MCLAMB: Finding An Identity
Six members of the team scored in double figures. Everyone seemingly hit a pivotal shot. When one frontcourt player fouled out, the next man stepped up. Nearly eighty percent of the shots taken were from inside the three-point line.
NC State did not reinvent the wheel but the Wolfpack did display an identity that could be their quickest path to success this season. It led to another court-storming win.
When the clock struck zero, NC State had knocked off Duke four a fourth time in the past six meetings in Raleigh as the Wolfpack remarkably stunned the second-ranked Blue Devils 96-85 to set off yet another court-storming adventure for the student section in PNC Arena.
The rushing of the court is certainly not the only redundancy. NC State has made a habit over the years of baffling performances that run the gamut from exhilarating to befuddling, with some games dabbling in both.
The Wolfpack certainly showed resolve, both in the game and the build-up. Trailing by 11 and coming off a pair of blowout losses to open ACC play, NC State used a 15-0 run to take the lead over Duke in the first half when it had initially appeared Kevin Keatts’ team was set for complete the trilogy of ugly basketball with a home loss to its Triangle rival.
Time will tell if it is a run with deeper meaning and a victory that will generate momentum but it has showed what NC State can be when the parts are working together.
The double-digit deficit in the first half was cleared when Sam Hunt hit a three-pointer from the corner to give NC State a, 28-27, lead.
Then there was Allerik Freeman, the rock in Wolfpack Nation’s shoe, playing 38 minutes and scoring 15 points -- while also dishing out career-high five assists. He was also a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line, displaying the ability to create off the dribble that is generally lacking on NC State’s team.
Four of Al Freeman’s assists led to dunks or layups. The other was to Hunt for his first half three-pointer.
Torin Dorn Jr. and Omer Yurtseven led the Wolfpack with 16 points each. The path they took to get there was different than normal.
Dorn buried two three-pointers -- he had made only eight in the first 15 games -- and showed a nice mid-range game that was savvy as meandering into the lane against Duke’s giants typically was not the practical move.
Yurtseven show a verve -- to steal one of Mike Krzyzewski’s favorite words -- that has not been seen since he came to Raleigh. He was aggressive inside and even had an icy glare for the opposition after a blocked shot. Afterwards, he said it was one of his finest college performances.
When Yurtseven was saddled with foul issues, Abdul-Malik Abu would enter to replace him and pick right up where the Turkish center left off. When both fouled out, it was Lennard Freeman who came on as NC State actually extended its lead late.
Marvin Bagley III, who looks every bit a future NBA All-Star, finished with 31 points and 10 rebounds that were completely within the flow of the game. The front court of Yurtseven, Abu and Lennard Freeman -- a trio Kevin Keatts has said he views as all starter-worthy -- tallied 39 points and 16 rebounds to mitigate what Duke gained from its astounding freshman.
And that is who NC State needs to be. A team that works inside to out and a complete squad that gets numerous contributions to offset an opposing mega-talent. Last but not least, the Wolfpack needs to use its experience and depth, something Duke could not match, to carry itself in the tough moments.
NC State also could use a home-court advantage, and they had it Saturday despite playing on a cold weekend evening against a neighbor that can bring its own crowd.
One of two things happened Saturday when NC State upset Duke in Raleigh once again. Either the Wolfpack will simply have another magical court-storming win to cling to or Kevin Keatts has established an identity that can propel the program to continue to grow.
The objective is winning titles. Wolfpack Nation has stormed the court enough. What it needs is a program that will have the fans rushing to the airport to welcome its team home as they carry a trophy.
There will be more bumps in the road but has to start somewhere. If you are NC State, this can be the test run for something bigger if they work together.