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#3 Seed NC State Dominates #1 Seed Texas 76-66 to Advance to the Final Four for the 2nd Time in School History

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2 months ago

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With 1:23 left in the 1st Quarter, Senior Forward Mimi Collins hit a jumper, putting NC State up 13-12, giving the Wolfpack a lead they wouldn’t lose for the rest of the game.

#3 seed NC State dominated #1 seed Texas today, defeating the Longhorns 76-66, advancing to the Final Four for the 2nd time in school history. The only other time the Wolfpack have advanced to the Final Four was in 1998.

Junior Aziaha James continues to play like she’s from another planet. In the first half, James put the team on her back, scoring 21 of her 27 points before halftime. James was 5 of 5 from beyond the arc in the first half, and 7 of 9 for the game. In the past two games, James has averaged 28 points per game, shooting 54.8% from the field, and 71.4% from three. The fact that James just carved our her role as a starter this season is crazy to think about. She is establishing herself as one of the best players in college basketball.

The Wolfpack hit 9 three’s (James had 7), and the Longhorns only made 1 of 6 from deep.

It was the Aziaha James show in the 1st half, and it was Senior Center River Baldwin’s show in the 2nd, scoring all 16 of her points after halftime. She was 5 of 7 from the field, and 6 of 6 from the charity stripe.

The Wolfpack had 3 other players in double figures, with Junior Guard Saniya Rivers scoring 11, and Senior Forward Mimi Collins and Freshman Guard Zoe Brooks both had 10.

NC State will now face another #1 seed, and this time it will be against undefeated South Carolina (36-0) on Friday in the Final Four.

 

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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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1 day 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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2 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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2 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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3 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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