NC State Basketball: What to Watch For on ESPN

As the college Basketball season gets underway, ESPN will be televising several NC State Games Here’s what you should be watching for when tuning in.

Introduction

In case you haven’t heard, the NC State Wolfpack men’s basketball team is back on ESPN tonight.

The Wolfpack will take on the Pittsburgh Panthers at 8 p.m. in Pittsburgh. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

This is a big game for the Wolfpack, as they try to keep their NCAA tournament hopes alive. At 14-13 overall and 4-10 in the ACC, NC State needs to win some big games down the stretch to have a chance at making the Big Dance.

Here are some things to watch for in tonight’s game:

1) Can NC State’s offense keep up with Pittsburgh’s? The Panthers are one of the highest-scoring teams in the country, averaging 80 points per game The Wolfpack, on the other hand, have struggled to score at times this season and are averaging just over 70 points per game

2) turnovers have been an issue for NC State all season long The Wolfpack cough the ball up an average of 13 times per game, one of the worst turnover rates in Division I Basketball Pittsburgh isn’t great at forcing turnovers (they rank near the bottom of the ACC in that category), so this is an area where NC State could have an advantage tonight if they can take care of the ball.

3) rebounding has also been a problem for NC State this season. The Wolfpack rank near the bottom of the ACC in rebounds per game (33), while Pittsburgh ranks near the top (39). It will be important for NC State to keep Pittsburgh off the offensive glass and give themselves extra possessions.

4) foul shooting could be key in this one, as both teams struggle from the Charity Stripe Pittsburgh is shooting just over 67 percent from the Free Throw Line this season, while NC State isn’t much better at just over 70 percent. If it comes down to late-game foul shots neither team will have a big advantage.

5) finally, don’t forget about defense! Both teams are capable of playing good defense when they’re motivated and focused. Pitt ranks 2nd in the ACC in points allowed per game (64), while NC State isn’t far behind at 6th (66). If either team can get stops when they need them tonight, it could be difference-maker.

The Wolfpack’s Schedule

The NC State men’s Basketball team will appear on ESPN a total of four times during the 2019-2020 Season Here’s a look at the Wolfpack’s schedule on ESPN:

Nov. 6: vs. Duke (ESPN)
Jan. 25: vs. UNC (ESPN)
Feb. 8: at Louisville (ESPN2)
Mar. 3: vs. Virginia Tech (ESPN)

The Team’s Roster

As the college basketball season gets underway, we take a look at the NC State Wolfpack’s roster and what to watch for on ESPN. With a new Head Coach in Kevin Keatts and a host of new players, the Wolfpack are looking to make some noise in the ACC this season. Let’s take a look at the team’s roster and what to watch for on ESPN.

NC State Roster

Guards:
Braxton Beverly – A transfer from Ohio State Beverly is an experienced guard who will be counted on to provide leadership for the Wolfpack. He is a good shooter and has the ability to score in a variety of ways.
Allerik Freeman – Another experienced guard, Freeman is a transfer from Baylor. He is a good shooter and can also get to the basket and finish.
Lennard Freeman – A big body in the middle, Freeman will be counted on to provide rebounding and defense for the Wolfpack. He is also a good passer out of the post.
Omer Yurtseven – A 7-footer from Turkey, Yurtseven is a talented big man who can shoot from outside and run the floor well for his size. He will be counted on to be a major contributor for the Wolfpack this season.

Forwards:
Torin Dorn – A 6-foot-5 forward, Dorn is an athletic player who can finish around the basket and also knock down shots from outside. He is one of the top returning scorers for the Wolfpack this season.

The Team’s Star Players

The NC State basketball team is led by a trio of star players point guard Markell Johnson, shooting guard Braxton Beverly, and small forward CJ Bryce. All three are averaging over 15 points per game and they will be the key to the Wolfpack’s success on ESPN this season. Here’s what to watch for from each of them:

Markell Johnson: The Wolfpack’s floor general, Johnson is one of the quickest players in the country and an excellent passer. He also has the ability to score, averaging 15.5 points per game

Braxton Beverly: A transfer from Ohio State Beverly has been a revelation for NC State. He is a knock-down shooter with unlimited range, and he is also a very good defender. Beverly is averaging 16.0 Points per game

CJ Bryce: The team’s leading scorer at 17.0 points per game Bryce is an excellent all-around player who can score from anywhere on the court. He is also a very good rebounder, averaging 6.5 per game.

