Late-Season Report Card: NC State Basketball Senior Ben Middlebrooks
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Fourth-year college basketball veteran and second-year NC State basketball player Ben Middlebrooks has boosted his scoring a smidge this season but has seen those numbers dip of late. Also, the former two-year Clemson reserve forward has ramped up his defensive efforts a bit.
However, in the midst of an eight-game losing streak and an NC State campaign that appears to be running out of gas, Kevin Keatts and his Wolfpack (9-14, 2-10 ACC) need more from the 6-foot-10, 240-pound Middlebrooks and others if they are to remain in the mix for a trip to the ACC Tournament.
After appearing in all 41 games for the Wolfpack's Cinderella 2023-24 ACC champions and Final Four participants, the former three-star prep out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has seen action in all but one of NC State's 23 outings this season. He's drawn 16 starting nods along the way.
Currently, Middlebrooks is on a four-game skid when it comes tallying even five points in a contest. Now, he's averaging 7.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 21.5 minutes per game.
Late-Season NC State Basketball Player Grade for Ben Middlebrooks: 85.0 (B)
Ben Middlebrooks and the reeling Wolfpack are getting ready to host the Louisville Cardinals (18-6, 11-2 ACC) in the Lenovo Center at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday (ESPN2).
RANKED LATE-SEASON NC STATE WOLFPACK ON SI REPORT CARDS:
1. Marcus Hill
4. Trey Parker
5. Ben Middlebrooks
8. Ismael Diouf
9. Paul McNeil
Stay tuned to NC State Wolfpack On SI for more NC State basketball news.
Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.
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