7 players could make their debut for NC State tonight

We are baaaack!!!

NC State is coming off one of the most improbable Final 4 runs in history. However, they lost their two most important players from last year's squad. Can Kevin Keatts build on last year's magic and solidify NC State as an ACC powerhouse, or will NC State slip back into mediocrity? I'll look at all the pieces and give an honest (but not always popular) assessment.

Let's start with the guards…

Mike O'Connell

Glass half full: O'Connell comes in and plays the role he later played for NC State. Lead the guard, keep the offense patient and knock down open threes. He is the steady hand of the pack, helping them continue last year's success and playing the role of “coach on the field.” O'Connell's leadership and discipline in basketball rubs off on the team and NC State continues to play top-notch basketball.

Glass half empty: O'Connell struggles with his shot and defenses can play off him like they did at the start of the year last season. Anything that keeps him off the floor would also be a worst-case scenario, as we saw the pack unravel when he was injured in the Final Four against Purdue. O'Connell is the key to this team at the moment, he is the captain on the field. You need it out there in almost every situation.

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Mike James

Glass half full: Mike James comes into the game after a double-digit average at Louisville and becomes the leading scorer for NC State. He shoots around 37% from 3-point range and secures the No. 2 spot in the NC State rotation. He becomes NC State's leading scorer and, at 6-foot-3, becomes a nightmare to watch night after night.

Glass half empty: Mike James' knee injury continues to bleed into the season and he never really gets going. His 3-point percentage drops and he starts pushing drives into the paint (like he did at times at Louisville), thwarting NC State's offense.

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Paul McNeil

Glass half full: McNeil arrives as a freshman and takes control of the third spot for NC State. He's shooting about 40% from beyond the arc, is one of the pack's top three point scorers, is establishing himself as the top scorer and is doing enough defensively to keep himself on the floor.

Glass half empty: MeNeil has difficulty adjusting to the physicality of ACC basketball, and tougher defenders take away his ability to target/create, forcing him to settle for contested outside shots.

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Trey Parker

Glass half full: Showing he's much more than a highlight-reel dunker, Parker showcases his ability to score at all three levels. Remember, Parker really held his own against Kentucky's big recruit and current NBA pro Rob Dillingham. When he plays like this, he breaks into the NC State rotation and becomes a real offensive spark off the bench.

Glass half empty: Parker struggles to control the pace of ACC play, tries to force the issue too much himself and becomes vulnerable to turnovers, prompting Keatts to look elsewhere for immediate attack off the bench.

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Bryce Heard

Glass half full: Heard, who went a perfect 3-3 from the field and 1-1 from 3-point range in his collegiate debut (exhibiting against Lees-McRae), comes in as a late, pleasant surprise addition. The 4-star shooting guard, reclassified and committed to NC State, becomes a great scoring option off the bench, becoming one of NC State's trusted perimeter scorers and starting minutes at the end of the season to urge.

Glass half empty: Heard, who is making the transition from high school, is finding that the ACC is a little quicker and more physical than he expected and that he can't make the jump as quickly as he expected, which has left him less stressed from the bench Role urges.

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Breon Pass

Glass half full: Pass takes the next step as PG and secures the NC State backup PG role. Pass becomes a solid PG who never turns the ball over, can come in and provide an offensive spark, and can lock down smaller guards on defense. The pass completion rate is 37% from 3-point range and you can see the consistent signs of what made him a 4-star recruit and great high school scorer.

Glass half empty: Pass is too focused on being an offensive weapon and forcing the issue at the point rather than controlling the offense, a bit like he did in the 2022-23 season. This forces Keatts to look elsewhere for someone who can give O'Connell a breather and secure the ball in the meantime.

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Jayden Taylor

Glass half full: Taylor steps forward and takes the next step for the pack. He becomes the team's best perimeter scorer, is the go-to guy when the game is on the line and becomes a star in the ACC on both ends of the court. Had it not been for his ice-cold seven-game streak from 3-point range, Taylor would have shot over 40% from downtown last year. If he can prove to the defense that he can knock down the 3, his ability to get to the rim and line becomes truly dangerous. At his best, Taylor is NC State's emotional leader on the floor.

Glass half empty: Taylor has struggled to find his shot for much of the season and is losing confidence in his offensive abilities (as we saw midway through the season last year). He lets it get to him and lets his emotions get the better of him, forcing Keatts to turn to the likes of Mike James and Marcus Hill to play a bigger role.

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Marcus Hill

Glass half full: Hill comes into the game and carves out a role for himself, gets time as a backup PG and positions himself at the 2. Hill becomes one of NC State's best playmakers with the ball, directing the defense to the pick and role and getting there the edge to create chaos. Hill's 29% 3-point percentage improves drastically from last year and is becoming a real basketball threat thanks to his slippery style and ability to get into the lane with ease.

Glass half empty: Hill has had a tough time coming from Bowling Green to the ACC. It's one thing to get on track, but Hill could struggle against bigger, northern sports greats in this conference. He can't keep the defense honest if he doesn't nullify the outside shot, so the pick and roll is easier to defend, forcing his man to take the throw away, forcing him to prove he can take it can bring a fall. Worst Case In Hill's case, he can't carve out a role and Bryce Heard/Trey Parker/Breon Pass eat up his minutes.