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Position Preview: PG should be a strength for NC State

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7 years ago

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Position: Point Guard
Players: Markell Johnson, Lavar Batts Jr

Strengths: Pure speed. Ability to create chaos and find the open man. Aggressive and able to score when needed. Ability to play in-control at full throttle. Lock down defenders.

Weaknesses: Lack of experience. Both struggle shooting from long range.

A look at Gottfried’s shoot-first PG era
Cat Barber and Dennis Smith Jr were both elite level talents. Both were 5-star players and both led the Wolfpack in scoring. However, neither found team success when they were forced to put the load on their shoulders. That isn’t a knock on Barber or Smith Jr, it’s honestly just a combination of the times changing and a coach who mismanaged his talent. Let me explain.

Study great teams and they usually have one thing in common; a great PG. But, wait a second, ‘great PG’ means a lot of things to a lot of people. When I say great point guard, I mean it in the old-school way. A great point guard can score when they have to, but they are aware it’s not their priority.

They are on the floor to make everyone around them better. They should know their teammate’s strengths and help them get the ball in good position to be successful. They should understand the pace that the coach wants them playing and help dictate it on the court. A great PG is great at situational thinking, understanding what his team needs and when. He understands time management and is able to motivate and lead his teammates.

Cat Barber was basically an undersized 2 guard with a handle. Smith was more of a PG, but was a freshman and lacked experience. Both guys were laser-focused on putting the ball in the hoop and neither one made anyone around them better. That changes this season…

2017, the year of the playmaking PG
This year will be a lot different. This year you have Markell Johnson and Lavar Batts Jr. Two guys who are very similar in skillset. Both guys can score, but neither guy is a ‘scorer.’ These are guys who love to attack and are looking to make plays. Maybe it’s a dump off to a big in traffic, or maybe it’s a drive and kick to a shooter, or maybe the lane opens up and it’s a dunk. At the end of the day, this is the style of PG that keeps morale high, keeps teammates happy, puts wins in the win column.

Johnson and Batts are going to see a lot of floor time together and this is going to be a major strength for NC State.
These guys are both lightning quick, physical and able to operate at breakneck speeds without turning it over. This is going to allow NC State to really push the tempo and create havoc for opposing defenses. Not many teams in the ACC are going to have two guards who keep up with both of these guys.  So what’s the knock?

Keatts has been in the media letting everyone know that he is expecting a ton from Markell Johnson. Not just is he asking him to play full throttle for 30-35 minutes, he’s also asking him to learn how to lead. This is where the NC State point guards may struggle. Johnson is a sophomore and Batts if a freshman. Neither guy has any ACC floor time as a leader, but Keatts understands that if this team wants to win, they will need a floor leader.

The Takeaway:
NC State has lethal talent at the point. They will be fun to watch and will help everyone on this team reach their full potential, but the question remains if they have enough leadership to make waves in this league.

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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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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 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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