get State in?
Yes, but I actually think State has a very real shot to already be in. With FSU losing and Clemson losing last night, State might have played themselves into a tourney berth. Their RPI took a huge jump last night in the win over Syracuse. They also will get a nice boost from Pitt’s win over UNC. Then you take into consideration the fact that they are red hot down the stretch and have the ACC player of the year and you might have yourself a pretty good case for an at-large bid. Heck…Dickie V thinks so….

 


 

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NC State Basketball

Guard Mike O’Connell Announces He Will Play His Final Year of Eligibility at NC State

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7 hours ago

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May 1, 2024

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Guard Michael O’Connell announced today that he will be playing his final year of eligibility at NC State next season.

 

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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.

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NC State Basketball

ECU Transfer Forward Ezra Ausar to NC State is Trending Up

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19 hours ago

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May 1, 2024

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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.

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NC State Basketball

NC State Signee Zamareya Jones Showed Out in the McDonald’s & Jordan All-American Games

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20 hours ago

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May 1, 2024

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NC State 2024 signee Zamareya Jones has played in the McDonald’s All-American game and the Jordan Brand Classic over the past month.

In the McDonald’s game on April 2nd, Jones had 13 points, helping her East squad defeat the West.

 

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In the Jordan Brand Classic on April 21st, Jones had 15 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. She also hit the game winner for Team Flight.

Jones is a 5-star prospect in the Wolfpack’s 2024 recruiting class, ranked 21st overall nationally by ESPN.

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NC State Basketball

NC State’s Kevin Keatts and DJ Burns Sounded the Siren at the Canes Game Tonight

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1 day ago

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April 30, 2024

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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.

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