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Position Preview: SFs will thrive in Keatts’ offense

Published

6 years ago

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Position: Stretch Forward

Players: Torin Dorn, Shaun Kirk

Kevin Keatts described his offense in the exhibition game as having 4 guards, but for the sake of trying to break down the different roles that this team is going to have, we’re going to call the third guard spot, a stretch forward.

That being said, These guys are going to be more of your slasher/athlete types. You’ve seen both Dorn and Kirk play, but what can you expect from them in a Keatts offense?

Strengths
Both Dorn and Kirk are long, strong, athletic types who thrive in space. This offense is going to serve them well as it’s built around freeing up the paint and keeping the driving lanes open.

Obviously, Dorn is going to see more minutes since he’s the more polished of the two. Last year, before the NC State offense got stagnant and started clogging up the lane, he was putting up monster stats. Dorn’s ability to shoot it from the outside with some consistency needs to be proven, but his ability to take it to the hoop and his movement without the basketball are probably the best on the team at this point.

As long as the floor spacing is good, Torin Dorn will be a factor for NC State.

As for Kirk, he is going to see a little more floor time this season. With his length, his athleticism and his ability to be a big-time finisher on the break, Kirk should find himself a role in Keatts rotation.

A real strength at this position will be the ability to create mismatches. Most ACC teams play with two bigs. NC State will have one big and Stretch Forward who will cause problems for the less mobile 4s that other teams put out there. The good news for Keatts is that both Dorn and Kirk have the size and length to guard bigger opposing 4s.

Dorn and Kirk’s versatility is what is going to pay big dividends for the Wolfpack this season.

Weaknesses
Neither Dorn nor Kirk really have much of an outside shot. The idea of the stretch forward is that it ‘stretches’ the defense. If these guys show they are unwilling to shoot from the outside, or if they can’t knock down open shots, defenses are going to sag down, taking away their ability to attack off the dribble.

Depth may also end up being an issue. State has 4 guys (Johnson, Batts, Freeman and Hunt) who will be competing for 2 guard slots most of the time, and 3 bigs who will rotate in one or two slots. Dorn is really going to be leaned on to play major minutes since he’s got size, speed, and athleticism and they’ll need him to guard opposing 3s and 4s. He’s the only one who has that versatility. Kirk can do this as well, but Kirk still gets a little lost on defense and needs to earn Keatts trust.

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ECU Transfer Forward Ezra Ausar to NC State is Trending Up

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

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

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22 hours 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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USC Transfer Power Forward Brandon Gardner Includes NC State In Top 6

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1 day ago

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April 30, 2024

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USC Power Forward Brandon Gardner (6’8″/215) listed NC State in his Top-6 along with Jacksonville, San Francisco, Arizona St., Texas A&M and Arizona.

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Gardner was a 4-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, with Rivals ranking him as the #74 overall player nationally, and ESPN ranking him as the #2 player in the state of New York (Christ the King, New York City). He is originally from Waynesboro, Georgia. Prior to playing for Christ the King, Gardner played for Word of God Academy, so Raleigh is familiar to him.

Kevin Keatts and his NC State Coaching Staff offered Gardner when he was in high school.

Prior to committing to USC, Gardner was committed to St. John’s.

This past season Gardner only played in 4 minutes in 1 game for the Trojans, making it a redshirt season.

Gardner will have 4 years of eligibility wherever he lands.

 

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