Senior guard Markell Johnson came into the season with high expectations for his last season in Raleigh. As of now, Johnson has yet to consistently live up to those expectations. A couple of really good games have been overshadowed by games with bad turnovers and a horrific free-throw shooting slump in the middle of the season.
In NC State’s last game, a 71-68 loss to Boston College on the road, Johnson committed careless fouls to get himself into foul trouble in the second half. This resulted in him only playing a season-low 17 minutes in the game, putting up four points and three assists with six turnovers.
As the only true point guard on the NC State roster, it is imperative for him to be on the court and facilitate NC State head coach Kevin Keatts’ offense. Against ACC opponents, the Wolfpack is 2-3 when Johnson fails to score in double digits, and 2-4 when Johnson has five or fewer assists.
The next three games are the biggest of the season for NC State, home against Duke and Florida State, then on the road at North Carolina. With the Wolfpack on the bubble again this year, it is vital that it comes away with at least two wins during this three-game stretch.
Johnson has proven he can shine in the spotlight in big games this year. The Cleveland, Ohio native had 22 points and six assists against Memphis on Thanksgiving, and 17 points and 10 assists on the road against Auburn. Johnson’s best game of the season came in a game earlier this season that felt like a must win for NC State against Notre Dame, where he scored 27 points and dished out seven assists.
This is the version of Markell Johnson that the Wolfpack will need down the stretch if it wants to reach the NCAA tournament for the second time in three years under Keatts.
In the matchup against Duke, Johnson will go up against one of the nation’s top defensive points guards in Tre Jones. When the Wolfpack plays Florida State, he will go up against Trent Forrest, someone that was second-team All-ACC in the preseason, alongside Johnson. Lastly, against North Carolina, Johnson will get a much anticipated battle with future NBA lottery draft pick Cole Anthony.
There is one thing in common about all three of these games, and it is that Johnson will not have an easy day and will need to be on his best game to deliver the performance NC State needs to push its way to an NCAA tournament bid.
How these games pan out for Johnson, will do a huge part in telling what his legacy will look like as an NC State point guard. Everyone knows the talent that he has. He has proven it before, but in the time where the Wolfpack will need it the most, will he be present? Only time will tell. NC State fans hope that Johnson will bring his best ball.
The first game of this three-game stretch for Johnson and his teammates is Wednesday Feb. 19 inside PNC Arena against Duke. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m., with the game being aired nationally on ESPN. Follow @TechSports on twitter for live updates from the Tobacco Road matchup.
