Holliday: Defense saved NC State's season

Go back and look at the stats that nearly trashed what began as a promising campaign in west Raleigh.

NC State, which started conference play 5-1, found itself 9-7 on Feb. 26, needing three or even four wins to have a chance at getting an NCAA at-large bid. Instead, the Wolfpack lost all four games.

It’s easy to see why.

The Pack allowed Florida State to score 90 points on 60% shooting, 36% from 3-point range and State lost the turnover battle.

On March 2, UNC shot 47% in a 79-70 win over Kevin Keatts’ team, hitting 38% from 3-point range. State only forced eight turnovers and committed 21 fouls, giving the Tar Heels a decisive 12-point advantage at the free throw line.

Duke visited PNC Arena on March 4, which was Senior Day. The Pack historically plays well against Duke at home. Not this time. The Blue Devils shot 47% and then rebounded 52% of their misses. Also, State would force just five turnovers.

In the regular season finale at Pitt, the Pack allowed the Panthers to shoot 40% from 3-point range while again forcing just five turnovers.

The defensive malaise continued in the first game of the ACC Tournament against Louisville. The Cardinals shot 55% from 3, and tied the game at 75 when Keatts called time with about 4 ½ minutes left. If NC State doesn’t win this game, Athletic Director Boo Corrigan likely makes a coaching change.

State prevailed because Jayden Taylor made two huge 3-pointers after the time out; also, because the Wolfpack forced 16 Louisville turnovers, leading to 22 points off turnovers. So note, in that game, we finally saw one element of Keatts’ basketball philosophy. At last.

Over the next four days in Washington D. C. we saw this team make a complete re-dedication to defense.

It was those defensive performances that earned NC State the ACC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and first week games in Pittsburgh.

During the run up to the Final Four, the Wolfpack’s offense captured the fancy of fans and media.

It was the rhythm of State’s dynamic point center DJ Burns, equal parts passer and scorer, a big man whose graceful spin moves and soft shooting touch captivated the entire country.

It was the feel good story of DJ Horne, a Raleigh native who entered the transfer portal in order to finish his career in the place where he grew up. Horne’s explosive three-point shooting, and ability to attack or pull up galvanized the Wolfpack faithful.

It was the magic of Michael O’Connell, whose buzzer-beater against Virginia kept hope alive. O’Connell ran the offense with aplomb while increasing his scoring in March.

It was the versatility of Casey Morsell, a player who could score and rebound inside or connect beyond the arc. Enlightened college basketball observers appreciated that Morsell was State’s best defensive player.

It was the inspirational play of Mo Diarra, who remained true to his Muslim faith while competing against the best teams in America. Diarra observed a total fast each day between sunrise and sunset, sometimes playing entire games without water.

Top reserves Taylor and Ben Middlebrooks also got plenty of time in the spotlight, playing important roles and important minutes in four consecutive NCAA wins.

But it wasn’t the offense, flashy as it was at times, that produced the trip to the Final Four. Of course State’s defense was what led the way, as players doubled down on the things their coach values most. These numbers tell the story:

But Purdue, which made just 3-15 three point shots against Tennessee in the Elite Eight, hit 8-20 (40%) against NC State. Also, the Pack got just 10 points off the 16 Purdue turnovers as the Boilermakers did a great job of getting back on defense.

Purdue coach Matt Painter wanted to make this a deliberate half court game and he got it. State scored just 2 fast break points.

Emblematic of the Wolfpack’s struggles offensively, one potential fast break ended in disaster. Horne came up with a loose ball and passed down court to O’Connell. It looked like a sure 2 points for the Pack, but O’Connell suffered a serious mis-step when he landed awkwardly on one foot and leg. Instead of a fast break basket, the play became a State turnover. Purdue scored at the other end and O’Connell had to leave the game with an injury.

The Wolfpack could not get its offense going in Saturday's slow-tempo game, even as time dwindled in the second half. State shot just 37% from the floor and 26% from 3-point range. Jump shooters developed tired legs, and so after a competitive first half, State hit just 8 of its final 26 shots. And several of those came in the final minutes after the game was already decided.

Burns told reporters that poor shotmaking cost his team dearly: “I think we hit three 3s (actually five) the whole time and we’ve been averaging way more than that. So, you know, it’s not like a situation where we came out and didn’t play well and let them dominate us. We just didn’t make shots, and they did unfortunately.”

Purdue left the door open. Between Edey’s scoring drought and the turnovers, the Boilermakers made lots of empty trips down the court against State.

But as DJ Horne noted, the Wolfpack just couldn’t take advantage: “There were multiple chances in the game where we were pulling in close and could have gone on a run but we just couldn’t get over the hump.”

Especially without O’Connell. No. 12 played exactly 12 minutes in the game.

Keatts said, “when Michael’s injury occurred, it changed us. It made the circumstances go back to Horne handling the ball more than we wanted to. He’s our leading assist guy, so we didn’t really have anyone that could create for someone else.”

The Pack finished with just 10 assists.

Horne of course, played at Arizona State in Tempe, not far from the building that hosted the Final Four in Phoenix. Despite the career-ending loss, Horne is thrilled with the way the season played out. “It meant everything,” he said “to come home for, for Coach Keatts to give me the opportunity to go out there and make memories with my brothers as we do. I don’t think I could have drawn it up any better.”

Horne adds if State had won the title it would have been a story. “I’m grateful for this experience. Not everybody gets to go to the Final Four. NC State did.”

This run of late season wins has certainly given Keatts a much more prominent platform to pitch the future. “I hope people understand that we have a heck of a basketball program,” Keatts said. “We play a unique style. We’ve got a great culture.”

State will lose three of its best players next season in Burns, Horne, and Morsell. But O’Connell, Taylor, Middlebrooks, Diarra, Breon Pass (who played well Saturday in O’Connell’s absence) should all be back along with freshman Dennis Parker Jr. who showed promise until suffering a season-ending illness.

LJ Thomas has hit the transfer portal, but it’s possible some of State’s other players on the roster, will return. Top recruit Paul McNeill will be a welcome addition next season and the Pack should get at least a player or two from the portal—and maybe more.

As for 2024, Keatts loves the way this team came together. “I think if you get five new guys, or in our case, eight new guys to blend in with the guys who are returning, I think you’ve got something there. It takes a little longer. It’s so much work to the chemistry both on and off the court to get here. They have to trust. They have to believe.”

Keatts spent many years as coach at Hargrave Military Academy at the beginning of his career. He had to overhaul his roster virtually every year. He can do it. He’s used to it.

But maybe next season for once, Keatts will begin the campaign at NC State with a big core group that knows and has already bought into the Keatts culture—and especially his defense.