North Carolina State men’s basketball program unveiled their 2023-24 ACC Championship and Final Four Banners last night program in route to their 97-66 season opener victory over USC Upstate. A night filled with emotion in which head coach Kevin Keatts admitted was tough to hold back tears after the year the team endured on their way to Phoenix.
A back and forth battle opened up prior to half time with the Wolfpack going on several runs which included a lineup of 4 guards, and one big led by senior Breon Pass who finished with his career high 14 points. Guard Marcus Hill complimented the backcourt also with 14 points. Dontrez Styles helped catalyst the team during the first half with his attacking of the rim, and defensive tenacity before going to the bench with foul trouble.
Coach Kevin Keatts spoke during the post game presser on Ben Middlebrooks and his aggressiveness, in which Keatts admitted he challenged him to step his level of gamesmanship up. Keatts admitted, “In practice you would have though Ben was the second coming of Dennis Rodman”.
Ben finished with a double-double tallying 10 points,10 rebounds with 4 blocks.
A game of runs
The Wolfpack logged 36 transition points, forcing 17 turnovers. In turn, USC Upstate only contributed 7 fastbreak points to just 4 points off turnovers.
Next up for the Pack is a non-conference matchup with Presbyterian Friday night, tipoff starting at 7pm.
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