With a new season comes new faces and fresh lineups. Many of last season’s stars from March Madness have departed for professional basketball, although graduate guard Michael O’Connell and senior guard Jayden Taylor remain in Raleigh as starters, while senior forward Ben Middlebrooks is a key role player.
Until redshirt junior guard Mike James returns, the Wolfpack’s starting five appears set. Along with O’Connell and Taylor in the backcourt, the Pack has a trio of transfers starting. Senior guard Marcus Hill, senior guard and forward Dontrez Styles and senior forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield.
Thus far, O’Connell appears to be the Wolfpack’s best player. Leading the Wolfpack in minutes, O’Connell is the stabilizing force for the red-and-white, elevating everyone around him when he’s running the offense. Through two games, the Wolfpack is +44 when O’Connell is on the floor but -4 without him. The March Madness star leads the Wolfpack in both assists and 3’s and may very well be the team’s most impactful player this year.
Without a clear primary scoring option to open the season, Taylor is taking on more of a scorer’s role than last year. Leading the team in shots and points per game, the former Butler transfer enjoyed his first big game of the season against Presbyterian. Against the Blue Hose, Taylor turned in 19 points on an efficient 7-14 shooting. One thing to monitor with Taylor is that he’s been efficient inside the arc, but shooting just 25% from deep. To truly evolve into a top-scoring option, Taylor will need to improve his efficiency from beyond the arc.
The Pack’s final starting guard, Hill, is also looking to establish his presence as a scorer. Against USC-Upstate, Hill rattled off eight quick points early in the second half. Best when driving into the paint or attacking in transition, Hill might not be a consistent option in the halfcourt but has the potential to score buckets in bunches. However, the Bowling Green transfer is not much of a threat from deep, shooting 0-2 from 3 through the team’s first two games.
Moving to the four, Styles appears to be solidified as a starter this season. After playing at North Carolina and Georgetown, the Kinston native finally has the opportunity to break out with the Wolfpack. With a versatile, two-way skillset, Styles showed the ability to be an explosive scorer in the first halves of both games thus far. With the athleticism to drive and the shooting ability to space the floor, Styles has untapped potential for the red-and-white.
On the defensive end of the floor, he relentlessly pursues rebounds and blocks, but also has a tendency to foul. If Styles can stay out of foul trouble, the Wolfpack may have acquired a two-way gem.
The Pack has started both Huntley-Hatfield and Middlebrooks once this season at the five, with each showing unique advantages. Middlebrooks is a problem for opposing defenses, with his ability to score inside. Additionally, Middlebrooks is working on adding the 3-point shot this season, unveiling it by draining his only attempt of the season against Presbyterian.
Meanwhile, Huntley-Hatfield is a slithery weapon in the paint, shooting an efficient 83.3% from the field. Regardless of who starts and who comes off the bench, the Wolfpack is in good hands at the five.
The Wolfpack’s starting lineup is very different from last season and has plenty of room to improve, but the potential for a strong season is there. If there’s an early concern about the group, it is 3-point shooting. However, there is enough talent and experience to overcome the issue as NC State looks to build off of last season.
