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Highlights and Recap: NC State takes out Pitt in ACC Tournament, Duke up next

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4 years ago

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NC State came into the game squarely on the bubble (according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi) and needing a win over Pitt in their ACC Tournament opener.

Thanks to one of their best overall team performances of they got it.

Devon Daniels was locked in from start to finish, leading all scorers with 23 points and chipping in 6 rebounds. He shot 9-14 and only turned the ball over once. It’s safe to say that Daniel, who was once a guy that couldn’t really find his role on this team, has become one of their most important pieces. His hustle and physicality has helped give this ballclub an identity and has been a big part of their late-season surge.

Before we move one, I think we need to credit Kevin Keatts here. Keatts took a lot of heat earlier this season with those Carolina losses and the team underperforming at times. But credit where it’s due, people. Devon Daniels on earlier State teams may have never come around. In fact, high confidence players who have struggled to fit into State’s systems in the past have usually been the ones that ended up dividing up the locker room and putting the season in a tailspin. These are the intangibles that people are missing with Keatts. He runs a tight ship and it’s really his way or the highway. Daniels ended up buying in and NC State is now a potential tournament team because of it.

NC State also got great performances from Funderburk who pitched in 10 and 7, Beverly who scored 10 of his own, and Bryce, who started slow but finished strong with 13 points and 10 boards. Oh, and let’s not forget Markell Johnson, who looked very comfortable against Pitt. While I know we all love when Johnson gets hot and starts scoring, its seems he would much rather his teammates take on that role and he finish with a line like yesterday (7 points, 11 assists.

Another great sign was to see NC State really look comfortable against a 2-3 zone. The 3s weren’t falling (25%) so they made a concerted effort to get the ball in the middle and down on the blocks. This led to them shooting an amazing 47.5% from the field.

Next up is Duke who certainly will sprinkle in a good deal of zone (today at 2:30 pm). With a win the Wolfpack are dancing. A loss and they have to wait for the committee to decide.

*Games will be played today with no fans in attendance due to COVID-19.

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NC State Basketball

NC State is Adding UMASS’ Brett Nelson as an Assistant Coach

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1 day ago

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May 15, 2024

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According to reports, NC State is adding UMASS’ Brett Nelson as an Assistant Coach.

Nelson was only at UMASS for 1 season under Frank Martin. Prior to that, Nelson was the Head Coach at Holy Cross for 4 seasons, posting a 27-84 record.

Prior to taking the Head Coaching mantle at Holy Cross, Nelson was at Marquette for 5 seasons, spending the first 3 as an Assistant Coach, and the final two as an Associate Head Coach. Prior to Marquette, Nelson also served as an Assistant Coach at Ball St., Drake, Arkansas and Marshall.

Before coaching basketball, Nelson played for the University of Florida from 1999-2003. He was All-SEC twice, and earned Third Team All-American honors. When he left Gainesville, he was the Gators’ all-time leader in three pointers made, and ranked 2nd in steals.

As a Senior in High School, Nelson was a McDonald’s All-American.

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NC State Basketball

Ernest Ross Announces He is Returning to NC State

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2 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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Power Forward Ernest Ross announced this morning that he is returning to NC State for his final year of eligibility.

 

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Last Friday, Ross committed to UTSA after entering the Transfer Portal on April 17th, but it looks like he had a change of heart over the past couple of days.

NC State has been in desperate need to add a Big out of the Portal. They have hosted ECU’s Ezra Ausar and Georgia’s Frank Anselem-Ibe, but neither of them have found a home yet. With the addition of Ross, NC State has added depth in the Frontcourt, and unless something changes, their roster is full with 13 scholarship players.

Ross played in 14 games this past season, averaging 3.4 minutes per contest. After playing in 34 games last season, averaging 11.4 minutes per contest, Ross saw his participation dip to a career low this season, but that didn’t for a second break his infectious personality. On the sideline, you could count on Ross every single game to be the heart and soul of the Wolfpack on the bench. To watch a player who played as little as he did, care as much as he did, makes me super proud that this young man represented NC State so well.

Ross was a consensus 4-star player in NC State’s 2021 recruiting class, with 247Sports ranking him as the #60 overall player nationally. ESPN ranked him as the #5 overall player in the state of Florida.

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NC State Basketball

A Matchup Between NC State & Marquette Next Season Might be in the Works

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2 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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According to NCAA.com’s Andy Katz, a matchup between NC State and Marquette next season might be in the works.

This past year, the Wolfpack defeated the Golden Eagles 67-58 in the Sweet 16 of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

NC State and Marquette have played one another 6 times overall, with the Wolfpack holding a 4-2 lead in the series, winning the past two matchups.

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NC State Basketball

NC State Men’s Basketball Will Play in the 2025 Maui Invitational

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3 days ago

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May 14, 2024

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The NC State Men’s Basketball Team will be playing in the 2025 Maui Invitational, on November 24-26 in Hawaii. This will mark the first time that NC State has ever played in the Maui Invitational.

NC State will be joined by Baylor, Oregon, Seton Hall, Texas, UNLV, USC and Chaminade.

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