NC State Wolfpack: Add Darius Hicks to Mix

Mar 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Mark Gottfried looks on to the court in the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during day two of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. Duke Blue Devils defeated North Carolina State Wolfpack 92-89. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Mark Gottfried looks on to the court in the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during day two of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. Duke Blue Devils defeated North Carolina State Wolfpack 92-89. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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NC State Wolfpack basketball added incoming freshman Darius Hicks to their quest of trying to reclaim the NCAA Tournament.

The NC State basketball season of the past year was something of a disappointment. Despite a team that brought back much of its core from a NCAA team, the Wolfpack found themselves in the middle of the pack in the ACC. The new task for 2016-7 is how to get back to where they were.

Like last season they have to do that with a big loss. Anthony Barber and his offense departed to the NBA Draft. The Martin twins up and left.

There is a fair amount of continuity. BeeJay Anya returns to troll the interior. Maverick Rowan is only a sophomore this season. Lennard Freeman is still around.

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Then there are the new contributors who have been around but we have not hear from them. Charlotte transfer Torin Dorn will be ready to go this upcoming season. Terry Henderson might actually be ready to play now after injuries had eaten his time with the Wolfpack.

More hype though is laid on the shoulders of Barber’s presumed replacement, five star incoming freshman Dennis Smith of Fayetteville. The 6’2” point guard is the crown jewel of a recruiting class that is not quite complete yet to the Martin transfers.

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Today the question of who would play with Smith was partially answered when the Wolfpack received the National Letter of Intent from three star basketball recruit Darius Hicks. The 6’7” 205 lb wing made his decision known yesterday according to reports from James Henderson of PackPride.com.

According to Henderson, Hicks was swayed by the good relationships he had developed with Anya, Terry Henderson, and Freeman among others. Hicks also mentioned his desire to play against the best and that the ACC represented the best to him right now.

What the Wolfpack might use Hicks for is still an open question. While he has small forward size, the door is not closed on him playing the four position in a smaller lineup. Coach Mark Gottfried has plenty of places where he could use him and perhaps we will see all of them in the upcoming year.

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In the meantime, we have a full football season that needs playing first.