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NC State’s DJ Horne Comes off the Bench to Score Season High After Being 30 Seconds Late to Film

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For the first time this season, Senior Guard DJ Horne didn’t start for NC State this afternoon against Louisville, but he managed to come off the bench to lead the Wolfpack in scoring with 27 points, marking a season high for the veteran.

In fact, 27 points is the 2nd most points Horne has ever scored in a single game. Back in 2021, Horne scored 34 points as a member of Illinois State.

Senior Michael O’Connell started instead of Horne, and played well, with 11 points of his own, and a team high 6 assists. For what it’s worth, NC State was +13 with O’Connell in the game, which led the team.

Horne wasn’t removed from the starting lineup because he shot 2-16 against UNC. He is the Wolfpack’s leading scorer this season.

No, Kevin Keatts didn’t start Horne because he was 30 seconds late to a film session.

Keatts had this to say in his postgame press conference:

“We have accountability in this program. D.J. Horne was 30 seconds late to film. Thirty seconds, I want you to know that. Everybody is held to a higher standard. He responded. He could have pouted, but he came out and played really well.”

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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wolfpack74
wolfpack74
4 months ago

I heard Rice is looking to go somewhere else if his playing time doesn’t improve. What a waste of talent if that happens and it’s all on you KKIAL.

wolfpack74
wolfpack74
4 months ago

Everybody is held to a higher standard, except for the coaching staff. We are priveledged and get a lot of money to be mediocre.

NCSUMets
NCSUMets
4 months ago

And here I was thinking it was a great move by Keatts to reward O’Connell for his strong play.

I was really annoyed when O’Connell didn’t start the 2nd half and then Louisville ran amok the first four minutes after intermission.

It was a tough final 2 minutes for O’Connell but he’s earned more PT.

JBT
JBT
4 months ago
Reply to  NCSUMets

Same. I was thinking Keatts noticed that O’Connell is an actual PG and isn’t always looking to shoot. As a team, they play so much better when he’s in there. I was pissed at the start of the 2nd half too.

wolfpack74
wolfpack74
4 months ago
Reply to  NCSUMets

He is detrimental on defense. Almost cost us the game in Louisville. So if and when he has one good game doesn’t make him a real asset.

wolfpack74
wolfpack74
4 months ago
Reply to  NCSUMets

Here are you actual words in a comment earlier, “Much like there are matchups where O’Connell shouldn’t be on the floor”. Care to explain or just agree that he is detrlment most of the time.

NC State Basketball

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

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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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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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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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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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