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NC State will need to play with precision on the offensive end as the Tigers boast a strong defensive mindset. Clemson has held opponents under 42% shooting from the field thus far on the season which is tough sledding. To make matters worse for the Pack, the Tigers have done a great job of protecting the three point line; teams have only converted 34% from beyond the arc.

Offensively, Jaron Blossomgame is the unquestioned go to guy. The redshirt junior is averaging 17.5 points per contest and 7.1 rebounds. He is a handful at 6-7, 220 pounds, and has the ability to beat his defender off the bounce. NC State will have its’ hands full to say the least. Blossomgame is at his best when he is going to the rack, he has elite lift and is no stranger to finishing over the top.

After Blossomgame, the Tigers have two players averaging 10 points a piece. Guard Avry Holmes and  forward Donte Grantham are both solid complimentary players to Blossomgame. Grantham is a difficult player to gauge as he is 6-8 but loves to settle for jump shots, he is young but seems to be at his best when he attacks the cup early. Neither one of these two are efficient as they are both shooting sub 39% on the season.

NC State is the underdog according to Vegas, but I cannot help but think that State can pull the upset. I expect an ugly game, Clemson doesn’t make their living on the offensive end, they instead dig in defensively and make just enough plays offensively to pull it out. Blossomgame is a great talent and to be honest, the only Tiger player I respect on offense. If State can take away Blossomgame by contesting every shot and keeping him out of the paint they have a shot.

Offensively, the Pack must get into the open court to get easy baskets early in the shot clock. It is no secret they have struggled the longer they have held on to the ball, at this point in the year that is not changing. Cat Barber will look to rebound from a rough outing in Charlottesville this past Monday. State played a great first half, but great first halves followed by tragic second halves do not have a positive effect on the win/loss column. 40 minutes is what it will take come 3PM. The game can be seen on ESPN3.

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NC State Basketball

NC State Signee Zamareya Jones Showed Out in the McDonald’s & Jordan All-American Games

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May 1, 2024

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NC State 2024 signee Zamareya Jones has played in the McDonald’s All-American game and the Jordan Brand Classic over the past month.

In the McDonald’s game on April 2nd, Jones had 13 points, helping her East squad defeat the West.

 

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In the Jordan Brand Classic on April 21st, Jones had 15 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. She also hit the game winner for Team Flight.

Jones is a 5-star prospect in the Wolfpack’s 2024 recruiting class, ranked 21st overall nationally by ESPN.

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NC State Basketball

NC State’s Kevin Keatts and DJ Burns Sounded the Siren at the Canes Game Tonight

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10 hours ago

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April 30, 2024

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NC State Head Coach Kevin Keatts and the beloved DJ Burns were both Siren Sounders for the Canes this evening, with Carolina defeating the Islanders 6-3, winning the Round 1 series 4-1.

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NC State Basketball

USC Transfer Power Forward Brandon Gardner Includes NC State In Top 6

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18 hours ago

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April 30, 2024

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USC Power Forward Brandon Gardner (6’8″/215) listed NC State in his Top-6 along with Jacksonville, San Francisco, Arizona St., Texas A&M and Arizona.

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Gardner was a 4-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, with Rivals ranking him as the #74 overall player nationally, and ESPN ranking him as the #2 player in the state of New York (Christ the King, New York City). He is originally from Waynesboro, Georgia. Prior to playing for Christ the King, Gardner played for Word of God Academy, so Raleigh is familiar to him.

Kevin Keatts and his NC State Coaching Staff offered Gardner when he was in high school.

Prior to committing to USC, Gardner was committed to St. John’s.

This past season Gardner only played in 4 minutes in 1 game for the Trojans, making it a redshirt season.

Gardner will have 4 years of eligibility wherever he lands.

 

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NC State Basketball

ECU PF Ezra Ausar is Taking an Official Visit to NC State Today

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23 hours ago

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April 30, 2024

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East Carolina Power Forward Transfer Ezra Ausar (6’9″/240) will be taking an Official Visit to NC State starting today.

Ausar just wrapped up his Sophomore season in Greenville, averaging 11.4 points and 4.7 rebounds, shooting 51.4% from the field. As a Freshman, he was named to the AAC All-Freshman Team, averaging 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds.

Ausar is a consensus 4-Star prospect in the Transfer Portal, and ON3 ranks him as the #57 overall player in the Portal and the #9 Power Forward.

Originally from Atlanta, Ausar played his Senior Season of High School at Liberty Heights Athletic Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina. ON3 ranked Ausar as a 4-Star prospect coming out of high school, the #94 overall player nationally, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina.

Ausar has visited Seton Hall, Georgia Tech, met over Zoom with Georgetown, and had an in-home visit with Utah. John Calipari and his staff at Arkansas have been in touch with Ausar, as well as Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Arizona State, West Virginia, Iowa State and St. John’s. (Link)

Ausar has 2 years of eligibility remaining, and NC State currently has 1 scholarship remaining.

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