NC State Basketball Preview 2021

PreviewsNCAAMACC BasketballNC State Wolfpack

Oct 29

Our NC State basketball preview 2021 - 22 notes that with the addition of some key players, the Wolfpack has been redesigned. Head coach Kevin Keatts (79-47 NC State/4 years, 151-75 Overall/7 years) hopes that the combination of veteran and new players will get this team to the point where they can play with consistency. Although last season the NC State Wolfpack (14-11 Overall, 9-8 ACC) struggled at times, their ninth-place finish and record got them to the NIT.

Wolfpack Frontcourt

Six-foot-11 forward Manny Bates posted breakthrough sophomore numbers last season. Bates averaged 9.8 PPG and 5.9 RPG. Plus, he recorded an ACC-best 2.7 BPG. Our NC State basketball preview 2021 - 22 notes that Bates is back as one of the best big men in the conference. Also returning is junior forward Jericole Hellems. Last year, Hellems was especially durable, averaging 31.4 MPG while scoring 12.9 PPG and grabbing 5.1 RPG. He’s an accurate inside and outside shooter. However, depth upfront is an issue.

NC State Basketball Preview – Backcourt

Guard Cam Hayes returns after recording 7.8 PPG and 3.2 APG. His field-goal and three-point averages are both 36-plus percent. Transfer Casey Morsell (Virginia) comes to the Pack, as Keatts attempts to make up for the loss of three backcourt players, Shakeel Moore, who transferred to Mississippi State, Devon Daniels, and Braxton Beverly. Freshman Breon Pass and Terquavion Smith join the group and will likely play.