Let’s get something straight. This is the beginning of a rebuilding process for NC State and new head coach Kevin Keatts.
Any time you open a season up with the question “Who is the point guard?” you know there is some growing that your team is going to have to do. That said, the Wolfpack has two very talented kids who have star potential as lead guards in the ACC.
The case for Markell Johnson
Coming into this season it was almost a sure bet that Markell Johnson would be the starting PG for NC State. Johnson fought his way into the lineup last season with his defense and hustle, even though he was blocked by NBA 1st rounder Dennis Smith Jr. He’s quick, tenacious and not afraid to take it to the hoop. While his outside shot was a work in progress last season, his ability to create off the dribble will prove to be very valuable in a Kevin Keatts offense.
The likely backup to Johnson is freshman Lavar Batts. He had decommitted from VCU and joined Keatts shortly after his hire. Batts, like Johnson, seemed to be exactly the type of player he was looking for. Lighting fast, aggressive, physical and a great defender. The popular theory was that Batts skillset was too similar to Johnson’s which would prevent Keatts from using both at the same time. Keatts has refuted that notion, but in the ‘case for Markell’ we’ll say that at the end of the day, in the ACC, size matters and so does scoring. In both cases, the answer becomes having only one of the two on the court.
There really wasn’t much of a question about who would start at PG in that scenario. It’d be Markell Johnson, right? He’s had a year in the league, he’s comfortable with the college game and has more experience playing with his teammates.
The Case for Levar Batts
Keatts slipped this quote into his most recent press conference, it got our attention.
“He’s getting better. The one thing about Markell is that he’s learning how to compete every day. He’s a guy — and it’s a great thing, because we’ve got a freshman, Lavar Batts, who is from around here who is really pushing him every day. You’ll see a lineup with those two guys in there together.
But for Markell, the great thing about it is because he played beside Dennis, he can play a 1 or 2. And the same thing with Lavar. But he’s coming along. A little slower than some other guys, but he’s getting there.”
What is he saying here with this comment? Is Markell Johnson having trouble adapting to his system? Is he not going 100% every day in practice? What does he mean by ‘coming along slower?’ Is Batts starting to wrestle the reigns away from him?
It’s likely that Markell came into the season thinking the PG spot was his. Maybe he thought his minutes were locked up, and maybe they are, but this makes it clear that Keatts doesn’t want him taking anything for granted. He is putting pressure on Markell to work harder and to get better.
Batts is going to be good and he’s a Keatts guy, so I’m sure he is pushing Johnson in practice. But is he outperforming him enough to take his spot? It’s possible.
Batts is crazy explosive and early reports out of VCU were that he was a coach’s dream and a kid who brought it 100% every time he hit the court, practice or game. Maybe ability wise they are on the same level and Batts is simply showing more in practice.
The case for both…
This is an NC State team that doesn’t scare many people on paper. They don’t have any elite scorers. They don’t have unbelievable size. They are picked in the bottom half of the league.
If this team is going to make noise it’s going to be because they are outworking people. If teams come to fear them it’s because they are super physical, extremely feisty and are ratcheted up to full volume everytime they hit the hardwood.
If that is how they are going to have to play to be successful, then you’ll need two guards who are in supreme shape, who can really defend and who play with a chip on their shoulder. The good news is, they have two guys who fit that bill perfectly in Johnson and Batts.
On a conventional team, in an ideal situation, you wouldn’t see these two skillsets as complimentary, but if Keatts is going to play the way he did at UNCW, these will be two of your most valuable assets.
I think the likely outcome is that Batts and Johnson coexist just as Keatts hinted. I think Batts plays more of your basic PG role and Johnson takes on a little more of the scoring load. With two lightning quick ball handlers who can really defend, you might start creating an identity for yourself.
We’re not sure what will happen when Abu returns, but despite Keatts’ latest comment, we think you’ll see a 4 guard lineup with Johnson, Batts, Freeman and Dorn.
So while there is a case seemingly made on both sides of the aisle, we think it’s going to end up with both playing major minutes this season.
