Shakeel Moore
FILE - Then-New Mexico State coach Chris Jans holds up the net following the team's victory over Abilene Christian in an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of Western Athletic Conference men's tournament on March 12, 2022, in Las Vegas. Jans wants Mississippi State to experience March Madness just as he did coaching New Mexico State. Jans replaced Ben Howland and takes over a MSU program seeking to move up from the three NIT appearances it had recently become accustomed to the past five years, including last spring. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Chris Jans, Mississippi State strive for first-year success

By Gary B. Graves Oct. 20, 2022 04:05 PM EDT

Auburn guard Wendell Green Jr. (1) makes a layup against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Starkville, Miss., Wednesday, March. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Auburn Tigers at Mississippi State Bulldogs 3/2/2022

Mar. 02, 2022 09:50 PM EST

Arkansas guard JD Notae (1) drives past Mississippi State guard Cameron Matthews (4) to score during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Mississippi State Bulldogs at Arkansas Razorbacks 2/5/2022

Feb. 05, 2022 09:54 PM EST

FILE - Mississippi State guard Iverson Molinar (1) plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Nashville, Tenn., in this Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, file photo. Ben Howland believes Mississippi State could be one of his best squads since arriving in Starkville. Molinar’s offense was key to the Bulldogs’ NIT run, and he’s a preseason All-SEC first team selection. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Mississippi State eyes NCAA berth behind Molinar, transfers

By Gary B. Graves Oct. 21, 2021 12:19 PM EDT

North Carolina State forward DJ Funderburk (0) dunks after getting past Colorado State guard David Roddy (21) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
North Carolina State Wolfpack at Colorado State Rams 3/25/2021

Mar. 25, 2021 07:22 PM EDT

North Carolina State guard Braxton Beverly (10) drives to the basket past Davidson forward Hyunjung Lee (1) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the NIT, Thursday, March 18, 2021, in Denton, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Strasen)
North Carolina State Wolfpack at Davidson Wildcats 3/18/2021

Mar. 18, 2021 08:08 PM EDT

Syracuse forward Quincy Guerrier (1) battles North Carolina State forward Manny Bates (15)for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Wednesday, March 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at North Carolina Tar Heels 3/10/2021

Mar. 10, 2021 12:22 PM EST

North Carolina State's Cam Hayes (3) gets pressure from Notre Dame's Trey Wertz (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Robert Franklin)
South Carolina State Bulldogs at North Carolina A&T Aggies 3/3/2021

Mar. 03, 2021 08:02 PM EST

Virginia forward Jay Huff (30) dunks next to North Carolina State forward DJ Funderburk (0) during an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. (Andrew Shurtleff/The Daily Progress via AP, Pool)
Hayes, Funderburk help NC State upend No. 15 Virginia 68-61

By Hank Kurz Jr. Feb. 24, 2021 09:03 PM EST

North Carolina State's D.J. Funderburk (0), Jericole Hellems (4) and Shakeel Moore (2) celebrate after the team's victory over Boston College in an NCAA college basketball game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer via AP, Pool)
N.C. State overcomes lull, beats Boston College 79-76

Dec. 30, 2020 10:52 PM EST

North Carolina State's Braxton Beverly (10) tries to drive around North Carolina's Kerwin Walton (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 (Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer via AP)
Daniels, N.C. State beat 17th-ranked North Carolina 79-76

By Aaron Beard Dec. 22, 2020 09:18 PM EST

North Carolina State forward Manny Bates (15) reacts after being fouled after making a shot for a chance to make a 3-point play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. Louis, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, in St. Louis. (Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
North Carolina State Wolfpack at Louisville Cardinals 12/16/2020

Dec. 17, 2020 10:46 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2020, file photo, North Carolina State's D.J. Funderburk (0) drives the ball as Louisville's Malik Williams (5) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Raleigh, N.C. Funderburk is the Wolfpack's top returning scorer at 12.8 points for this season. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker, File)
Keatts relying on veterans as NC State eyes NCAA return

By Aaron Beard Nov. 13, 2020 01:56 PM EST