NC State's Season Ends with Familiar Struggles
In a season bookended by persistent challenges, NC State men's basketball found itself grappling with the same issues that had haunted them all year: rebounding and defense. Yet, when it came to shooting, the Wolfpack showed they could light up the scoreboard with the best of them.
In a high-stakes showdown, sophomore guard Paul McNeil Jr. delivered under pressure, sinking back-to-back threes that showcased NC State's flair for big-time shotmaking. Senior forward Darrion Williams joined the party, adding another deep shot to the mix. This was the Wolfpack in their element, combining experience with clutch shooting.
However, Texas had their own hero in Tramon Mark, whose 19-foot jumper with just a second left sealed a 68-66 victory for the Longhorns. With that, Texas advanced to the First Round of March Madness, while NC State's season came to an end.
The Wolfpack's defensive inefficiencies and rebounding woes were glaring. Despite head coach Will Wade's efforts in the transfer portal to bring in players with postseason experience and shooting prowess, basic attributes like size and strength seemed overlooked.
Texas dominated the boards, out-rebounding NC State 45-33 and grabbing 15 offensive boards. This wasn't a new story for the Wolfpack, who hadn't won the rebounding battle since January.
Fouling was another Achilles' heel. NC State's 22 personal fouls handed Texas 29 free-throw attempts, contributing significantly to their score. The Wolfpack's season average of 18.2 fouls per game hinted at a deeper issue-perhaps a lack of discipline or the need for more suitable personnel.
Coach Wade acknowledged the challenges, noting, “We don’t have very good length, [we’re] just small. You don’t have length and you’re small, it makes defense tough.”
Depth at the center position was particularly problematic. When senior forward Ven-Allen Lubin found himself in foul trouble, freshman Musa Sagnia stepped in but quickly fouled out. Senior center Scottie Ebube also struggled, adding to the team's woes.
Despite being 12th in the nation in 3-point shooting percentage, the Wolfpack couldn't rely on shooting alone. Their inability to defend without fouling and secure rebounds proved costly.
“We’re a jump-shooting team,” Wade admitted, reflecting on the team's identity. Close games consistently slipped away, with only victories over Clemson and SMU offering relief in tight situations.
Wade emphasized the need for toughness and the right mix of skills moving forward. “We’re gonna do much more due diligence this year,” he promised, aiming for a more balanced roster in the future.
As NC State looks ahead, the focus will be on building a team that can complement its shooting strengths with the physicality needed to compete at the highest levels.