In Kevin Keatt’s weekly press conference yesterday, and while he celebrated the return of Jack Clark, he did state that he’s “not even sure he’s [Dusan Mahorcic] going to return this year.”
Keatt’s said it’s probably “50-50” at this point.
Keatts: "I certainly hope it happens for him but he's probably 50-50 at this point."
Mahorcic suffered a dislocated knee cap in the Wolfpack’s game against Coppin State in Reynolds Coliseum on December 6th.
Keatts did say that that they haven’t applied for a medical waiver for Mahorcic, which would give him an extra year eligibility next year. The reason being, they are still holding out that he might be able to join the Pack at some point.
Considering the fact that Mahorcic is out of eligibility after this season, it would be a big deal for him and the Pack next season if he were granted a medical waiver if he doesn’t return this season.
If Dusan can get a medical redshirt, and everyone besides Smith comes back who could come back – happens more often on winning teams, but who knows (?) – then we’ll be very strong at the 3-4-5. We’ll just need guards while the incoming freshmen learn.
LJ is really coming along, maybe he takes the SG?
If so, we’ll still need to find a PG in the portal.
Dof87
1 year ago
I think its pretty clear his return is unlikely. Really hope he can return for one more try.
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.
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.
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.
Me: Were you nervous?
Kevin Keatts: No! I just won nine elimination games in the NCAA Tournament!
If Dusan can get a medical redshirt, and everyone besides Smith comes back who could come back – happens more often on winning teams, but who knows (?) – then we’ll be very strong at the 3-4-5. We’ll just need guards while the incoming freshmen learn.
LJ is really coming along, maybe he takes the SG?
If so, we’ll still need to find a PG in the portal.
I think its pretty clear his return is unlikely. Really hope he can return for one more try.