Chris Gammon
Sophomore guard Markell Johnson drives the lane and elevates for a lay-up. He had an efficient game shooting 5 for 9 from the field, 100 percent from the free throw line and one assist shy of a double-double. The Wolfpack blew past Virginia Military Institute 102-67 on Friday at PNC Arena.
In head coach Kevin Keatts’ debut, the NC State men’s basketball team won its season opener, 107-62, over VMI, highlighted by a newfound defensive intensity.
The 20th coach in program history has trademarked his own style of play for the Wolfpack (1-0), and nearly 15,000 NC State fans saw what the new era under Keatts looks like on Friday night in PNC Arena. The Pack defense annoyed VMI all night, scoring 27 points off of 21 Keydet (0-1) turnovers.
“We did exactly what I wanted to do on the defensive end,” Keatts said. “I thought we played aggressive. We mixed our pressure up a little bit; we were able to force 21 turnovers. I thought it was a good game for a lot of guys. I thought it was a great start.”
NC State’s effort on defense was obvious. The Wolfpack was constantly contesting shots, and limited VMI to shooting just 36 percent from the field and 20 percent from the perimeter.
While the in-your-face defense was an upgrade from years’ past, redshirt junior guard Torin Dorn broke through on the offensive end for 16 points, and also grabbed seven rebounds.
“I think I was able to get on the glass and get some offensive rebounds, get some easy baskets,” Dorn said. “I think I was able to share ball, pass it around to my teammates and just do all the little things.”
The starting lineup featured four guards in sophomore Markell Johnson, graduate transfer Sam Hunt, graduate transfer Allerik Freeman and Dorn, with all scoring in double digits.
Johnson will take the reigns of the Wolfpack offense at the point guard position this season, as it is now his show to run due to Dennis Smith Jr.’s departure to the NBA. Johnson shared a glimpse of what is to come with him at the helm.
The Cleveland native was just one assist shy of his first career double-double with 14 points and nine assists — both were career highs. Johnson also recorded four steals, tied for a career best.
“[Johnson’s] playing well,” Keatts said. “He’s really embraced the role. He’s starting to understand. One thing about a good point guard is they start to learn where their teammates are on the floor and I think he’s doing a good job.”
The new-look Wolfpack welcomed a friendly face back to the hardwood of PNC Arena. Redshirt senior forward Lennard Freeman returned to the court and the starting lineup after missing the entire 2016-17 season due to a leg injury.
The Oak Hill Academy product bursted onto the scene in his first game since March 2016 for a career-high 15 points, six boards and a block.
“It felt great getting back out there,” Lennard Freeman said. “[It] felt good to get the win, now we’ve just got to keep it up.”
Fellow big man Omer Yurtseven came off the bench and quickly became a dominant rim protector. The sophomore center notched four blocks on the evening, along with 13 points and seven rebounds in just 19 minutes of action.
Though the Pack extended its series lead against the Keydets to 23-8, Keatts insisted that the contest was more than starting the season 1-0.
“I just wanted us to come out and play hard,” Keatts said. “I told these guys, certainly we’re not going to do everything right. We’re going to make some mistakes. I wanted them to play hard on both ends of the floor and I think they did. I’m really proud of these guys as we shared the basketball.”
The Wolfpack will be back in action Sunday at PNC at 4 p.m. against Charleston Southern.