NC State Basketball: Projected depth chart and rotation minutes for 2023-24 season
Center
Projected starter: D.J. Burns (24 mpg)
Reserve: Mohamed Diarra (16 mpg)
After winning Big South Player of the Year, Burns proved to be a highly effective big man for the Wolfpack. He averaged 12.5 ppg and 4.8 rpg on 56% shooting and had some huge performances in the second half of the season. That includes a 31-point performance against Wake Forest on the road.
Whether it’s via foul trouble or just being a big body (260 pounds last season), Burns is going to average around 25 mpg, creating an opportunity for a backup to have a spot in the rotation. The most likely option is Diarra, a 6’10 forward that averaged 3.2 ppg and 3.3 rpg at Missouri in 12 mpg off the bench.
Compared to Middlebrooks, Diarra is a bit more skilled, capable of making some three-point shots. He’s also a good rebounder, having a trio of 10-rebound games in limited minutes. The Tigers opted for more small-ball lineups and so will NC State in a way but there’s definitely going to be room for him on this team.
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To a degree, Middlebrooks and Diarra will be interchangeable at the power forward and center positions but we could see scenarios where Middlebrooks plays with the guards and Burns plays more with Diarra with two-big lineups. There’s going to be a lot of moving parts but the Wolfpack definitely has a lot of interesting new pieces to watch for.