The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1043000
42 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2018-19 but with the coaching staff, that wasn't my job," Daniels said. "I just did my job and when I had the opportunity, I shot it. "Here, I'll be tak- ing a lot more threes and Keatts likes that. I have no problem taking them." Teammates like what they saw from Daniels last year. "He is very aggres- sive, loves to win and is a [heck] of a teammate," Bryce said. Both Daniels and Bryce expected to win at NC State and reach the NCAA Tourna- ment at some point. The fact the Wolfpack was able to go 21-12 without them and play in the Big Dance has altered expectations. When Dorn; Henderson, who had sat out the previous year for transferring but then tore ligaments in his ankle during the season opener; and Dennis Smith Jr., who graduated early from high school to rehab his knee at NCSU, sat out the 2015-2016 season, the trio was dubbed the "Rescue Squad." This year's transfers won't have to rescue the program, just accept Keatts' winning philosophy. Maybe deep down Daniels and Bryce were surprised at how fast Keatts has turned around the program, but they won't publicly admit it. "I kind of expected it," Daniels said. "Since the first day I've met Keatts and the coaching staff, they've stayed the same. He is a true competitor and likes to win a lot. "From the first day I've stepped in here, I can see the guys take to him a little bit more." Daniels officially visited San Diego State and NC State, and Bryce narrowed his list to essentially South Carolina and NC State. Bryce played in two NCAA Tournaments under Keatts at UNCW and expects at least a third trip at some point with NC State. "It was a great accomplishment for him and that is all he knows because Keatts has always been a winner," Bryce said. "I was very proud of him. I'm glad they could make it last year." ■ NC State's Recent Transfers Ralston Turner (2013-15 at NC State) Turner arrived from LSU, where he was a two-year starter, and provided perimeter firepower for the Wolfpack in his two years. He averaged 10.5 points per game and shot 37.2 percent from three- point range in 2013-14, and followed that up with 12.8 points per contest and 36.7 percent from beyond the arc the following season. Trevor Lacey (2014-15) Lacey made his one year in Raleigh count, averaging 15.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while helping NC State reach the Sweet 16 in the 2015 NCAA Tournament. The Alabama transfer entered the NBA Draft a year early, but went undrafted. Terry Henderson (2015-17) The Raleigh native came back after playing his first two years at West Virginia. His first year at NC State ended after seven minutes due to injury. He bounced back to average 13.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 38.4 percent on three-pointers the following campaign then tried to receive a sixth year of college eligibility, but it was denied by the NCAA. Torin Dorn (2016-present) He stayed home for college and picked Charlotte, but following a coaching change with the 49ers, he elected to transfer to NC State. He averaged 9.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game as a redshirt sophomore, but blossomed last year. He emerged as a consistent force, notching 13.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest while helping the Wolfpack get back to the NCAA Tournament. Previous Graduate Transfers Alex Johnson (2011-12 at NC State) The point guard from Cal State Bakersfield proved to be a key player off the bench in his one year at NC State. The Canadian averaged 4.4 points and 2.8 assists in 19.5 minutes per game while helping the Wolfpack reach the Sweet 16. Allerik Freeman (2017-18) The Baylor graduate transfer came on strong down the stretch to help NC State reach last year's NCAA Tournament. The streaky Freeman averaged 16.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, and shot 38.5 percent from three-point range. Sam Hunt (2017-18) The Wolfpack were seeking some veteran guard depth, and Hunt provided it. The North Carolina A&T transfer shot 41.8 percent from beyond the three-point line en route to averaging 5.5 points in 16.1 minutes per game last year. — Jacey Zembal After transferring from Alabama to NC State, guard Trevor Lacey aver- aged 15.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game to help the Pack advance to the Sweet 16 in the 2015 NCAA Tournament. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN "When you sit out, the message I try and send these guys is to make every practice their game. They were a huge part of our success [last year]. We don't win 21 games and 11 games in the conference if it wasn't for those guys pushing us every day." ■ Head coach Kevin Keatts on Bryce and Daniels