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Quick Hits: Louisville

Published

9 years ago

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The ACC has added depth and competition and a big reason why it’s stronger than ever is because of Louisville. This season the Cardinals have proven to be one of the best teams in the ACC as well as the country. Coming into the game this Saturday Louisville stands at 20-4 and ranked 9th in the country. Not only has Louisville proved to be good offensively but they have made their hay on the defensive end. The Cards rank in the top 15 in both steals (11th) and blocks (8th) in the NCAA.

A hallmark of Rick Pitino’s teams is a menacing full court defense that they use to get opposing teams out of sorts. That is how they come up with so many steals as their hectic pressure forces opponents to make ill-advised passes. If a team is going to gamble as much as the Cards do, then you better have some rim protection to clean up the mistakes. Luckily the Cardinals have Montrezl Harrell (6-8) and Mangok Mathiang (6-10) who both average over a block a game. Even though Louisville is great at ramping up the pressure it does leave them susceptible to mistakes and easy buckets. In the four losses they have on the season there was a common thread…That being all four team attacked their pressure and looked to score instead of just getting it past the time line. State must use their quickness to attack off of the press. Cat and Trevor must make quick decisions and move the ball quickly in order to come away with a win.

Louisville has done an excellent job all season of getting ready for each opponent as they have not dropped a game to unranked team thus far. Their four losses have been too formidable foes all ranked in the top 20. Not only does Louisville wear a team out defensively but they look to push the ball and tempo at every chance. Terry Rozier (6-1) a dynamic sophomore guard out of Ohio leads the Cards attack offensively, not only is he their leading scorer but he also leads the ACC in PPG at 18.5. By using his outstanding strength and toughness Rozier wills his way into the paint with reckless abandonment, which leads to him getting points at the foul line. State must be prepared to take a charge to take advantage of his reckless play.

Flanking Rozier is Harrell, the junior power forward puts the power in the position. He is a bull as he attacks the rim with force looking to take his defender with him. On the season he is averaging 15.8 points per and 9.2 boards. Our big men must be ready for a physical affair and put a body on Harrell. If they allow him a couple of highlight worthy plays the KFC YUM! Center will become a nightmare. There is definitely a couple of chinks in Harrell’s armor though, that being his willingness to settle for three-pointers and his emotions. Hopefully State can coax him into settling early and often for contested jump shots. The weakness that State needs to expose is his emotions. Harrell has let his emotions get out of hand which has lead to a couple of technicals and even a suspension this season. I am not suggesting the Pack do anything outside the lines of the game; but they need to be physical with him.

The only way NC State escapes Louisville with a win is to play with a copious amount of energy coupled with outstanding focus. If State can attack Louisville off of the press and limit their turnovers I am confident that they can come away with a win. I think Coach Gottfried needs to adjust the line-up to have more ball handlers who are capable of attacking the rim. Will we see more of Dez Lee? I am not sure, but the type of game the Cards prefer plays right into Lee’s strengths. Hopefully the Pack will continue to play hard and force the NCAA Committee to look their way once the season is in the books.

Redemption is less than 24 hours away as the Pack square off with the Cardinals at 4PM on Saturday. Catch all of the action on ESPN.

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Wolfer96
Wolfer96
9 years ago

Watching the game, I can tell you what jumped out at me. Gott finally employed the pick and roll. And not just once or twice an entire game but using it as the primary offensive play. And it has been effective. 

That high post crap was before the 3 point shot existed. We need to stick with this pick and roll, pick and pop.

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NC State Basketball

ECU Transfer Forward Ezra Ausar to NC State is Trending Up

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1 hour 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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2 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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12 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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20 hours 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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