NC State basketball rolls in Heritage Game. Three takeaways from Wolfpack’s 93-61 win

Any N.C. State basketball game at Reynolds Coliseum with David Thompson at courtside always makes for a special night.

And especially Wednesday night. It was a day that had Thompson see his statue unveiled outside Reynolds, recognizing the brilliance of the legendary forward who led the Pack to the 1974 NCAA title. Thompson returned later to take a seat just behind the Wolfpack bench for the Heritage Game against Maryland Eastern Shore.

What Thompson saw was the Pack take a 93-61 victory in a game that was strenuous enough heading into semester exams.

“I sitting at the ceremony (Wednesday) morning and I was really emotional,” NCSU coach Kevin Keatts said. “I wanted to make sure our players were there because this was a once-in-a-lifetime situation. It was great. I was like a kid at a candy store today.

“Tonight’s game was all about, ‘Hey, the ‘GOAT’ is in the building and it was his day and we better find a way to win’ And I thought our guys did a really good job. We were a little slow getting started, but I thought once we got going everything went in our direction.”

Jayden Taylor had 21 points as six Wolfpack players finished in double figures. DJ Burns had 15 points and Casey Morsell 12 for the Pack (6-2) and a there was a new name on the box score: MJ Rice, the transfer from Kansas, played his first game for the Pack and had 11 points.

Rice had a slam dunk late in the game that had Wolfpack fans thundering and the bench in bedlam — and was enjoyed by Thompson.

“You get a dunk and David Thompson is in the building and he claps? Pretty good dunk,” Keatts said, smiling.

Three takeaways from the game:

Splitting the minutes

Keatts went deep into the bench Wednesday and a now has a new option with MJ Rice. There were contributions from many, as nine players were in for 11 or more minutes.

The Hawks (2-6) were aggressive — check their foul total — if a bit suspect with their shot selection and did not allow a big breakaway by the Pack until the final minutes. Junior forward Troy Hupstead had 22 points and nine rebounds.

But the Pack also was aggressive. It extended its pressure defensively and had 11 steals, and attacked the basket off the dribble. It looked to run, scoring 25 fast-break points.

“One of my messages to these guys is I need consistent play, and it doesn’t have to be from scoring,” Keatts said. “It’s who’s going to consistently do the little things, gets the assists, get on the floor, and defend and rebound? But I love our versatility.”

Can’t beat Reynolds

The energy in Reynolds is pretty amazing and especially for the annual Heritage Game, when it’s as if they wake up the echoes.

Having Thompson in the house always helps. As the Pack’s Taylor put it, “It’s eye-opening what he meant to this university.”

There were other members of the 1974 NCAA champions, and a few from the 1983 champs. Thompson’s statue was well lit and looked resplendent before the game, and Thompson dropped by for a few more photos. It was his day.

“He’s a great guy and just an inspiration to everyone,” the Pack’s Morsell said. “All of his accomplishments mean a lot to the basketball world.”

It was a different Reynolds Coliseum when Thompson was played. Bigger, louder. But it’s still Reynolds.

Weak at the line

It’s small thing for now, in these types of games, but can become a bigger thing in the bigger games: free-throw shooting.

The Pack was shooting 76% percent at the line before Wednesday, then found the Reynolds rims not as much to their liking. They were 15-of-27 and Keatts is hoping it was just a one-night thing.

LJ Thomas did hit five of six in scoring 10 points.

‘”It was weird because at Boston College we were 18 of 21.” Keatts said. “If there’s one thing I have to leave the game and be nitpicky about ...”