Connect with us

NC State Basketball

Gameday: No Hangover Allowed For Wolfpack vs BC

Published

9 years ago

on

NC State @ Boston College
Noon | Boston, MA | ESPN3

State is coming off a pretty impressive stretch with wins over Louisville and UNC (both ranked in the top 15). They have really put themselves in a good spot come selection Sunday, but the season isn’t quite over. This is still a young team and they’ve been accustomed to streakiness all season long which likely gives most State fans pause when thinking about today’s Boston College game. Sure the Eagles are in last place in the ACC and only have 1 victory, but this is the ACC and if you know anything, you know that anything is possible. Case in point, Pitt has been one of the hottest teams in the ACC over the past month, but on Tuesday night they almost lost to Boston College when Olivier Hanlan went off for 39 points. State can’t allow something like this to happen if they want to stay off the bubble. This is a game they’ll have to keep their focus and really concentrate on execution and defensive pressure. Here are our keys….

Stay Humble, Stay Hungry
This State team is different than a lot of others we’ve seen in the past. This team doesn’t have a ton of ego or attitudes on it. It’s a group of guys that, for the most part, are on the same page. The reason they have been so streaky has not been because they don’t feel like putting in the work, or are’ too cool/ too good’ to compete in some of the lesser games, but because they are young and still learning to win together. This team has always been improving since day 1. They went from a team that depended strictly on Lacey and Turner to a team that usually has 4 legit scoring option on the floor at any given time. They seem to have a clear vision of where they want to be. After the UNC game they celebrated but they all talked about “we have to keep going…the season isn’t over” in their interviews. This was a good sign and a reason to believe that this team thinks they could do something very special come March.

Play Physical
On the road in what might be a pretty empty stadium against the ACC’s last place team. Gottfried is going to have to do his best job to keep the guys zeroed in and focused on business. One thing State can’t do is come out soft and think they can go through the motions in this one. BC is pretty bad, but they are an ACC team and have enough talent to take advantage if you’re not prepared. The Pack needs to focus in on their mission. Sure this should be an easy win on paper, but you know how that usually goes. This is going to have to be a point of emphasis for the Wolfpack bigs. Freeman and Abu have done a great job throwing their bodies around in the post and it’s a real reason Gott has stayed with that lineup. BC isn’t strong in the paint and has had trouble rebounding all season long. If the Pack bigs come out looking to get physical, the Eagles aren’t going to have much of a chance.

Stop Hanlan
Remeber the guy that dropped 4o points in an ACC tournament game as a freshman? Yeah, he’s still around and he’s been white hot over the last few weeks. Olivier Hanlan has scored over 3o points in 4 of his last 6 games. He went to the foul line 14 times against Pitt last time out and connected on all 14. He’s BC’s motor.  You stop him and you stop the Eagles. State will probably start with Lacey on him, but you could see Barber end up there by game’s end. I wouldn’t be surprised to see State face guard Hanlan like they did Paige (if Hanlan gets hot early). BC doesn’t have many more playmakers, so taking him out of the game would spell death for BC.

 

Related Topics:
1 Comment
Subscribe
Notify of
1 Comment
newest
oldest most Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
wolfpack74
wolfpack74
9 years ago

What the hell has happened?  Put the wagon back in the barn and burn the barn.

0

NC State Basketball

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

Published

5 hours ago

on

April 30, 2024

By

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.

Image

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.

 

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

ECU PF Ezra Ausar is Taking an Official Visit to NC State Today

Published

10 hours ago

on

April 30, 2024

By

East Carolina Power Forward Transfer Ezra Ausar (6’9″/240) will be taking an Official Visit to NC State starting today.

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 #57 overall player in the Portal and the #9 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)

Ausar has 2 years of eligibility remaining, and NC State currently has 1 scholarship remaining.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

PI EXCLUSIVE: Bowling Green Transfer Guard Marcus Hill Explains Why He Chose NC State

Published

14 hours ago

on

April 30, 2024

By

Last week, Bowling Green Transfer Guard Marcus Hill (6’4″/185) committed to NC State. I caught up with Hill to get his take on why he chose to run with the Wolfpack.

What were the reasons that ultimately led you to commit to NC State? What other schools were recruiting you besides the Wolfpack?

The coaching staff was very professional and straight to the point. They had a detailed plan of my role on the team and how it transitions to the next level. The campus was beautiful, and everyone was super nice. There were several schools from each of the Power 5 conferences that we talked to. The list was very long, and I would like to thank every coach that showed interest in me.

Break down your Official Visit. What did you do? What impression did it make on you and your family?

After entering the campus and meeting the entire coaching staff, we also met with academic advisors. School staff was super nice and acted like we were already family. We had lunch and dinner with staff, the restaurants were prepared, and the food was awesome. We toured the campus with staff, and were treated with a lot of respect. My family enjoyed the coaches and the campus environment.

How did Coach Keatts say you would fit within his offensive system?

Coach Keatts had prepared film on how I would fit into the offense, so after watching the video it was clearly understandable what my role would be.

What impression did NC State’s Final Four run have on you? How did it influence your decision?

NC State’s Final Four run impressed me due to the guys on the team being overlooked and undervalued. They played together and were really enjoying the moment. Basketball can be stressful, however they made it look exciting and fun.

What type of player is NC State getting in Marcus Hill?

Marcus Hill Jr., I’m a great person with a great attitude. I love to win and compete in everything I do. I take pride in defense, but can score from anywhere on the court. I’m unselfish and love to see my teammates succeed. I’ve been overlooked and underestimated, but My God has the ultimate say so!

_______

This past season, Hill averaged 20.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Falcons. He earned 1st Team All-MAC honors. Even though he was only at Bowling Green one season, he had one of the best seasons in school history, scoring 698 points, which ranks 5th all-time in program history for a single season.

For his first two years of collegiate ball, Hill played for Southern Union State College (JUCO) in Alabama. In 2022-23, Hill earned 3rd Team NJCAA All-American honors, and ranked as the #32 overall Junior College prospect.

247Sports ranks Hill as a 4-Star Transfer Prospect, and the #87 overall player in the Transfer Portal, and the #12 Shooting Guard.

Even though 247Sports and ON3 consider Hill a Shooting Guard, NC State is recruited him as a Point Guard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRh1suQzx08

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

Guard Jayden Taylor will Return to NC State for his Final Year

Published

1 day ago

on

April 29, 2024

By

Guard Jayden Taylor will be returning to NC State for his final season of eligibility.

At this point, I was expecting him to return, but now it is official.

This past season, Taylor averaged 11.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, shooting 46.5% from the field and 36.4% from three, which was a new career high by almost 4%.

Taylor started the first 24 games of the season, but after struggling in January, he became the Wolfpack’s 6th man. Taylor excelled as the 6th man, playing some of his best basketball of the season in that role, giving his team a much needed boost whenever he entered the game.

The return of Taylor was essential to NC State’s success next season. In a world where everyone seemingly hits the Portal, seeing Taylor, Pass, Middlebrooks, O’Connell and Rice not do so is a good sign (I know they still could).

Continue Reading