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NC State takes on Nebraska tonight in ACC – Big Ten Challenge | Game Preview and How to Watch

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2 years ago

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NC State Wolfpack vs Nebraska
ACC – Big Ten Challange
Time: 7:15pm
Location: Raleigh, NC
TV: ESPNU
Line: NC State -6

Preview of The Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska comes in at 5-2 on the season with losses to Western Illinois and Creighton. They haven’t beaten anyone of any significance to this point and are ranked 100th overall by Ken Pom (NC state ranks 60th).

The Huskers are led by 6’7 freshman guard, Bryce McGowans. He’s leading them in points (17.7) and rebounds (6.9). He also is averaging 2 assists per game and shooting 47% from the field (but only 28% from 3). He’s been having a lot of success early in the season, but a lot of that comes from the fact that he’s faced big-time mismatches against smaller teams. Against NC State he’ll likely be up against another 6’7 guard in Dereon Seabron, which will certainly make things tougher for him. You can get a feel for his game with this video from earlier in the season…

McGowans is streaky from deep, but also is known to take some bad shots. He’s shooting, as we said, 28% from downtown. Most of his damage is done on the drive, where honestly, he’s really good. He has great body control and can change direction well for his size. He uses his spin move a lot, and is deceptive with his footwork. He really is a lot like Dereon Seabron, so it’ll be interesting to see how that matchup plays out.

After McGowans, the Huskers have 6’1 senior guard Alonzo Verge Jr, who is a decent scorer himself but also doesn’t shoot well from outside. He’s averaging 13 points, 5 boards and 6 assists per game.

Then there’s their big, 6’9, 235lb junior, Derrick Walker. He’s a decent big, who is kind of a tweener. He’s not a power big, and he’s not versatile enough to spread the floor, but he gets the job done for them. He’s averaging 10 points and 5 boards per game and shooting over 80% from the floor (he doesn’t shoot much). He’s also not a great shot blocker.

Overall, NC State matches up really well with Nebraska. The Huskers don’t shoot the 3 well and they don’t have a dominant big. Those are the 2 things NC State struggles with. The Pack should be able to clamp down and sink a little to make things tough on Verge Jr and McGowans and to limit space for Walker. This may open up some 3 point shots, but Nebraksa shoots it at a 28% clip, so that might not be such a bad thing.

Keys for the Wolfpack

  • Lockdown McGowans. If he isn’t scoring, the Huskers don’t have many backup options.
  • Give help down low on Walker. Don’t let Nebraska spread it out and attack Dowuona.
  • Hellems needs to stay hot. When Hellems is on, NC State can put up points fast.
  • Allow Seabron to attack McGowans. Putting pressure on the freshman is key. He hasn’t faced a guard as versatile and big as Seabron.

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NC State Basketball

ECU Transfer Forward Ezra Ausar to NC State is Trending Up

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3 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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4 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’s Kevin Keatts and DJ Burns Sounded the Siren at the Canes Game Tonight

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

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22 hours ago

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April 30, 2024

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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.

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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.

 

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