The Kevin Keatts era has begun. State blasted an overmatched Mars Hill squad 109-66 on Friday for Keatts’ first win in PNC. It was a refreshing experience to see State doing competent basketball things for the first time in what feels like forever. I don’t know how good this team is capable of actually being this year, probably not that great, but watching them isn’t going to be nearly as rage inducing.
The first and biggest takeaway from Friday was the defense. State pressured heavily on defense, and Keatts’ defensive strategy was highly effective at doing what it was intended to, which is forcing turnovers.