NC State is no longer just a nice story of the team that got hot for 5 days and won a conference title. After swatting away Texas Tech 80-67, the Wolfpack need to be taken very seriously as a team that can make a real run in the NCAA tournament.
NC State’s always had talent. After they won the ACC, I had this to say.
I remember watching NC State against a couple of really good teams BYU and Tennessee early in the year and get late into the second half with those teams before fading. I thought they had some pretty good individual pieces, and if they could ever become a cohesive unit there was enough talent to be dangerous.
Well, they have become a cohesive unit with great chemistry with contributions from all over their roster. Big man Ben Middlebrooks played the game of his life scoring 21 points, and filling in beautifully for DJ Burns who was in early foul trouble. Mohamed Diarra chipped in with 17 points and 12 rebounds. DJ Burns had 16 more. NC State post players dominated a rugged Red Raider team.
The NC State guards were largely quiet outside of DJ Horne, but NC State didn’t need their scoring because the inside guys played so well.
In the last 6 games, it’s a different player stepping up for NC State. Kevin Keatts is shuffling and handling his lineup like he’s John Wooden. They are confident, playing well, and have a chip on their shoulder.
Oakland is a dangerous 14 seed, that just beat Kentucky, but it is an opportunity. If NC State keeps playing like the roll they are currently on, they could find themselves in the Sweet 16. It’s been quite a run and it might go on for a while.
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