With prized freshman center Omer Yurtseven now eligible after serving a 9-game suspension, NC State looks to finally be nearing full strength as they head into a Thursday primetime game against in-state Appalachian State (3-5) on ESPNU.
Sophomore Maverick Rowan has been working his way game into game shape after missing several games with a concussion and being shut down for all basketball activities during the recovery process. Rowan will be brought along slowly off the bench, with shooters Terry Henderson and Torin Dorn starting in his place. Yurtseven’s return alleviates two of NC State’s primary concerns, defense and rebounding, as Yurtseven, a 7-footer, has plenty of length to contest shots and swallow up rebounds in a hurry. He also can dribble and shoot 3 pointers, and is a talented and willing passer. In a spring U-18 game, Yurtseven scored 91 points and grabbed 28 rebounds.
In starting Yurtseven, NC State can now shift senior center BeeJay Anya (who played admirably in a hard-fought win against Tennessee St. with nearly a triple-double) to the bench. Two years ago Anya was awarded the ACC’s 6th Man of the Year, and is more comfortable with providing a spark off the bench. Freshman big Ted Kapita can also now come off the bench and provide energy and minutes to back up presumptive starters Abdul Malik Abu and Yurtseven.
Freshmen point guard Markell Johnson is now assuredly the top guard off the bench for NC State, and will handle the primary ball carrying responsibilities when super-frosh Dennis Smith Jr. needs a breather.
Yurtseven is a legitimate lottery-bound big man, and has been a primary reason, alongside playing with Smith Jr. ,that NBA scouts have flocked to many of NC State’s practices in Raleigh. Yurtseven is also much more experienced than his age (18) would suggest, as Yurtseven has played against professional grown men in Turkey for several years.
Coach Gottfried elaborated on the excitement of having Omer finally playing in a regular season game:
“I keep telling myself and my staff that I have to be patient here,” Gottfried said. “I want him to be a finished product on day one, and that isn’t going to happen. It’s going to take time.”
“I can’t wait and it has been a long process,” said Yurtseven, who is majoring in computer science. “For the first time, we got all the parts back. We have to get used to each other and be ready for whatever challenge is coming at us.”
Prediction:
NC State 84
App State 70
