Connect with us

NC State Basketball

Scouting the Competition: Wake Forest

Published

10 years ago

on

NC State Wolfpack vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
7pm | Raleigh, NC | ESPNU

NC State faces off against Wake Forest tonight at 7pm in a game that is huge for the Wolfpack. After escaping Miami with a 1 point win, Gottfried’s group sits at at 5-4 in the ACC.

First off, let’s take a step back and examine the season thus far. Coming in, most figured that NC State would be sitting close to the bottom of the conference after losing 4 of their starters from last season. Now past the midseason mark, State is looking to break through to the top half of the conference standings. You have to admit that this is a pretty remarkable feat for a team running out a group of guys that barely any experience in ACC play. Despite being young, this team has shown toughness, heart and the ability to grind out close games at home and on the road. However, the the true challenge still awaits. With a game against Wake tomorrow, and string of 3 consecutive road games, the Wolfpack can make or break their season over the next two weeks. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Here is the rundown on the Demon Deacons:

– Since we last saw Wake Forest they have lost 4 of their previous 6 games, falling to Clemson, Syracuse, GT and Duke. The Deacs are another team that has played above expectations so far this year, but lately have seemingly hit a wall. Wake has fallen to 4-6 in the conference and will be desprate for a win against the Pack. A loss here for Wake puts their backs against the wall for a NCAA Tournament berth (if they’re not already.)

– One reason for Wake’s recent struggles might be thanks to losing their leading scorer, Codi Miller-McIntyre, to a sprained ankle. He was lost early in the GT game and then did not play against Duke. Without CMM Wake really struggles. Reports are saying that he tested his ankle at practice on Sunday, but it’s still unclear if he will play Tuesday. If they have to play without him State will definitely have the advantage.

– The Deacs will be looking to go to Devin Thomas and Travis McKie (both averaging 11 ppg). While both are talented, both are bigs and NC State will likely pack in the zone and make Wake beat them from the outside. The lone scorer from the perimeter becomes Tyler Cavanaugh, who torched the Pack for 16pts last time out. However, without CMM getting into the lane and pressuring the defense, Cavanaugh becomes much easier to guard. He’s a spot shooter and isn’t very dangerous off the dribble. I expect Miller-McIntyre to at least try to play, but if he’s favoring his ankle he won’t be nearly as explosive off the dribble, which is his bread and butter.

– Last time out, Wake won a close one thanks to a 4 stride, double euro-step layup by Codi Miller-McIntyre (which the officials certainly missed).  The layup, however, was not the reason State lost. They lost because they could not stop Wake inside. Moto and Thomas combined for 31 points. Actually the stats in that one were pretty even outside of State’s abyssmal 3 point shooting. They only hit 15% from beyond the arc and shot 42% for the game (below their season average of 46%). If the Pack can limit Wake’s touches inside and continue their dominance on the boards from their last meeting, they should walk away with the W.

Related Topics:
Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

NC State Basketball

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

Published

4 days ago

on

May 15, 2024

By

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.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

Ernest Ross Announces He is Returning to NC State

Published

4 days ago

on

May 15, 2024

By

Power Forward Ernest Ross announced this morning that he is returning to NC State for his final year of eligibility.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eway♻️🏂 (@thebiggesteworld3)

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.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

A Matchup Between NC State & Marquette Next Season Might be in the Works

Published

4 days ago

on

May 15, 2024

By

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.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

NC State Men’s Basketball Will Play in the 2025 Maui Invitational

Published

5 days ago

on

May 14, 2024

By

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.

Continue Reading