In Rivals basketball recruiting analyst Eric Bossi's latest Starting Five column, he calls NC State's hire of Kevin Keatts a slam dunk. Here's what he said:
"Whether it has been as a prep school coach, an assistant coach or as a Division I head coach at UNC Wilmington, all Kevin Keatts has done is win. NC State fans are hoping that trend continues and I personally think that it will.
"I've known Keatts for nearly 15 years and his energy, ability to relate to kids and how he manages personal relationships have always stood out for me. Kids and families that he is recruiting seem to feel that he has genuine care for them and their futures. He represents interesting new blood heading into the ACC and he's going to shake things up.
"Likely, a turnaround isn't going to happen overnight in Raleigh. However, the contacts that Keatts has built up over the years as a killer prep school coach at Chatham (Va.) Hargrave Academy, a top assistant for Rick Pitino at Louisville and leading a D-I program in Wilmington should pay dividends down the road. He has the type of personality that a fanbase will rally around and will likely prove to be much more of a competitor than his good guy persona and recruiter reputation have suggested."
More of The Wolfpacker's coverage on the hiring of Keatts:
• Photo gallery of the introductory press conference
• Kevin Keatts has been winning for decades
• NC State basketball players are excited about Kevin Keatts
• Video reel: Kevin Keatts' introductory press conference
• Audio: New NC State basketball coach Kevin Keatts introductory PC
——
• Talk about it inside The State of Basketball
• Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes
• Learn more about our print and digital publication, The Wolfpacker
• Follow us on Twitter: @TheWolfpacker
• Like us on Facebook