The Team’s Key Games

The NC State Basketball team will be appearing on ESPN several times this season, and there are a few key games that fans should keep an eye on.

First, the Wolfpack will face off against Duke on January 8th. This will be a tough game, as Duke is currently ranked number one in the nation. However, NC State has proved they can compete with the best teams in the country, as they beat then-ranked number two Arizona earlier this season.

Another key game to watch will be when NC State takes on UNC on February 5th. This is always a heated rivalry, and both teams will be looking to pick up a win.

Lastly, the Wolfpack will take on Syracuse on March 1st. This could be a crucial game in terms of Conference Standings as both teams are currently near the top of the ACC.

Make sure to tune in to ESPN to catch all of these exciting games!

The Team’s Strengths

As the season approaches, many fans are wondering what to watch for on ESPN. Here are three things to keep an eye out for:

1) The team’s strengths. One of the biggest question marks surrounding the team is how they will perform without Dennis Smith Jr., who left for the NBA after last season. However, there are still plenty of talented players on the roster, including sharp-shooter Allerik Freeman and post player Omer Yurtseven. If they can step up and fill the void left by Smith, the Wolfpack could be a force to be reckoned with.

2) The return of injuryprone forwards Abdul-Malik Abu and Shaun Kirk. Both players missed significant time last season due to injuries, but they are healthy now and ready to contribute. Their ability to stay on the court will be crucial for NC State’s success.

3) The development of freshman guard Lavar Batts. Batts was a highly-touted recruit and he has the potential to be a star for the Wolfpack. If he can live up to the hype, NC State will have one of the best backcourts in the country.

The Team’s Weaknesses

ESPN’s Jay Bilas took a close look at the NC State basketball team and identified some of their weaknesses. He noted that the team does not have a true point guard they lack shooters, and they are not particularly big or athletic. While Bilas believes that the team has a chance to be competitive, he thinks they will need to play well above their level to make the NCAA Tournament

The Team’s Outlook

The NC State basketball team is looking good this season. They are currently ranked No. 5 in the nation and have a record of 22-4. This season, they have wins against Duke, North Carolina and Louisville. The team’s leading scorer is junior shooting guard Kevin Keatts, who is averaging 19.1 points per game. The team’s leading rebounder is freshman center Odell Bennett, who is averaging 9.5 rebounds per game The team’s best defender is sophomore forward CJ Bryce, who is averaging 1.5 steals per game.

What the Experts are Saying

Entering the 2019-20 college basketball season, North Carolina State is flying a bit under the radar. The Wolfpack are ranked No. 19 in the ESPN preseason poll, but they have the potential to make some noise in the ACC this year. Here’s what the experts are saying about NC State heading into the season:

“NC State has a lot of talent and experience coming back, led by Senior All-American guard Markell Johnson. The Wolfpack should be in the mix for an ACC title this year.” – ESPN analyst Jay Bilas

“The Wolfpack could be a sleeper team in the ACC this year. They have a lot of experience coming back and should be able to compete with anyone in the conference.” – CBS Sports analyst Jon Rothstein

“NC State is a team that could make a run to the Final Four this season. They have all the pieces in place to make a deep run in March.” – NBC Sports analyst Andy Katz

Conclusion

The college basketball season is winding down, but there is still plenty of action to be enjoyed. In this article, we take a look at what to watch for on ESPN in the final weeks of the regular season

As the College Basketball season comes to a close, there are still plenty of great games to be enjoyed on ESPN. Here are some of the things to watch for in the final weeks of the regular season

-The race for the conference title In many conferences, the race for the conference title is still wide open. This means that there are plenty of teams who will be fighting for a spot in the NCAA tournament Tune in to ESPN to see which teams are on the bubble and which ones are safe.

-Rivalries: There is nothing quite like a good rivalry game. In the final weeks of the season, there will be plenty of heated battles taking place on the court. Be sure to catch all of the action on ESPN.

-The battle for seeding: As teams strive to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament they will also be fighting for better seeding. Tune in to ESPN to see which teams are making a push for a higher seed.

So, there you have it! Be sure to tune into ESPN in the final weeks of the College Basketball season for all of these exciting story lines and more!