Connect with us

This past off-season Freeman had to undergo surgery to repair a fracture in his lower right leg, it required an 18 inch metal rod to be inserted to stabilize the fracture. The healing time was around 3-4 months which caused Freeman to miss summer workouts and conditioning. This put Freeman behind the eight ball so to speak, but recently he is starting to look more comfortable and fluid on the court.

Coach Gottfried and NC State needs Freeman to play at a high level this season, especially given the lack of depth in the front court. To start the season it was apparent that something was holding Lennard back as he looked a step slow and unsure of himself; however, in the last game he looked to be turning the corner as he registered 13 rebounds and 10 points. He was also decisive on the defensive side of the ball as he directed the guards and helped navigate screens for his teammates. One area that was dramatically improved was his foul shooting as he connected on 4 of his 6 attempts. He looked more confident in general as he displayed good form and arc on his shot.

Look for Freeman to improve as he continues to ramp up his stamina and gains more confidence through playing. He is a vital part to what NC State wants to do both offensively and defensively. Freeman may not average many points, but he does little things well that help the Pack operator effectively by setting good screens and being in the correct spots.

If Lennard can continue to rebound at a high rate and capitalize on a few post ups, then NC State should be in the hunt for the NCAA Tournament come March. It is easy to see that Freeman’s best basketball is ahead of him, which is great news for NC State as well as NC State fans.

Related Topics:
6 Comments
Subscribe
Notify of
6 Comments
newest
oldest most Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Earl
Earl
13 years ago

All the smiling by the unc players were like daggers to my heart. I never want to feel that bad again.

0
wolfpack74
wolfpack74
8 years ago

packman70  You guys make me laugh. These articles have no substance.  Anya, Freeman, and Abu have been big disappointments this year.  I don’t see how anyone could say something different.   I have pulled for this team for 45 years and yes I expect perfection.  Sweet sixteens are dime a dozen.  Remember there are sixteen of those each year.  Make some real improvement by going to the final four for a change. Of the McD all Americans, only 1 will make it in the Pros (TJ) and only Barber has stayed with the team.  You can’t really say that you are satisfied… Read more »

0
packman70
packman70
8 years ago

I’m wolfpack74, arrrgh. I just rip “my” team if I think they can’t win a championship, arrrgh! What’s the point of rooting for a team to improve and compete??? Arrgh! Gottfried sucks! 4 straight tourneys and 2 sweet 16s , SO WHAT?!?! We didn’t win anything! Arrgh! I’m a better fan because I demand championships every year! You guys wanna give trophies to losers! Arrgh!
Keep fighting the good fight, as per the performance of college kids. Really, you’re doing the Lord’s work here.

0
wolfpack74
wolfpack74
8 years ago

I lived thru two national championship seasons.  I can guarantee you that this team couldn’t carry the water for those other teams.  Keep drinking the cool-aid and believing these bull$hit articles like this one.  If you hurry, Tyler has a drink for you.

0
Wolfpck741
Wolfpck741
8 years ago

We could win a national championship game by 40 points and you would still find something to bitch about wolfpack74

0
wolfpack74
wolfpack74
8 years ago

What a bunch of crap.  He hasn’t hit a shot further than four feet from the basket.  Wow, what improvement.  No doubt he is a good kid and a hard worker,  but we need nasty mean basketball players with a lot more polish.

0

NC State Basketball

The Roster for the NC State Men’s Basketball Team is all but Set Heading into 2024-25

Published

21 hours ago

on

May 3, 2024

By

NC State does have 1 scholarship available, and could still add a player out of the Transfer Portal. With that being said, the roster for the Men’s Basketball team is pretty much set for the 2024-25 season.

Non-graduates had to enter the Transfer Portal by April 30th, and Graduates had to enter by May 1st. Jayden Taylor and Michael O’Connell both made public announcements that they were returning, but the closure of entrance to the Portal means that Breon Pass, Ben Middlebrooks, Dennis Parker Jr. and MJ Rice are all set to return next season.

In a world where the Transfer Portal has all but become free agency in College Basketball, with some players switching schools on an annual basis, it’s encouraging that Kevin Keatts not only recruited a Top-10 Transfer Class, but also recruited a majority of the eligible players to stay. Three players that could transfer entered the Portal (I’m not counting Mohamed Diarra in these numbers, who opted to go pro), while 6 opted to continue running with the Wolfpack.

As a result, below is a breakdown of the roster for the NC State Men’s Basketball team heading into 2024-25, realizing the Wolfpack could still add one player (this team is deep).

1 year of Eligibility 

Guard Michael O’Connell
Guard Marcus Hill
Guard Breon Pass
Guard/Forward Jayden Taylor
Forward/Guard Dontrez Styles
Forward Ben Middlebrooks
Center Brandon Huntley-Hatfield

2 Years of Eligibility

Guard/Forward MJ Rice
Guard Mike James
Guard Jordan Snell (Walk-On)
Guard KJ Keatts (Walk-On)

3 Years of Eligibility 

Guard/Forward Dennis Parker Jr.

4 Years of Eligibility 

Guard Paul McNeil
Guard Trey Parker

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

NC State’s Men’s Basketball 2024 Transfer Class Ranks in the Top-10 Nationally

Published

2 days ago

on

May 2, 2024

By

NC State’s Men’s Basketball team has picked up 4 players from the Transfer Portal this offseason, and the class ranks 10th nationally according to ON3, and 15th nationally according to 247Sports.

ON3

247Sports

NC State’s 2024 4-Man Transfer Class

Center Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (Louisville)

Guard/Forward Dontez Styles (Georgetown)

Guard Mike James (Louisville)

Guard Marcus Hill (Bowling Green)

NC State still has a chance to move up in the rankings. East Carolina Power Forward Ezra Ausar just wrapped up an Official Visit to NC State, and things are looking good for the Wolfpack. ON3 ranks Ausar as the #67 overall player in the Portal, and the #15 Power Forward.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

WATCH: Andy Katz’s Offseason Convo with NC State’s Kevin Keatts

Published

2 days ago

on

May 2, 2024

By

Andy Katz is beginning to make his rounds for his Offseason Convo series, and he took the time to meet with NC State Head Coach Kevin Keatts.

In their conversation, Keatts talked about what this run has meant to Raleigh and the Wolfpack fans, how it has helped sell the program the way it deserves to be in recruiting, and even how it helped and hurt in the world of the Transfer Portal.

Check out the conversation below:

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

Guard Mike O’Connell Announces He Will Play His Final Year of Eligibility at NC State

Published

2 days ago

on

May 1, 2024

By

Guard Michael O’Connell announced today that he will be playing his final year of eligibility at NC State next season.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Michael O’Connell (@michaeloc_12)

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.

Continue Reading