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NC State coach Kevin Keatts tears patellar tendon playing pickup

Duke v North Carolina State

RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 06: Head coach Kevin Keatts of the North Carolina State Wolfpack reacts during their game against the Duke Blue Devils at PNC Arena on January 6, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

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Kevin Keatts is going to be spending at least part of his off-season in recuperation.

The North Carolina State coach suffered a torn right patellar tendon Wednesday while playing pickup basketball and had successful surgery Thursday, PackPride.com reports.

Keatts, who went 3-0 in pickup games Wednesday according to the report, is likely looking at 4-to-6 months of recovery time before he’s back playing rather than just coaching.

Perhaps Keatts can spend some of his time on the mend commiserating with Texas Tech coach Chris Beard, who suffered a torn ACL during last season. If the Pack can get to the Elite Eight next season like the Red Raiders did after Beard’s injury, maybe it’s an ailment Keatts won’t mind too much in the long run.

NC State went 21-12 in Keatts’ first year in Raleigh after three seasons, including two NCAA tournament appearances, at UNC-Wilmington.