Every game at NC State produces new narratives that mold the foundation of programs, for better or worse. Is it too early to reach a verdict, or is it time to panic? Let’s judge some of the biggest overreactions for the Wolfpack as the winter season gears up.
“NC State men’s basketball can recreate its March magic in 2024-25.”
DJ Burns and the Wolfpack captivated America’s hearts last spring with five wins in five days to win the ACC Tournament, followed by an unprecedented trip to the Final Four that kept the Memorial Bell Tower bright red. The remarkable stretch was NC State’s first ACC Championship since 1987 and its first appearance in the Final Four since the 1983 national championship.
Entering last March, head coach Kevin Keatts was believed to be on the hot seat, with the ACC Tournament being his final straw. Keatts silenced the noise with one of the greatest coaching campaigns in recent memory. The national spotlight makes expectations this year much higher than a bottom-half finish in the ACC a year ago would suggest.
Can NC State manifest that spring success this winter? Keatts will attempt to replace four of his top five scorers from a year ago.
It stands to reason that the backcourt will carry much of the load with the return of senior guard Jayden Taylor and graduate guard Michael O’Connell after each played more than 25 minutes per game in 2023. This leaves the frontcourt with the most questions, returning just two forwards who recorded a point last season.
Senior forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, a 2023-24 All-ACC Honorable Mention, comes to Raleigh having worn red and white elsewhere. He transferred from a Louisville squad that he led in blocks and rebounds and was second in scoring. Huntley-Hatfield will rotate with senior forward Ben Middlebrooks, whose role will increase after he averaged 16 minutes as a junior. Keatts also lured Huntley-Hatfield’s pick-and-roll partner from Louisville in redshirt junior guard Mike James, who brings productivity on both ends of the floor and elite free-throw prowess.
On Monday, Keatts tabbed Taylor, O’Connell, Middlebrooks, senior guard Marcus Hill and senior forward Dontrez Styles starters. Each scored at least eight points, led by Hill with 14 points on 70% shooting.
With just five preseason-ranked teams scheduled — two of which are in the ACC — Keatts could be staring at another progressive season. In order to carry the momentum forward, the Pack will be forced to find a balanced formula without a safety valve like Burns or Horne, striking a similar chord as the opener, which saw eight players score eight or more points.
To be clear, the expectation is not national championship contention. The title favorites can be counted on one hand. However, a successful season can look like 20-10 and an NCAA Tournament appearance, perhaps even the Sweet 16 if fate falls its way. This NC State team feels the weight of 2023 and can rise to the challenge in 2024.
Conclusion: Not an overreaction.
“Wes Moore will lead women’s basketball over the hump for first National Championship.”
On the other hand, Wolfpack women’s basketball should be considered among the handful of national championship contention. Head coach Wes Moore pilots an NC State team coming off its first Final Four appearance since 1998. Under Moore, the Pack made it to the NCAA Tournament eight times, earning a top seed twice. The women have finished in the AP top 10 five times since 2018.
Last season, senior guards Saniya Rivers and Aziaha James both earned All-ACC first-team honors, forming a menacing backcourt duo. Sophomore guard Zoe Brooks was also a part of the All-ACC Freshman first team after an electric rookie year. In addition, Raleigh welcomes a pair of highly touted freshmen in guards Zamareya Jones and Devyn Quigley, both top-50 recruits, according to ESPN.
Tuesday night, the women unveiled a Final Four banner of their own in Reynolds Coliseum before routing East Tennessee State 80-55 to open the year. The trio of Rivers, James and Brooks cemented their place on the front lines, combining for 49 points and 20 rebounds. Eight players logged double-digit minutes including Jones and Quigley who logged 15 and 13, respectively.
Moore’s uncertainty lies down low following the graduation of River Baldwin, who led last year’s team in rebounds and blocks, plus Mimi Collins, whose stats were close behind. Starting Tuesday was graduate center Lizzy Williamson, who played six minutes in the first half before sitting for the second. Sophomore center Mallory Collier played the most significant minutes in the post.
For this team, turnovers will be the most crucial aspect. When the Wolfpack plays elite teams, such as reigning national champion No. 1 South Carolina who it plays Sunday, winning the turnover battle will counteract whatever disadvantage is created size-wise. NC State won the battle against the Buccaneers 17-14, but how much of it was simply superior talent? James, a 5-foot-9 guard, was the game’s leading rebounder, a feat that will most likely not repeat itself often this year. The Bucs also only attempted two free throws compared to 15 for the home team. Sunday’s matchup with the Gamecocks will be a good measuring stick for a team with question marks.
Conclusion: Overreaction.
“A lack of offense caused a women’s soccer collapse.”
NC State women’s soccer concluded a 4-10-4 season with a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Wake Forest, marking the end of an ACC debacle. The Wolfpack won just one conference matchup after being ranked in September, scoring a meager five goals in 10 outings to cap a dead-last finish in ACC scoring.
“It’s a disappointment,” said head coach Tim Santoro. “We knew we were gonna have our work cut out for us coming into the season. We thought it’d be a little better than it’s been, especially the non-conference. We know we let some games get away in non-conference and I think that set up the psyche a little fragile going into conference.”
At its peak play, the Wolfpack could mask a goal shortage with precision defense and a mirage of offensive talent, outshooting opponents 116-73 in eight non-conference meetings. When the conference schedule began, however, the offense became a shell of itself with 74 shots in 10 games, seven of which numbered five or fewer. Couple the offensive shrinkage with 147 shots given up — including a 30-shot showing from Virginia — and the result is a dismal 1-6-3 ACC campaign.
Junior goalkeeper Olivia Pratapas was a bright spot for the team, finishing top-five in the ACC in save percentage in spite of the volume of shots sent her direction. The Louisville transfer will be a cornerstone for NC State in her senior year in Raleigh. Her emergence designates a glaring indication of fault elsewhere.
The Wolfpack was outshot in nine of 10 conference games and its record reflected that. Looking ahead, leading-scorer senior midfielder Annika Wohner — whose year was cut short due to season-ending appendix surgery — graduates in the spring, tallying another blow to a team needing a rebound after back-to-back losing seasons. Offensive production was the chief reason for a blunderous ACC showing and another abysmal season for women’s soccer.
Conclusion: Not an overreaction.
