Markell Johnson, Wolfpack run past Mount Olive in lopsided exhibition victory
N.C. State’s exhibition basketball game Sunday against Mount Olive was all Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts wanted.
The Wolfpack rolled to an easy 113-73 victory at PNC Arena, allowing Keatts to look at different lineup combinations and defensive looks, substitute freely and not concern himself with the score for 40 minutes.
“I thought we did some really good things,” Keatts said. “I thought we came out both halves very solid and played extremely hard on both ends. It was a good takeaway. I told our guys in the locker room this will be our last dress rehearsal.”
Senior guard Markell Johnson appears all dressed up and ready for the Nov. 5 game against Georgia Tech, a rare ACC season opener. Johnson, who brings so much to the lineup, had 26 points, nine assists and six steals in his 27 minutes.
“He was locked in today and that’s great to see,” Keatts said. “He’s got to stay consistent. He’s accepted a different role and is more of a leader now, and we’re hoping to get that every game.”
C.J. Bryce and Devon Daniels each had 20 points, combining to hit 14-of-20 shots from the field as Bryce looked to slash to the rim and Daniels scored on a variety of moves. Bryce, undersized but playing big much as Torin Dorn did so well last season for the Pack, also had 10 rebounds and six assists.
“When you look at our veteran guards, all three of those guys played a tremendous game and controlled the game,” Keatts said.
Another thing Keatts liked was the play of big man Manny Bates, a 6-11 defensive presence who is active and aggressive, with the ability to be a factor offensively. Shoulder injuries that required surgery limited him as a high school senior and led to him redshirting as a freshman at NCSU last year, and Bates should bring a lot of pent-up energy to the lineup.
“I’m happy, man. That kid has played through so much,” Keatts said. “For him to be able to get on the floor for the first time at PNC (Arena) ... if he can stay healthy he’ll be one of the better players to play here at his position. It was a little emotional for me just to watch him play.”
Some players still are slowed by injuries. Keatts said junior guard Braxton Beverly, who played limited minutes Sunday, has a bruised knee and that freshman Dereon Seabron, who was in a walking boot, turned an ankle in practice. Jericole Hellems, like Beverly, played Sunday but was held out in the second half with a minor shoulder issue.
“Once we get healthy teams better look out,” Bryce said.
The Pack also played without big man DJ Funderburk, who has been suspended indefinitely. Funderburk watched the game from courtside opposite the Wolfpack bench and urged on Bates.
“If we can get those two on the court at the same time ...” Bryce said.
The Pack scored the first 13 points and raced to a 64-30 halftime lead Sunday. By game’s end, N.C. State had forced 24 turnovers that the Pack, which had 15 steals, converted into 37 points. The Pack was 10-of-24 on 3-pointers and 25-of-30 at the line as Johnson hit 11-of-12 free throws.
Pack fans got their first look at some of the newcomers in action — Pat Andree, Danny Dixon and A.J. Taylor — and Andree had a strong second half to finish with 17 points. A couple of freshmen from Raleigh, Chase Graham and Max Farthing, also got minutes and Farthing hit a crowd-pleasing 3-pointer.
For the Wolfpack, it was all about pressure and looking to push the ball. That should be a strength, Johnson said.
“Getting out in transition,” Johnson said. “We’re going to have offensive buckets leading from the defensive side. We can score in many different ways, and we can defend. I’m confident about the team this year.”
This story was originally published October 27, 2019 at 3:54 PM with the headline "Markell Johnson, Wolfpack run past Mount Olive in lopsided exhibition victory."
