In the most anticipated recruiting battle the Pack had been involved in since C.J. Leslie was in decision mode, State fell just short on big time recruit Amile Jefferson. The Philadelphia native had narrowed his final five down to State, Kentucky, hometown Villanova, and ACC-rival Duke.
The five-star power forward chose Duke in the absolute worst-case scenario for NC State. Not only did the Pack miss out on a huge target, but now they’ll have to play against him about ten times over the next four years.
At 6-9 and 200 pounds, Jefferson is rated as the third best power forward and the No. 21 player overall in the 2012 class. He will be a big part of the post rotation for the Blue Devils this season. His strengths include “attack mode, competitiveness, and upside/potential” – and apparently, screen setting.
The decision means that State will need a bench player to step up down low. Seven-footer Jordan Vandenberg red-shirted last season and has two years of eligibility left, and rising sophomore Thomas De Thaey will be called upon to give Leslie and Richard Howell breaks off the bench. Freshman T.J. Warren could also be utilized at power forward, but is more of a natural small forward.
I still believe State is in good shape for next season, but it is imperative now that the Pack sign a big-time forward in the 2013 class.
Ralston Turner Commits!
Lost among the Amile discussion was a huge get for the Pack. Ralston Turner, a sophomore wing at LSU has chosen NC State as his new school.
The 6-foot-6 and 205 pound shooting guard/small forward led the Tigers in scoring as a freshman (12.3 points), but regressed in the category as a sophomore to 9.1 points per game. Turner’s efficiency from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line improved from year one to year two, though.
Turner will have to sit out the upcoming season due to NCAA transfer rules, but will then have two years to play left two seasons. With his sharp shooting ability he will play big minutes following the departure of Scott Wood.
“I felt very comfortable on the visit and with the direction of the program. I’m expecting big things at NC State, and I wanted to be a part of it,” said Turner of his decision.
Turner will add depth to an already talented backcourt for the Pack in 2013.
ACC/Big 10 Challenge
The pairings for the fourteenth annual ACC/Big 10 Challenge were announced Monday, and NC State will face a tough road test at Michigan Tuesday, November 27. The Wolfpack and Wolverines have met twice before in the Challenge, splitting the two meetings (Michigan win in 2003 and NC State in 2006). Both teams should enter the season ranked in the pre-season top-10. Here is the complete list of pairings for the event; the Big 10 has won the last three challenges after the ACC started out 10-0.
Tuesday, Nov. 27
UNC at Indiana
N.C. State at Michigan
Minnesota at Florida State
Maryland at Northwestern
Iowa at Virginia Tech
Nebraska at Wake Forest
Wednesday, Nov. 28
Ohio State at Duke
Virginia at Wisconsin
Michigan State at Miami
Purdue at Clemson
Georgia Tech at Illinois
Boston College at Penn State
That’s all the news for now. As always, for up to date news about Wolfpack athletics, follow me on Twitter @TheJJGreenstein.
Today’s news started with a whisper- well actually it was a tweet. I just wanted to see if I could get that song stuck in your head again, now a month after the conclusion to the NCAA Tournament (you’re welcome).
News broke early this morning on Twitter that NC State freshman forward Tyler Harris would transfer away from the program. Making him the third transfer in the past couple months, joining junior forward Deshawn Painter and freshman guard Jaqawn Raymond.
Harris, a lengthy 6-foot-9 power forward from New Jersey, averaged 2.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 2011-2012 off the bench- even seeing time in the NCAA Tournament. He was expected to be an important role player off the bench for the Pack this season, and a possible starter two seasons from now.
Painter was the Wolfpack’s first man off the bench and really improved throughout the season, but all indications are that he will head to Old Dominion University to be closer to an ill relative. Raymond’s departure leaves a lack of depth in the front court for the Pack, and is most likely a playing time issue.
So what is going on in Raleigh? Three transfers after a Sweet 16 run is odd, but with a stellar recruiting class coming in that contains three McDonald’s All-Americans, some of the Pack’s bench players may just be clearing out searching for somewhere that they can play big minutes.
