Connect with us

NC State Basketball

Previewing NC State’s Opponent: Maryland Eastern Shore

Published

5 years ago

on

We were asked the question recently on why we waste time previewing these early season games against teams like Maryland Easter Shore. The answer is simple and comes in two parts.

1) We want to provide the most in-depth NC State basketball coverage on the internet, and this is part of doing that.

and…

2) We want to help cater to the informed Wolfpack fan. For instance, if you are reading this article, you likely aren’t worried about Maryland Eastern Shore’s ability to beat the Wolfpack, but you might be interested in what this team has done this season, what style of play they’ll bring to the table and what positions their strongest players play. This information isn’t all that important for THIS game alone, but it is important to learn how this NC State team reacts to different styles of play or different types of players. It can help to be a future data point when predicting larger, more meaningful games.

So now that is out the way, let’s move onto the preview.

Haven’t heard much about Maryland Eastern Shore? Don’t feel bad, when a team goes  3-13 season in the MEAC Conference it tends to not do much for your brand. However, this is a new season for the Hawks and they have a few more pieces this year that they hope can help them turn things around.

Maryland Eastern Shore has three guys to really watch out for this season.

Tyler Jones (6’7, junior, F)
Jones was the leader of last years’ 3-13 squad. The then-sophomore led all scorers at 12 points per game and added 5 rebounds. Jones wants to be that versatile wing, but honestly, it seems when he gets too far away from the hoop he doesnt’ have the ability to make the defense respect him out there. Last season he shot 92 3s and only connected on 22 of those (24%).  This season, he’s back, but he may be taking a back seat to a couple underclassmen who actually had pretty decent games against Georgetown in their season-opening loss. Meanwhile, Jones only finished with 2 points in that one.

AJ Cheeseman (6’6, sophomore, F)
Cheeseman is a sophomore transfer from UNO. During his freshman season he actually only played 4 minutes per game and didn’t do very much. So why is he a guy we’re keying on in this matchup? Well, he did open up the season by dropping 19 points on Georgetown. Again, this is not a guy who is going to beat you from the outside, but he does have some ability to score it from 15 feet and in.

Brian Urrutia (6’1, junior, G)
Urrutia is playing his first season at UMES, but he’s no rookie. The junior guard is coming in from Cochise Junior College (one of the best JUCOs in the southwest) where he averaged 12 points and 8 assists per game. He’s not really known as a big-time scorer, but he did put up 13 in his D-1 debut against Georgetown. He’s a creator who gets in the lane and makes things happen. For the Wolfpack, keeping him in front is going to be the key to making sure he doesn’t create havoc.

Aside from these 3 guys, the Hawks really don’t have any true weapons, but don’t sleep on them. In their season-opener at Georgetown, UMES only lost by 15 and forced the Hoyas into 19 turnovers. This game will likely be played at a very fast pace and should play right into the Wolfpack’s wheelhouse.

 

Related Topics:
Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

NC State Basketball

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

Published

2 hours ago

on

May 1, 2024

By

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.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

ECU Transfer Forward Ezra Ausar to NC State is Trending Up

Published

14 hours ago

on

May 1, 2024

By

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.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

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

Published

15 hours ago

on

May 1, 2024

By

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.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SportsCenter NEXT (@sportscenternext)

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.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

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

Published

1 day ago

on

April 30, 2024

By

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.

Continue Reading