The Wolfpack return to another ACC season after going (21-12) in the 2017-18 season. This was a nice bump-up after their run of mediocre seasons that sat around (.500). This year the NC State team looks to get better with a mix of returners and transfers. Let’s see if this team has the potential to keep rising.
Returning Players:
NC State returns their guard in Markell Johnson who had decent numbers, but really served as a playmaker. Johnson is sure to increase his overall role in the team to improve on his numbers last year. Also, the Wolfpack return their forward in Torin Dorn. Dorn really served as a hybrid guard in a forward spot, however this certainly didn’t stop him from producing good numbers. Dorn averaged (13.9) points last year with (6.3) rebounds to add to it. Dorn and Johnson really combined to run the other parts of the court last season and will be expected to do the same this year. This is a great core for the Wolfpack to build another with their new transfers and I can’t wait to see what they produce on the offensive side of the ball.
Incoming Players:
The Wolfpack bring in five new transfers this season form all over. These five would be: Derek Funderburk (Northwest Florida State), Sacha Killeya-Jones (Kentucky), Eric Lockett (FIU), Wyatt Walker (Samford), and Blake Harris (Missouri). However, we will not be getting into full depth with them because we are more so talking about the new recruits. NC State brought in three 4-star recruit with Immanuel Bates, Ian Steere, and Jericole Hellems. These three all had their great share of the ball in High School were they proved to be viable pieces to their team. I can see Kevin Keatts easily working in this group to be his future key-core.
Key Games:
Dec. 1 at Wisconsin – This is the first road game on NC State’s schedule and it will be a tough one. Although Wisconsin didn’t have the season it wanted last year, this core of players has built up a chemistry that will carry on into this season.
Dec. 19 v. Auburn – This team had an amazing season last year with their (26-8) regular season run. This team looked ferocious during this stretch, but really fell off in the final parts, including the tournament. This is a team that returns a lot of great players and is looking to repeat on what they produced last year.
Jan. 8 v. UNC – I know that NC State really wants to get this one back after North Carolina smacked them last year. A home loss is nothing to be taken likely by any team and I am sure that NC State hasn’t forgotten what the Tarheels did to them. The Wolfpack will be seeking vengeance for this one.
Projected Season:
Record: 22-11
ACC Tournament: Quarterfinals
NCAA Tournament: One and Done
Photo Credits: https://www.backingthepack.com/nc-state-basketball/2017/12/25/16813634/nc-state-makes-history-really-improbable-history-in-blowout-win-over-jacksonville
