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NC State Basketball

NC State Nuggets Heading into Vegas Showdown

Published

6 months ago

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NC State will play their first game in the Vegas Showdown tonight against Vanderbilt at 10pm. Then tomorrow, they will play either Arizona State of BYU. Below are a few nuggets before the Wolfpack steps onto the hardwood tonight.

I know most teams have only played a handful of games, and NC State’s competition hasn’t been elite, but their defense has been superb.

  • The Wolfpack currently rank 2nd in the ACC in scoring defense (58.7), 4th in field goal percentage defense (38.0), 1st in Turnover Margin (+8.0), and 3rd in turnovers forced per game (15.7).
    • Side note…NC State currently ranks 1st in turnovers committed per game (7.7)
  • NC State has held their first three opponents to under 40% shooting from the field.
  • Last year, the Wolfpack led the ACC in forcing turnovers (13.21).

The Wolfpack’s offense isn’t one-dimensional, with different players rising to the occasion to contribute each night.

  • There has been a different leading scorer in each game.
    • D.J. Burns led the way in Game 1, with 16 points against The Citadel. Jayden Taylor had 22 points in Game 2 against Abilene Christian. Tonight, D.J. Horne led the Pack with 18 points.
  • Seven different players have scored in double figures.
    • D.J. Burns – 3x
    • D.J. Horne and Casey Morsell – 2x
    • Jayden Taylor, Michael O’Connell, Dennis Parker Jr. and Mohamed Diarra – 1x

D.J. Burns is putting the ball through the net at a clip that is noteworthy.

  • His field goal percentage of 74.1% ranks 2nd in the ACC.
  • He ranked 4th in field goal percentage last year (56.1)
  • Burns’ career field goal percentage at NC State is 57.3%, which ranks 3rd in school history behind D.J. Funderburk (57.7%) and Kevin Thompson 58.8%

Once again, NC State is taking care of the basketball under Kevin Keatts.

  • NC State currently ranks 3rd in the ACC in Assist/Turnover Ratio (1.96)
    • Point Guard Mike O’Connell ranks 1st in the conference in Assist/Turnover Ratio (6.5:1)
  • NC State currently ranks 1st in turnovers committed per game (7.7).
  • Last season, the Wolfpack led the ACC in Turnover Margin (3.79)
    • They also ranked 7th in the nation in Turnovers Committed (9.4).

 

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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

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

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3 days 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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4 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.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eway♻️🏂 (@thebiggesteworld3)

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

Published

4 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

Published

5 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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