NC State’s Ben Middlebrooks to return to Clemson for first time since transfer
When NC State men’s basketball takes the floor at Clemson on Saturday night, it will be a familiar feeling for Wolfpack junior forward Ben Middlebrooks.
The 6-foot-10 big man spent his first two seasons of college basketball with the Tigers before he entered the transfer portal in the offseason and eventually ended up at NC State.This weekend’s game will mark his first time returning to Littlejohn Coliseum and the first time he will play against his old squad.
Middlebrooks appeared in 60 games in his pair of seasons with the Tigers, including 11 starts, but he never averaged more than 11.2 minutes a night. He scored 1.2 points a contest during his freshman season before that rose to 3.1 points last season.
But in his first year with the Wolfpack, Middlebrooks has career-best numbers in an expanded role. He is averaging 5.2 points and 4.0 rebounds in 14.4 minutes on the floor each contest.
Clemson coach Brad Brownell said he has been happy to see Middlebrooks find success in his first season at NC State.
“I hated to lose him, I think he’s a good player,” Brownell said. “He’s a good kid and comes from a great family and that’s part of this new age of college athletics. … He seems to be playing and contributing well, much like I thought he would. It’ll be nice to say hello to him, wish him well and then get on to the business of the game.”
Middlebrooks spent most of his time at Clemson as a backup to star forward PJ Hall, the team’s leading scorer again this season. Hall, who is averaging a career-best 19.6 points a game this season, spoke highly of Middlebrooks at ACC Tip-off in Charlotte during the preseason.
“He’s a great dude,” Hall said. “Playing ball with him, he’s a great competitor, fiery guy. He’s the kind of guy on the court, even on your team, that you might get to fight with him. He’s a very confrontational dude on the court, which I loved about him.”
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While Hall enjoyed his time with Middlebrooks, so did Clemson’s Chase Hunter. Hunter said Middlebrooks is the type of player to do whatever is needed to win, which has shown up during his time in Raleigh.
Middlebrooks has embraced his role with the Wolfpack, which has included an ability to score while also playing stout defense on the other end of the floor. Middlebrooks has scored in double figures three times this season, something he did just once at Clemson, ironically against NC State last season.
Though it is Middlebrooks’ first trip back to Clemson, Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts said he is going to just let his forward play without adding any pressure to his plate.
“Players know, they get a chance to go back and play against their old team, they just know,” Keatts said. “I don’t think I have to say anything to motivate him. He’s just got to be ready to play. In those situations, I’ve always found out you can be overhyped and score 2 points or just be even-keeled and have a really good game. I just think he’s got to focus in and play NC State basketball and not get caught up in the other stuff.”
Hunter, who also spoke highly of Middlebrooks in Charlotte before the season began, made sure to note it won’t be the same seeing his former teammate in another color other than Clemson’s orange.
“It’ll definitely be weird seeing him in a different jersey,” Hunter said. “But I’m always rooting for him.”