It happens a lot, actually. When John Calipari took over at Kentucky, current players jumped ship knowing their spots would be filled. In at least one incidence, Calipari yanked a scholarship from a current athlete recruited by the previous staff to make room for newcomers- total douchebaggery (yeah, I made that word up but you get my drift) if you ask me, and I’m glad that is not the case at State.
It is just a part of college athletics that we have to live with. Hell, this year alone there have been over 375 transfers following the 2011-2012 college basketball season. A list of these transfers can be found here.
State is very lucky that sophomore power forward C.J. Leslie has decided to come back to school for his junior season. His returnalone has the Pack listed a pre-season top-10 team in the country and a favorite to win the ACC.
Leslie, a 6-foot-8 power forward was projected as a late first round to early second round pick in the upcoming NBA draft. He led the team in scoring at nearly 15 points per game and trailed only junior Richard Howell in rebounds, snagging 7.3 per contest. As long as Leslie doesn’t regress this season, he should be at the top of the discussion for ACC player of the year and a sure-fire lottery pick in the 2013 NBA draft.
The Pack is still waiting for Friends’ Central (PA) power forward Amile Jefferson to make his college decision. With the recent transfers away from State’s program, quality minutes are available for Jefferson during his freshman season if he chooses the Pack. He has narrowed down his choices to State, Duke, Kentucky, Ohio State, and hometown Villanova. NC State feels good about their chances with the five-star prospect, but no one knows when a decision will actually come from him. This recruitment could run ‘til August before a school is chosen.
Jimmy V Classic
In other news, it was announced today that NC State will play Connecticut on Monday, Dec. 3, in the Jimmy V Classic at New York’s Madison Square Garden. It is only fitting as this season will mark the 30th anniversary of Jimmy Valvano’s Cardiac Pack’s run to the 1983 national championship.
That’s all I’ve got for today, an update on NC State football recruiting for the 2013 class will be up soon. As always, for up-to-date news about NC State athletics follow me on Twitter @TheJJGreenstein.
Did you hear Roy Williams coached at Kansas? Crazy, right? (Pic per OrangeandWhite.com)
Midwest: (1) UNC vs. (2) Kansas, 5:05 (ET) Sun., CBS, St. Louis, MO
Coaches Tourney Records: UNC – Roy Williams 61-19 (7-4 in the Elite 8); Kansas – Bill Self – 29-12 (1-5 in the Elite 8).
UNC Has to Stop: F Thomas Robinson (Junior, 6-10 237, 17.5 PPG/11.9 RPG) – While fellow leading-scorer G Tyshawn Taylor has had his share of troubles this tournament, Robinson has shined – posting 15 points and 13.6 rebounds per game. (Bonus player to watch is 7’0 center Jeff Withey, who had a season-high 10 blocks against NC State Friday).
Stat to Watch: Harrison Barnes’ line – Kansas presents a number of problems defensively allowing 61.4 points per game and ranked fourth nationally in field goal percentage defense (38 percent). They held the Wolfpack to 28 percent shooting with ELEVEN blocks Friday. Points in the paint will be much more of an issue here than against Ohio, which means Barnes can’t go 3-for-16 again – he has to hit shots early and often for the wounded Heels to move on to the Final Four.
What I’m Thinking: Last season, the Elite 8 was the end of the road for the Tar Heels and Jayhawks. UNC/Kansas features a frontcourt matchup with big men who typically own the paint on both ends, and the two teams may very well cancel each other out – putting pressure on the guards to step up. UNC’s depth won’t be all that big an issue here as the Jayhawks’ starting-five all played over 30 minutes against NC State. Kansas hasn’t exactly blown away its last two opponents – twin 3-point wins over double-digit seeds’ Purdue and NC State, which you can look at in a couple ways…one, they haven’t played their best and are due for a big game, or they’re just not in a groove right now.
I’ve been trying to convince myself the Tar Heels take this since I picked them to win it all, but UNC without (or with a limited) Kendall Marshall and a pressing Harrison Barnes just isn’t the same team I picked. Tyshawn Taylor has a big game and his Jayhawks edge out another one to eliminate the ACC from the NCAA Tourney.
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