The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1177236
NOVEMBER 2019 ■ 71 BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2019-20 Rivals.com coming out of Fayetteville (N.C.) Northwood Temple. "We haven't had a rim protector since I've been here," Keatts said. "Obviously we are a pressing and running team. I think Manny provides that for us." The 6-10, 230-pound Dixon started his college career at George Mason before making the move to UMKC. His experi- ence should provide a steady hand. "Obviously, make no bones about it, D.J. was our best returning post guy," Keatts said. "That being said, I like what Danny Dixon brings to the table because he's old and got some experience, and then Manny Bates. Both of those guys will be huge for us." NC State Players Don't Worry About NCAA Scenarios A potential players' name and image rights battle and the NCAA's notice of al- legations, which was sent to NC State July 10, were both addressed by head coach Kevin Keatts at the Wolfpack's media day Oct. 3. For the latter, it's simply going to be a waiting game during the season. The NCAA issued a Level I violation con- cerning former point guard Dennis Smith Jr. He and people associated with him were ac- cused of receiving $46,700 in impermissible inducements and benefits from the previous NC State coaching staff. Both former head coach Mark Gottfried and ex-assistant coach Orlando Early were listed in the allegations. Keatts has a simple mantra of "we can't control what we can't control." "Our players, we don't concentrate on it," he added. "We don't talk about it. Our guys are locked in." Keatts acknowledged that the NCAA is- sues have been used against the Wolfpack in recruiting. "From a recruiting standpoint, it has been a little bit of a challenge," the third- year head coach said. "In basketball or any sport, any time your competitors can use something that may happen or may not happen, then they do." NC State will be responding in Novem- ber to the allegations, and it won't affect the current season. If the younger players in the program are pondering a bumpy fu- ture, Keatts doesn't see it. "Our guys worry from day to day, and I know that sounds funny," Keatts said. "Our guys are worried about practice. They are worried about what they are doing tonight." The other NCAA-related news came re- cently when California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the "Fair Pay To Play Act," which would allow college athletes to earn money from endorsement deals. The NCAA predictably hasn't been a fan of the law, which would start January 2023. The full thrust of this movement seems to be only beginning. "I've always been intrigued by the Olym- pic model," Keatts said. "I've been hearing this might happen in California for the last couple of weeks. If you ask me today, 'Am I for it?' I'd say, 'Yes.' "What I'd love to do is get more educated about it. I'd love to understand how it is going to work. I'm not opposed to it at all." C.J. Bryce Aims To Shoot Better At PNC Arena One of the interesting statistical anoma- lies from last year was the difference in three-point shooting percentage on the road and at home for current fifth-year senior wing C.J. Bryce. The former UNC Wilmington standout shot 52.3 percent (23 of 44) on threes on the road, and just 22.7 percent (15 of 66) at either PNC Arena or Reynolds Coliseum. He was 2 of 14 in four contests at the latter location. Bryce admitted he does have a theory on the anomaly. "Being on the road, I'd say it's more a competitive nature," Bryce said. "You have the crowd against you and things like that. There is a lot more excitement to the game." The 6-5, 210-pounder from Charlotte said he had similar differences in his shoot- ing while at UNCW. He hopes to rectify those numbers this season. "I definitely am looking forward to play- ing at home again this year," Bryce said. "We got the big [replay] screen that went up at PNC Arena. I'm looking forward to that." ■ 2019-20 NC State Men's Basketball Schedule Date Opponent (TV) Time (ET) Oct. 27 Mount Olive!^ (TBD) 2 p.m. Nov. 5 Georgia Tech (ACCN) 8:30 p.m. Nov. 10 Detroit Mercy (RSN) 4 p.m. Nov. 13 Florida International (RSN) 9 p.m. Nov. 16 St. Francis Brooklyn%^ (ACCNX) TBD Nov. 19 Alcorn State%^ (ACCNX) 7 p.m. Nov. 23 Little Rock%^ (ACCNX) 1 p.m. Nov. 28 vs. Memphis! (ESPN2) 4 p.m. Dec. 4 Wisconsin# (ESPN2) 9:15 p.m. Dec. 7 at Wake Forest (ACCN) TBD Dec. 15 at UNC Greensboro$ (TBD) 3 p.m. Dec. 19 at Auburn (ESPN2) 9 p.m. Dec. 22 The Citadel (ACCN) 6 p.m. Dec. 29 Appalachian State (ACCN) 4 p.m. Jan. 4 at Clemson (ACCN) 12 p.m. Jan. 8 Notre Dame (ESPN2/U) 7 p.m. Jan. 11 at Virginia Tech (RSN) 2 p.m. Jan. 15 Miami (RSN) 7 p.m. Jan. 18 Clemson (RSN) 2 p.m. Jan. 20 at Virginia (ESPN) 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at Georgia Tech (RSN) 4 p.m. Jan. 27 North Carolina (ESPN) 7 p.m. Feb. 1 Louisville (ESPN/2/U) 2 p.m. Feb. 5 at Miami (ACCN) 8:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Syracuse (ESPN/2/U) 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at Boston College (ACCN) 6 p.m. Feb. 19 Duke (ESPN) 9 p.m. Feb. 22 Florida State (ESPN/2/U/ACCN) 4 p.m. Feb. 25 at N. Carolina (ESPN/2/ACCN) 9 p.m. Feb. 29 Pittsburgh (ACCN) 12 p.m. Mar. 2 at Duke (ESPN) 7 p.m. Mar. 6 Wake Forest (ACCN) 7 p.m. Mar. 10 ACC Tournament$ TBD ! Exhibition; % Barclays Center Classic at campus sites; ^ at Reynolds Coliseum; ! Barclays Center Classic at Brooklyn; # Big Ten/ACC Challenge; $ at Greensboro Coliseum, N.C.; ACCNX — ACC Network Extra Athlon 1. Duke 2. Louisville 3. North Carolina 4. Virginia 5. NC State 6. Florida State 7. Notre Dame 8. Miami 9. Syracuse 10. Georgia Tech 11. Clemson 12. Boston College 13. Wake Forest 14. Pittsburgh 15. Virginia Tech Notes: NC State senior point guard Markell Johnson projected for first-team All-ACC … Johnson was ranked the No. 50 player nationally. Lindy's 1. Louisville 2. Duke 3. North Carolina 4. Virginia 5. NC State 6. Florida State 7. Syracuse 8. Miami 9. Clemson 10. Georgia Tech 11. Notre Dame 12. Boston College 13. Pittsburgh 14. Wake Forest 15. Virginia Tech Notes: NC State was ranked No. 30 nationally … Johnson was pro - jected third-team All-ACC and named the "top shooter " and "most entertaining" in the league, and listed as the No. 140 player overall nationally. Street & Smith's 1. Duke 2. Louisville 3. North Carolina 4. Virginia 5. Florida State 6. NC State 7. Notre Dame 8. Syracuse 9. Georgia Tech 10. Miami 11. Clemson 12. Pittsburgh 13. Boston College 14. Wake Forest 15. Virginia Tech Notes: Johnson named to the ACC "All-Sharpshooter" team. Preseason Magazines' ACC Projections