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Technician Interview: Jordan Vandenberg

Published

11 years ago

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Men’s basketball held its annual media day on Monday, ringing in the 2013-2014 season. The Technician caught up with redshirt senior center Jordan Vandenberg, who enters his last year of eligibility with the program.

Technician: You’ve talked about how you’ve been dropping weight and getting ready for the season. How’s that been going?

Vandenberg: “You know, I’ve just put in a lot of work this postseason, working on my body and on my game.  It’s my last year here so I want to make it count and do right by all my teammates who have supported me throughout the time I’ve been here.”

Q: In practice have you been working as the primary center, or is there any kind of set lineups?

A: “There are no lineups set yet. We’re all still earning the offense and our role on the team. I will work hard to make that the case, but I’m not really about that right now. I’m just concerned with keeping myself in good match shape.”

Q: What are you trying to improve between now and when the season starts?

A: “I want to work on team chemistry. We have a lot of talented players, we just need to make sure we’re on the same page when the season comes around. There’s not a lot expected of us but I think we’re going to shock so me people.”

Q: You’re the only player left from the Sweet Sixteen run, how do you think the team chemistry is different?

A: “I can’t really compare those teams to be honest. This is a very young team with a bunch of new players. We have a different dynamic to the team. Everyone knows they have to prove their worth on this team, where as last year, we had established stars; we knew who was going to play. Because there is no clashing of egos it might be different.”

Q: Coach Gottfried talked this summer about how you, Tyler [Lewis] and Ralston [Turner] assumed leadership roles. Could you speak on that?

A: “I’m the only senior on this team. I try to help the young guys along, teach them small parts of the offense and explain to them my experiences, and how to approach college in the right way.”

Q: What have you seen from Desmond Lee?

A: “Des[mond] Lee is like the x-factor. No one knows about him, really. He came out of junior college but he’s a very, very talented player. I’ve been around a lot of players but for a two-guard, or shooting guard, he’s pretty talented. He’s fast, strong, he can play defense. It’s a really nice pickup.”

Q: What do you think Ralston [Turner] provides to the team since coming in last year?

A: “Ralston is a very quiet leader. When he has something to say you listen but approaches it by example. He doesn’t take days off, he doesn’t take drills off. He works hard and will probably be one of the best shooters on the team.”

 

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NC State Basketball

The Roster for the NC State Men’s Basketball Team is all but Set Heading into 2024-25

Published

3 days ago

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May 3, 2024

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NC State does have 1 scholarship available, and could still add a player out of the Transfer Portal. With that being said, the roster for the Men’s Basketball team is pretty much set for the 2024-25 season.

Non-graduates had to enter the Transfer Portal by April 30th, and Graduates had to enter by May 1st. Jayden Taylor and Michael O’Connell both made public announcements that they were returning, but the closure of entrance to the Portal means that Breon Pass, Ben Middlebrooks, Dennis Parker Jr. and MJ Rice are all set to return next season.

In a world where the Transfer Portal has all but become free agency in College Basketball, with some players switching schools on an annual basis, it’s encouraging that Kevin Keatts not only recruited a Top-10 Transfer Class, but also recruited a majority of the eligible players to stay. Three players that could transfer entered the Portal (I’m not counting Mohamed Diarra in these numbers, who opted to go pro), while 6 opted to continue running with the Wolfpack.

As a result, below is a breakdown of the roster for the NC State Men’s Basketball team heading into 2024-25, realizing the Wolfpack could still add one player (this team is deep).

1 year of Eligibility 

Guard Michael O’Connell
Guard Marcus Hill
Guard Breon Pass
Guard/Forward Jayden Taylor
Forward/Guard Dontrez Styles
Forward Ben Middlebrooks
Center Brandon Huntley-Hatfield

2 Years of Eligibility

Guard/Forward MJ Rice
Guard Mike James
Guard Jordan Snell (Walk-On)
Guard KJ Keatts (Walk-On)

3 Years of Eligibility 

Guard/Forward Dennis Parker Jr.

4 Years of Eligibility 

Guard Paul McNeil
Guard Trey Parker

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NC State Basketball

NC State’s Men’s Basketball 2024 Transfer Class Ranks in the Top-10 Nationally

Published

4 days ago

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May 2, 2024

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NC State’s Men’s Basketball team has picked up 4 players from the Transfer Portal this offseason, and the class ranks 10th nationally according to ON3, and 15th nationally according to 247Sports.

ON3

247Sports

NC State’s 2024 4-Man Transfer Class

Center Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (Louisville)

Guard/Forward Dontez Styles (Georgetown)

Guard Mike James (Louisville)

Guard Marcus Hill (Bowling Green)

NC State still has a chance to move up in the rankings. East Carolina Power Forward Ezra Ausar just wrapped up an Official Visit to NC State, and things are looking good for the Wolfpack. ON3 ranks Ausar as the #67 overall player in the Portal, and the #15 Power Forward.

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NC State Basketball

WATCH: Andy Katz’s Offseason Convo with NC State’s Kevin Keatts

Published

4 days ago

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May 2, 2024

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Andy Katz is beginning to make his rounds for his Offseason Convo series, and he took the time to meet with NC State Head Coach Kevin Keatts.

In their conversation, Keatts talked about what this run has meant to Raleigh and the Wolfpack fans, how it has helped sell the program the way it deserves to be in recruiting, and even how it helped and hurt in the world of the Transfer Portal.

Check out the conversation below:

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NC State Basketball

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

Published

5 days 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.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Michael O’Connell (@michaeloc_12)

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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