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NC State Basketball

NC State Suffers 2nd Straight Historic Loss, Falling to UNC 113-96

Published

5 years ago

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Make that two historic losses in a row.

After the worst shooting performance in ACC history against Virginia Tech, NC State clapped back with an outpouring of 96 points against the Tar Heels in the Dean Dome last night. That’s the most points scored against UNC this year. The Wolfpack shot 50% from the field, 41.2% from beyond the arch (compared to UNC’s 38.1%) and only turned the ball over 11 times, compared to UNC’s 17.

NC State scored 72 more points last night than they did on Saturday against Virginia Tech. That might be a record, but that’s not the history I’m talking about.

On Saturday against Virginia Tech, the Wolfpack’s offense was historically bad. Last night, NC State’s defense was historically bad.

UNC scored 113 points.

  • The most points the Tar Heels have ever scored against the Wolfpack.
  • The 2nd most points ever scored against NC State.
  • The most points UNC has scored in regulation since 1968 (115 – Clemson).

NC State allowed UNC to shoot 56% from the field. A 6% differential doesn’t equal a 17 point loss (Let’s be real…it was worse than that. The Tar Heels were up by 28 at one point).

For one…the Wolfpack continued their foul happy ways, and allowed UNC to make 31 free throws (out of 37), compared to 15 made free throws of their own.

Two…Luke Maye might as well be a greek god when he plays against NC State, finishing with 31 points and 12 rebounds, becoming the only player in UNC history to score 30+ points against NC State three times in their career (MORE HISTORY).

Three…the Wolfpack’s transition defense was non-existent. UNC had 20 fast break points compared to NC State’s 6.

Four…UNC has playmakers, but they shared the ball beautifully, finishing the night with 26 assists.

In my opinion, the only two players in Red that looked liked they belonged on the court were Braxton Beverly and CJ Bryce. Beverly finished with a team-high 17 points (5-7 FG/4-5 3PT), and Bryce finished with 15 points (6-12 FG).

I know Kevin Keatts’ team plays harder than past NC State teams, but UNC played harder last night. They ran faster. They were on the ground for loose balls. They were more aggressive.

Here’s the truth: NC State was overrated coming out of Non-Conference play. Also, they have shown some grit in ACC play, but have been behind by double digits in the 2nd half in 7 of their 10 ACC games.

Here’s another truth: They showed against UNC and UVA at home that they are still capable of much better than they put on the court last night.

 

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Matthew is Publisher and Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He is also the Lead Pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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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

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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

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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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