North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack's Mad Bomber is Back
10/25/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
During the NC State basketball team's skill workouts this fall, Archie Miller would routinely knock down ten, eleven and sometimes twelve three point baskets in a row. Every day in pre-season practice, it's the same thing. Miller flares off a screen, catches a pass and drills a 25-footer while his teammates shake their heads.
This is the same guy that Wolfpack head coach Herb Sendek has called, "the best shooter I have ever been around."
Miller was gone so long last season that most people forgot he was even a part of the team. It wasn't as easy to forget how much the Pack missed his outside shooting.
Before suffering a season ending back injury, the 5-9 Miller buried 7 of his first 9 three point attempts. But that great start was snuffed out by back surgery, which led to a medical redshirt.
After an eight-month wait that sometimes seemed like eight years, he's finally back.
"It really has been a long, long time," Miller said. "The trip to Italy really eased the pain a little bit. I got some good workouts over there and some good experience working with the team. The extra practice time helped me get back into the flow of things. It gave me a chance to see where I stood and what I needed to work on."
An August trip to Italy, which included four exhibition games, provided the Wolfpack with an opportunity to pull closer together as a team. But just as importantly, it gave Miller a chance to play competitive basketball with his teammates again.
"This is kind of like my freshman year again because I don't know what to expect," he said. "I'm just excited to get back and to have a chance to play."
As a team last season, NC State shot 45.4% from the field and hit 36.8% from three-point range. Miller's mere presence alone should help to improve those numbers. Not only can he nail the three, he can also open up space in the post by stretching a defense.
If that inside-outside interaction clicks, the Wolfpack could be on its way to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1991.
"It's time to start earning things around here," Miller said. "There's no predictions and no talking. This year we're going to learn from our mistakes, work hard every day, and earn the right to see where we stand at the end of the year."
This year, Miller hopes the end will come in March instead of December.
