The Wolfpacker

May 2018

The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports

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52 ■ THE WOLFPACKER MEN'S BASKETBALL BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State first-year head coach Kevin Keatts turned around the culture in the basketball program, leading the Wolf- pack to a surprising 21-12 mark and 11-7 record in the ACC, which tied for third place. NC State returned to the NCAA Tourna- ment after a two-year absence and showed a newfound steely resolve that had been lacking in the past. The Wolfpack featured four seniors and a redshirt junior in the starting lineup and normal rotation, giving the squad plenty of veteran leadership. NCSU earned a No. 9 seed in the Big Dance, but fell 94-83 to an equally veteran Seton Hall squad in the first round of the Midwest Region. The following is a final look back on the season. Top victory: NC State went into enemy territory and shocked UNC with a 95-91 overtime win Jan. 27. The Wolfpack handled any run that the Tar Heels delivered, and never backed down or flinched. Fifth-year senior shooting guard Al- lerik Freeman had the gaudy numbers with 7-of-7 shooting on three-pointers en route to 29 points. However, the pick-and- roll dominance of sophomore point guard Markell Johnson proved the difference down the stretch. Johnson finished with 20 points and 11 assists in the much-needed victory. "This is the best win we've had all season," former NC State center Omer Yurtseven said after the game. "Either Markell will go all the way to the rim or he finds me on the pump out. Sometimes they will go under him and he knocked down some big shots." Most surprising win: NC State defeated two No. 2-ranked opponents, but the first one was shocking. NCSU topped Arizona 90-84 in the Battle 4 Atlantis Nov. 22 in the Bahamas. The win over the Wildcats delivered more than just an NCAA Tournament résumé boost — it gave the Wolfpack hope. Few expected much from NC State go- ing into the game, but going toe-to-toe with an experienced and talented Arizona squad showed that the Wolfpack could with play anyone, if the team worked to- gether. "We're trying to build a culture here," Keatts told the Associated Press after the game. "These guys are making me look good five games into the season." A LOOK BACK The 2017-18 Basketball Season Was Full Of Surprises Sophomore point guard Markell Johnson scored 20 points and dished out 11 assists to help lead NC State to a 95-91 overtime at North Carolina Jan. 27. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN

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