Let’s not beat around the bush. If NC State is going to turn things around this season, they’re going to need to hit a home run in the transfer portal.

They’ve already lost Cam Hayes, Jaylon Gibson, Thomas Allen, and Manny Bates to that very portal, but how much of an impact will that have? I mean, look, do you really need me to talk about how these are all good kids and say something nice about them before I tell the truth?

Oh it’s 2022, so yeah, you do. Ok, well then, these were all great kids that gave their all to NC State and we wish them the best going forward.

Ok, there. Now I’m allowed to tell the truth.

NC State won’t miss Hayes. There are a ton of kids in the portal that can give you what Hayes gave you. A 6’3 guard without elite athleticism, poor balance on drives, decent vision, and streaky shot. He averaged 7 points for his career and shot 30% from 3. He averaged 2.5 assists per game and shot 35.5% from the floor over his 2 years.

NC State won’t miss Thomas Allen. Same thing here. Allen was a borderline ACC player. He was quick, but he was small and not overly physical, plus he was a SG and didn’t really have the skill set to transition to PG. He was a pretty decent shooter, but didn’t shoot a high percentage when contested (and when you’re 6’1 in the ACC, almost every shot is contested). Allen averaged just about 4 points per game last season in 14 minutes per game. Again, replaceable.

Jaylon Gibson wasn’t an ACC caliber player, but he had ACC size. Ok great, again, you can find another Jaylon Gibson easily.

The only real loss for Keatts so far was Manny Bates. You aren’t replacing Bates’ ability to block shots, but you can certainly get a 10 point, 6 board big in the portal.

That being said. If the season started today, your lineup would be…

PG: Pass
SG: Smith
SF: Morsell
PF: Seabron
C: Ross/Dowuona

I’m going to go ahead and tell you that most people around the program think Seabron will go pro and Smith will play one more season here. If both hold true then, looking at that starting five, NC State has 3 extreme needs.

1) A veteran PG
2) A high-quality shooter on the wing
3) A physical center

If NC State gets those 3 things, they can compete.

Don’t believe me? Let’s break that down.

1. A Veteran Point Guard

I believe Breon Pass is going to be a very quality PG for NC State eventually. In fact, I think we start really seeing him bloom next season. But he’s not ready for full-time duties just yet. The Pack should target a super-senior or a grad transfer who can bring some experience to the position. In a perfect world, you’d get a taller PG who can score if needed and one that could slot in at the 2 to backup Smith as you groom Pass for the future. (With Dillingham de-committed, Pass is now the future at PG). We’ll keep updating options, but at the moment, this type of player, who is ACC ready, is scarce.

There aren’t many high-level PGs out there at the moment, and the ones that are don’t really seem to be great fits. Devin Carter from South Carolina has the size, but he’s a rising sophomore and shot just 24% from 3 last season. Andre Curbelo from Illinois is out there, but he’s a rising junior, 6’1 and shot 18% from 3 last season. Neither of these guys are going to be a huge upgrade from what State had/has.

Xavier Pinson (LSU)
Formally of Missouri and then LSU, Pinson is out there and he’s intriguing, but probably not in the mix. He’s 6’2, has absolutely elite-level quickness, is a great defender, and is a streaky scorer. He averaged 10 points and about 5 assists for LSU last season. He reminds me a lot of Lorenzo Brown, just thinner, but quicker. He also would be a 5th year senior. So he checks a lot of boxes, but major programs are all over him and from watching him over the past 4 years I am concerned about his body language and leadership abilities. Probably won’t matter because NC State has yet to reach out, so this one is very unlikely. If for some reason, State ends up with Pinson, then there’s no doubt its a big upgrade, however, there are better options even at this point, fit wise.

Terry Roberts (Bradley)
NC State has already reached out to Roberts but I think they should go all-in. He is a 6’3 guard from Bradley U. who is uber-quick, shoots it well, and is extremely crafty. He was a JUCO for 2 years before committing to Bradley. He has entered the portal because he wants more visibility, and rightfully so. Roberts averaged 14.5 points (35.5% from 3), 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in his first taste of NCAA basketball and he performed well in big stage games (he dropped 24 and 6 on #24 ranked Colorado State). Roberts is the best fit for NC State that is out there and IMO he’s the best PG that’s in the portal. Now, there are a lot of schools on him already but how many can give him ACC exposure and assurance of a starting role with major minutes? This would be a MASSIVE get for Keatts (he still has 2 years of eligibility) despite not having huge name recognition nationally. He’s so good, that I believe if he landed at NC State, and Smith stays, that they’d be a contender (even with their current roster). Unfortunately, there is no known prior connection between Roberts and NC State. (click here for the impressive highlight reel)

—BONUS NAME TO MONITOR—-

Jarkel Joyner (Ole Miss)
Joyner (6’1, 180lbs) will be a 5th year senior next season. He led Ole Miss in scoring with 13 PPG and averaged 2,1 assists per game (which would have been good for 2nd on team for NC State). He can handle, pass, score, he absorbs contact well and he shot 34% from 3 last year.

There’s just one problem. He’s not in the transfer portal.

But hear me out. Joyner is exactly what NC State is looking for and if he were to come available, this would be the best get outside of Roberts. Plus as we’ll explain, the current situation at Ole Miss seems to suggest Joyner may contemplate a move.

Meanwhile, unlike Roberts, Joyner now has an NC State connection. Levi Watkins was just hired away from Ole Miss to NC State. This came on the heels of Ronnie Hamilton, another Ole Miss assistant being hired from Ole Miss and heading to LSU. Ole Miss head coach Kermit Davis is on the hot seat after finishing 4-14 (2nd to last in the SEC). He has a rising sophomore PG star in Daeshun Ruffin (who averaged 12.6 ppg) and is going to hand him the reigns next season. Then there is rising junior SG Matthew Murrell, who made big improvements and averaged 12 last year and is on tap to be a big contributor next season.

So let’s recap. You have a flailing Ole Miss team that has now lost 2 assistants. You have a team ready to rebuild with 2 young star guards, and you have a 5th year senior not on any NBA Draft list likely looking to play another season in a prominent role, likely in a big conference. And it just so happens that one of those assistants who left (Watkins), just landed at an ACC school that is looking for a grad transfer PG who can play big minutes.

So will Joyner enter the portal? Who knows, but if he does, will his relationship with Levi Watkins end up playing a role? Will LSU jump in with Hamilton now in the mix there? Or will Joyner stay put and hope Kermit Davis decides to sit some of his young guys and let him play a prominent role again (despite the fact that this year, that didn’t end up working out so well.)

Anyways, this is a situation to keep your eye on.

There may be more to add as more guys enter their name into the portal. We’ll update as needed.

Stay tuned. Next week we’ll take a look at the potential shooters and bigs that may be on the Wolfpack’s radar…