Three takeaways from Wolfpack’s 81-67 victory over UT-Martin Skyhawks

N.C. State coach Kevin Keatts expected a fast-paced game Tuesday against UT-Martin at PNC Arena.

Keatts got it and the Wolfpack also got another win, matching the Skyhawks shot for shot in an entertaining, if at times sloppy game in taking an 81-67 victory.

DJ Horne had 22 points, going 6-of-10 from 3-point distance, as the Pack took an 11-point halftime lead, weathered a mild UT-Martin push in the second half before building a 21-point lead. Freshman Dennis Parker Jr. had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Jayden Taylor 13 points.

D.J. Burns also had a double-double, scoring 10 points to go with a career-high 12 rebounds — ”I’m proud of him for that,” Keatts said, smiling — in addition to five blocks and four assists.

After a break for semester finals, the Pack (7-2) limbered up and Keatts kept a steady flow of players entering the game. He used nine players in the opening half — MJ Rice playing his second game — and 11 total in the game. Mohamed Diarra was a “little banged up” according to Keatts and did not play.

“Good game for us and I’ll tell you why,” Keatts said. “These are nerve-racking games that you play with finals and our guys being pulled 20 different ways.

“So it’s good. I thought we ramped it up when we needed to. I thought DJ Horne was a big part of that spark, making some shots, got really hot and did some good things.”

It was just what the Pack needed — not stress-free, but not in doubt — before its next game: an important matchup with Tennessee — the University of Tennessee — on Saturday in San Antonio.

Keatts worked the sideline as intently as an ACC game and was loud in the team huddles at times in making his points.

“I think we’re getting better and it looks like we’re playing better together,” Keatts said. “I thought for the last three games our offensive transition has been really good. We’re sharing the ball, we’re kicking the ball ahead. I think defensively, we’re starting to click a little more and we don’t have as many breakdowns as we had early in the season.”

Takeaways from the game:

Matching up

The Pack had two prime defensive targets in preparing for the Skyhawks: senior guard Jordan Sears and junior forward Jacob Crews. Sears was the leading scorer in the Ohio Valley Conference at 19.0 points a game and Crews good for 16.7 points

.Sears plays a game similar to the Pack’s Jarkel Joiner last season: ultra quick, and always looking to attack the basket. Crews is one of those guys with a quick trigger finger, with no apparent shooting conscience.

“Crews, I think he was trying out for the Lakers,” Keatts quipped.

The Pack used a number of players on Crews: Casey Morsell, Michael O’Connell, Rice. Crews kept firing away. Taylor and Horne often were matched up on Sears.

Sears and Crews each finished with 20 points.

Shooting the 3

Maybe it has been extra practice, maybe the change in locale and a different style of play, but the Pack’s Taylor has the look of a good 3-point shooter.

Taylor has good form. He shoots with confidence. He makes ‘em.

But what’s this? Taylor shot 29.4% at Butler two years ago and 32.6% last season?

With the Pack, he went into Tuesday’s game shooting 50% (16-of-32) and hit three of five in the first half as NCSU took a 46-35 lead. He did miss a few from 3 in the second.

Horne was a 33% shooter on 3’s this season before Tuesday, when the rim looked larger. His six 3’s tied his career high.

Going deep on the bench

The Pack’s strength might be in its numbers. Keatts has a number of options and appears committed to using up his bench.

Rice, after his late start to the season, must play his way into shape. The 6-5 sophomore entered the game in the first half Tuesday and quickly knocked down a few shots and made some nice plays. He can be a weapon. But he’ll need time.

Rice had 15:40 in playing time Tuesday, scoring seven points.

“I do like the fact we can play a lot of guys,” Keatts said. “Guys are trying to figure it out. Like MJ, I’m playing him at two positions and he’s trying to figure out where to go. He started out hot, then he kind of fizzled out a little bit.

“He’s going to be good, but right now he’s just running around. As he gets comfortable and gets more practice time he’s going to be really good for us.”

This story was originally published December 12, 2023 at 9:09 PM.

Chip Alexander

The News & Observer

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In more than 40 years at The N&O, Chip Alexander has covered the N.C. State, UNC, Duke and East Carolina beats, and now is in his 15th season on the Carolina Hurricanes beat. Alexander, who has won numerous writing awards at the state and national level, covered the Hurricanes’ move to North Carolina in 1997 and was a part of The N&O’s coverage of the Canes’ 2006 Stanley Cup run.