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VIDEO: Kevin Keatts’ Presser After NC State Handled Wake Forest 94-74

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5 years ago

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NC State took care of business last night, defeating Wake Forest 94-74 at home. Wolfpack head coach Kevin Keatts talked with the media in his postgame press conference. The videos are below, and a bulleted breakdown is underneath.

  • It was a very good game for us overall. I’m very proud of our guys for that win.
    • In the locker room, we were talking about the nine guys that got in the game and all nine contributed to the win.
    • It was one of those games where we were able to get out in transition because we rebounded and shared the basketball.
    • We made shots.
    • We’ve played pretty well in the last three games where teams have zoned us.
    • It is better to have a week off with a win opposed to a loss. We have got to take a couple of days off, and then try to stay sharp for our next opponent in Florida State.
  • Markell Johnson was special tonight, especially in the 1st half.
    • When we were struggling to score, he rose up and made a bunch of shots. I thought he was really good.
    • He had a career-high for him in ACC play.
    • He was locked in.
    • The good side is that he is playing longer stretches.
    • He is probably still a little bit sore, but the tell-tale sign for me is that he can play a little bit longer. I kept in him in the first half because he was playing well, where I would normally try and get him a break somewhere in there. I think he is getting back.
    • Markell was special tonight and that was the difference in the game.
  • I thought Jerciole Hellems came in and did a tremendous job.
    • Obviously the same with him, a career-high 14 points in ACC play.
    • I thought he was aggressive, was good at running in transition, and played great defense.
    • He is a guy that will continue to get better.
    • I showed him all of his turnovers and told him if he keeps turning the ball over, he is not going to play.
    • Freshmen hit the wall and go through peaks and valleys. He is no different than anyone else, but I think he is back playing good basketball now.
  • Torin Dorn has been steady. He had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
  • I brought TJ Warren into the locker room and told these guys what a special night this was. We talked before the game about TJ getting his jersey lifted into the rafters.
    • I am proud of TJ. I obviously didn’t get to coach him, but I remember his days at Brewster, where he was a tremendous player.
    • When you look at TJ Warren, he wasn’t a top-10 player coming out of high school. He is a self-made guy.
    • When TJ comes back into town every time he gets a break, and I look out at the Dail Center, it’s TJ Warren. He loves to play.
    • You never hear about him having any problems off the court.
    • I told our guys “If you want to be like anybody, be like TJ Warren, because he is a special kid.”
    • I’m excited we could win on the night he is getting his jersey lifted.
  • I love our bench. They have worked hard in practice.
    • We are only dressing nine guys.
    • The message to our team is that we want them to play as hard as you can for as long as you can. Then if you get your hand up, we will get you a break.
  • I’m excited to see Blake play because he is finally getting healthy and is getting back in the rotation.
    • He can definitely help us, especially on the defensive end.

 

 

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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

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

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9 hours 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.

 

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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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NC State Basketball

ECU Transfer Forward Ezra Ausar to NC State is Trending Up

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21 hours 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 Basketball

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

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22 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 Basketball

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

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1 day 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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