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Previewing NC State’s Opponent: Virginia

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4 months ago

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NC State (13-5/5-2) will attempt to be the first team to beat Virginia (13-5/4-3) on their home court tonight. Currently, the Cavaliers are 10-0 in John Paul Jones Arena this season.

The Wolfpack are 4-5 against UVA under Kevin Keatts, winning 2 out of their 4 opportunities in Charlottesville under his watch. Even though NC State lost their last game at Virginia on February 7th, 2023, the Wolfpack won the two prior games in Charlottesville.

Since NC State defeated the Cavaliers 76-60 at home on January 6th, UVA has gone 1-2, winning their last two games. After losing to Wake Forest 66-47 on the road, Virginia has won back-to-back games against Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech (away game).

A win over UVA tonight would be a Quad 1 win, which would be significant for the Wolfpack’s NCAA Tournament resume. Currently, NC State is 0-4 in Quad 1 games this season.

Senior Guard Reece Beekman continues to lead the Cavs in scoring, assists and steals, averaging 13.2 points, 6.1 assists and 2.2 steals. Beekman is the ACC leader in assists. Over the past two games, Beekman has averaged 17.5 points, scoring 19 against Georgia Tech his last time out.

Sophomore Guard Isaac McKneely was the Cavs leading scorer when they played NC State earlier this month, scoring 18 points, while making 4 three pointers. He has a hot hand right now, scoring 20 points against the Yellow Jackets his last time out, making six three-pointers. McKneely is averaging 11.9 points per game, and is shooting 48.9% from beyond the arc, which leads the conference.

Sophomore Ryan Dunn (6’8″) leads UVA in rebounding, pulling down 6.8 per game.

Per usual, UVA leads the ACC in scoring defense, allowing only 58.2 points per game. They led the ACC in this category heading into their first game against the Wolfpack, but allowed NC State to score 76 in the loss. With that being said, they are even a little stingier at home, allowing only 57.3 points per game at home in their 3 ACC games.

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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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3 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.

 

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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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3 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

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4 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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