NC State basketball scouting report: Bethune-Cookman

NC State basketball is returning to Reynolds Coliseum for its annual heritage game, facing Bethune-Cookman for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff. The game can been seen on Regional Sports Network (RSN).

The Wolfpack is 6-2 for the season after falling in the final seconds of its ACC opener on Saturday against Louisville.

Here is a rundown of what to expect from Bethune-Cookman.

Bethune-Cookman Overview

The most familiar thing about the Wildcats may be their head coach — Reggie Theus.

Theus was named head coach and director of athletics on July 7. He was previously a head coach in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings, and in his playing days was a two-time NBA All-Star and has his No. 23 retired at his alma mater, UNLV.

And he even dabbled in acting, starring on a NBC Saturday morning show called “Hang Time” from 1995-97.

Otherwise, Bethune-Cookman entered this season almost a complete unknown. It literally had not updated a roster online at the end of August when the NC State basketball schedule was announced. This after not playing a year ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thus far, Bethune-Cookman is 1-7 on the season, its lone victory coming over Bryant. It did have a moral win of sorts when leading a ranked Seton Hall team at halftime before losing by 14, but in its last game was crushed by 36 points at Central Florida.

The Wildcats were picked preseason to finish last in the 12-team SWAC by both Lindy’s and Athlon.

Like previous opponent Texas Southern, Bethune-Cookman has yet to play a home game. It will finally get the opportunity to do so next Wednesday.

Rankings

NCAA’s NET: Bethune-Cookman checks in at No. 319 (out of 358 teams). NC State comes in at No. 130.

ESPN’s BPI: The Wildcats are No. 333. The Pack is No. 82.

KenPom.com: Bethune-Cookman is No. 353. NC State is No. 74.

Three Bethune-Cookman Players To Watch Against NC State Basketball

Sophomore guard Joe French: On a roster loaded with transfers, French is the lone holdover from the team before the sit-out year.

French was a part-time starter in 2019-20, averaging 8.5 points per game. He has bumped that up to a team-high 15.9 points a contest thus far this season.

French is a shooter. He made 57 of 131 treys as a rookie (43.5 percent) and is 22 of 54 this year, or 40.7 percent. Over half of his career shot attempts have come from beyond the arc.

Junior guard Damani McEntire: McEntire transferred to Bethune-Cookman after two seasons at Southern Utah, where he had a modest role. Last year, McEntire played 14 games and 6.5 minutes per contest for SUU.

At Bethune-Cookman, McEntire has emerged as a starter and is contributing 9.4 points per contest. He’s particularly effective at getting to the free throw line, making 17 of 20 when he gets there. Both are team-highs, as is his 85.0-percent mark.

Senior center Dylan Robertson: Robertson spent last year at Sam Houston State before transferring to Bethune-Cookman. Like McEntire, he had a modest role at his prior school, averaging 2.6 points and 2.1 rebounds in 7.8 minutes of action.

He’s taken on a larger responsibility for the Wildcats, starting in the post and contributing 8.6 points and 5.0 rebounds a contest while shooting an impressive 55.2 percent from the field. Robertson has struggled at the line, however, making just 5 of 13.

Three Things NC State Basketball Should Expect From Bethune-Cookman

1. An opportunity to get right: On paper, Bethune-Cookman appears to be the weakest team on the NC State basketball schedule. Theus presumably had to scramble in the summer to put together a team primarily of transfer additions of players who did not have prominent roles at their respective mid-major schools.

2. A team that may struggle to score: In five of the Wildcats’ eight games thus far, it has failed to reach 60 points. Bethune-Cookman is averaging just 59.0 points per contest and shooting only 41.1 percent from the field as a team.

3. A fun time in Reynold Coliseum: With the 1970 ACC title team being reunited during the game and the atmosphere at Reynolds, it should be a good night for all Wolfpack fans.

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