Basketball season is quickly approaching, and NC State men’s basketball is ready to improve. At the team’s media day, there was a resounding theme from this year’s team: taking the next step forward.
Last season the Pack enjoyed a 23-11 campaign that concluded with an appearance in the NCAA tournament —NC State’s first since 2018. The reinvigoration and strong season was cause for excitement, but the Wolfpack remains just as hungry for success this season.
“It’s really important to stay focused and never be satisfied — you should always want more,” said sophomore guard LJ Thomas. “Yeah we made the tournament, but we want to go farther. We don’t want to repeat what we did last year. We always want to get better.”
A key part of last year’s success was the red-and-white’s dynamic backcourt duo of Terquavion Smith and Jarkel Joiner. While both have moved on to professional basketball, their impact is still felt in the program. The Pack’s desire to elevate the program to the next level is evident by the work ethic of the entire team as they put their heads down and work at their craft each and every day. .
“These guys just go work hard, come in everyday and there’s not too much complaining,” said graduate forward DJ Burns. “You don’t have to ask them to start warming up, we come in and just work.”
Burns, the face of NC State basketball, is back for one last ride with the Wolfpack. After an injury to starting center Dusan Mahorcic, Burns took on an expanded role and did not disappoint, quickly becoming a fan-favorite in Raleigh.
“DJ got a chance to go into the starting lineup and played about 30 minutes a game,” said head coach Kevin Keatts. “The legend of DJ Burns was born, and he’s going to be mayor of this city one day.”
The 6-foot-9 forward will once again be one of the Pack’s main threats to score, especially when other players’ shots aren’t falling.
“He’s extremely valuable because when you need an easy bucket, you can just throw it right inside,” Thomas said. “Sometimes you don’t always make shots and go through long stretches, but DJ can get you a bucket.”
Burns isn’t the only key contributor to return. Graduate guard Casey Morsell is back and is expected to be one of the better players in Raleigh after bursting onto the scene last year. In addition to his on-court talent, specifically as a three-and-d player, Morsell has brought veteran leadership to NC State. With players like Joiner and Smith gone, Morsell’s value as a leader has only grown.
“As a leader, I’m just trying to be the best communicator,” Morsell said. “I’ve always been a guy that led by example during my time here, but that’s the next step for me — being more vocal and bringing guys along verbally. I think that brings the best out of the guys.”
Morsell isn’t the only talented guard who will take the court for the Wolfpack this season. Graduate guard DJ Horne and junior guard Jayden Taylor, who transferred to NC State this offseason, have quickly made an impact.
When Morsell, Horne and Taylor are on the court together, the red-and-white will be tough to stop.
“It makes my life easier because you got me, you got Casey Morsell and you got DJ Horne,” Taylor said. “You have to guard those guys, but you also have to guard me. You can’t help too much on Casey because I’m just going to pass it. … It just makes my life easier.”
With so much talent on this year’s team, the Wolfpack has one goal on its mind — postseason success. NC State is focusing on being intentional in practice so that it can reach its goals at the end of the season. After getting a taste of March Madness earlier this year, it’s clear that the Pack is hungry for more.
“Getting back to the tournament, to actually win games, that’s a big focal point for us,” sophomore guard KJ Keatts said. “The end goal is to win games in March.”
While the ACC schedule for men’s basketball hasn’t been released yet, the non-conference games are already set. The Pack will start its campaign Wednesday, Nov. 1 in PNC Arena, as it takes on Mount Olive in an exhibition game.
