NC State basketball runs past Louisville, 76-64

“Calm” was not the word that NC State basketball fifth-year senior post player D.J. Burns Jr. would have used to describe head coach Kevin Keatts at halftime. The coach agreed, but Keatts was happy that at least Burns did not share what the coach described as “a few choice words.”

“My mom wouldn’t be proud,”” Keatts acknowledged of his halftime vocabulary.

NC State was leading Louisville at the break, but the 31-28 margin was much too close for comfort against a Cardinals squad that was 2-10 overall and had been beaten by at least 20 points in all five prior games against Power Five teams.

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In particular, Keatts was disappointed by what he felt was a lack of effort, which led to an outburst that left his voice hoarse after the game.

The result of the halftime pep talk was a spirited second half start that included a 17-0 run, breaking a 33-33 tie to bust open what would be a 76-64 win for NC State.

“I thought our energy level went up to another decibel in the second half,” Keatts added.

All five starters for NC State would score in double digits for the Wolfpack, led by Burns, who made 8 of 10 shots from the field 17 points and 6 reboudns in 34 minutes.

“He’s as gifted post guy scoring the ball as I’ve seen in a long time,” Keatts said. “… He’s talented. If I can continue to help him to get better defensively, I know that’s a stretch, but we’re going to continue to work on it.

“He’s really good. He’s tough to stop down there.”

Senior guard Casey Morsell had 15 points, making 5 of 7 three-pointers, before fouling out. Fifth-year senior forward Jack Clark had an all-around performance of 14 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Super senior guard Jarkel Joiner contributed 13 points.

Sophomore guard Terquavion Smith had an off night by his standards, shooting just 4 of 13 from the field for 14 points, but he also had 5 assists and his second-half three-point shooting sparked the decisive 17-0 run.

Louisville was never able to get the lead back down into single digits, cutting the Pack advantage down to 10 points on several occasions but never closer.

With the victory, NC State basketball improves to 11-3 on the season and 1-2 in the ACC. Louisville falls to 0-3 in the conference.

The Wolfpack players will be off through Christmas before returning to practice on Dec. 26. The next game for NC State is not until Dec. 30, when the Pack travels to Clemson for a 4 p.m. tipoff on ACC Network.

That game will begin shortly after the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, featuring NC State against Maryland, should be completed. The bowl has a noon kickoff on ESPN.