After a first round exit in the 2023 NCAA tournament, NC State men’s basketball is chomping at the bit for the chance to prove to Wolfpack Nation that the freshly revamped squad is back and better than ever. In addition to welcoming seven transfers and one freshman, the Pack returns a few mainstays of last year’s squad, including graduate forward DJ Burns and graduate guard Casey Morsell. 

As the oldest players on the team and the two guys with the most experience in head coach Kevin Keatts’ program, both Burns and Morsell recognize their responsibilities in terms of showing the new guys the ropes and ensuring they themselves are in the best shape possible to lead the team. 

Last year, Burns was unexpectedly cast into the limelight when former NC State forward Dusan Mahorcic suffered a season-ending injury in December. His iconic sunglasses and lovable personality quickly made him a fan favorite, with thousands of fans chanting his name whenever he touched the ball. Burns loves the support, but he realizes it comes with a lot of responsibility. 

“There’s also the aspect of like, you better not let these people down,” Burns said. “You see how they feel about you, so it just makes you want to work even that much harder. You know, just knowing that there’s a whole city behind you and you know, fans that are just crazy about you, and I’m crazy about them too.”

In an effort to come back and top his 2022-23 performance, Burns has been putting in the work this offseason. He credited Keatts with ensuring that he consistently works on staying out of foul trouble, an aspect of the game that he often struggled with last year and a great source of frustration for both Burns and his teammates. 

Additionally, last year’s season-ending loss to Creighton in the NCAA tournament left a sour taste in the team’s mouth, especially Burns’, who scored just two points and grabbed a measly four rebounds. Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner dominated Burns in the post, an experience he won’t soon forget. 

“That was the most humbling experience I’ve had in basketball,” Burns said. “When you don’t properly prepared, that’s what’s gonna happen. I had one of the worst games I’ve ever played in my life, if not the worst, and it definitely gave me perspective on how hard I need to work so that never happens again.”

Burns also noted that after he was locked down by Virginia’s double team last season, he’s put a heavy focus on learning how to avoid the double team and practicing how he can still be effective with two men on him. He added that the addition of Clemson transfer Ben Middlebrooks will greatly help him in that regard. 

“I think that Ben compliments me well because he comes in as a five man who can shoot the crap out of a ball,” Burns said. “I feel like when me and him are in together, you’re not just going to be able to double team me because now we have four people on the court.”

In addition to Middlebrooks, Morsell and Burns’ connection on the court will be a huge factor in the Pack’s success this year. Burns’ ability to see the court and distribute the ball from down low should prove lethal in combination with Morsell’s ability to shoot the ball and pass into the post. 

“Our chemistry is at the highest it’s ever been, and you know, right now I know where to find him,” Morsell said. “He knows where to find me and we’ve just grown in that area.”

Morsell also said the new additions to the Wolfpack will greatly elevate the team’s game, largely because of the work ethic he’s seen from them in practice. 

“They’re workaholics, so they love working,” Morsell said. “They love putting the work in. You know, it’s like one of those things where if you create a culture where iron sharpens iron, it’s easy to have success.”

Both Morsell and Burns hope this dedication will enable them to rebuild after the losses of former guards Terquavion Smith and Jarkel Joiner and hopefully improve upon last season’s success despite the losses. 

“We can play with any team and possibly beat any team in the country,” Burns said.

The Pack will play its first and only exhibition contest against Mount Olive on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The following week, it is set to open the 2023-24 season against the Citadel on Monday, Nov. 6. Both games will be played at PNC Arena.