NC State senior guard Markell Johnson (left) attempts a layup against Wake Forest's Olivier Sarr (middle) on senior night at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Mar. 6, 2020. NCSU defeated WFU 84-64.
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‘I Like Where Our Team’s At’: One Win Stands in Way of NC State’s NCAA Tournament Bid

Landon Bost

RALIEGH – The N.C. State Wolfpack skated to an 84-64 win against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on senior night at PNC Arena. 

N.C. State finished the regular-season 19-12, 10-10 ACC, heading into the ACC Tournament next week in Greensboro.

The Wolfpack are on the bubble of the NCAA Tournament.

One win.

That’s all N.C. State needs to have a 20-win season and stamp its tournament bid.

“For our resume for the NCAA, ‘ said N.C. State head coach Kevin Keatts,  “we’ve answered some of the questions or concerns that the committee had last year. Some people would argue that it was their strength of schedule non-conference. And I get it, it was bad.  I think we’re right around 100 (non-conference schedule) rank).

“Some people who argue that we just didn’t have enough quality quad-one wins. Well right now, we’re sitting at four quad-one wins. Today, this was another quad-two win. … With that being said, I like where our team’s at.”

The Wolfpack had six players score in double-digits tonight and received valuable scoring from junior guard Braxton Beverly.

With freshman forward Manny Bates missing tonight’s action with a minor knee bruise, junior forward D.J. Funderburk finished tied as the game’s leading scorer with 19 points.

Five other Wolfpack players scored in double-figures. 

Senior guard Markell Johnson finished with 13 points and 10 assists in his final game at PNC, and junior guard Braxton Beverly shot a perfect 6-6, 4-4 3FG, from the field and scored all of his 16 points in the first half.

“(Beverly) is a weapon for us,” said Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts. ” He’s a guy who can score we need him to make those type of shots. And we missed some of that, but his ability to make shots makes us a better team; and hopefully, he can continue that and play well.”

 What’s Next

Wake Forest (13-17, 6-14 ACC) and the Wolfpack head to Greensboro for the Tournament. The bracket will release after the Duke-North Carolina game tomorrow night.

(Feature image courtesy of Landon Bost)