North Carolina State University Athletics
Is the Pack Back?
11/16/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By DAVID DROSCHAK
AP Sports Writer
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Is the Pack back?
After a turbulent decade that included the ouster of Jim Valvano, probation and a pair of trips to the ACC cellar, indications point to a rebirth of the North Carolina State basketball program.
The team will move into a new 19,000-seat arena on Friday, the Wolfpack has the nation's No. 1 recruit in Damien Wilkins, and the team is coming off its best Atlantic Coast Conference finish since '91 with five starters returning.
"I think we have gained momentum," said coach Herb Sendek, who has guided the team to three NITs in his first three seasons in Raleigh.
N.C. State, 19-14 a season ago, should have one of the best frontlines in the league with juniors Kenny Inge, Ron Kelley and a 100 percent healthy Damon Thornton. Although none is taller than 6-foot-9, all three can get up and down the court.
"We're not a real big team by ACC standards, but what we don't have in sheer size we have the ability to make up for in quickness," Sendek said. "We'll be one of the more agile teams. Our niche is athletically."
The 6-8 Inge had his troubles with his temper on and off the court last season, but Sendek believes he has matured and could be one of the league's budding stars. Inge also put on 20 pounds of muscle over the summer.
"Arguably, Kenny had the best offseason of anybody in our program," Sendek said. "He literally transformed his body. We sat down at the end of the season and said 205 was just too light in the pants for the level of competition he was facing and the size of the guys be was going again. He looks like a different person physically."
And mentally?
"I've always had a special place in my heart for Ken," Sendek said. "I am excited about his development in all areas."
Meanwhile, the 240-pound Thornton has shaken off two straight seasons of injuries and appears ready to blossom.
"For the first time in anybody's memory Damon has been healthy for a consistent period of time. We're excited about that," Sendek said. "Not only does Damon have the opportunity to refine and sharpen his own tools, but it is a team game and being able to play together with the guys you're going to be with on game night is really important."
Wilkins gives the Wolfpack something it has been lacking -- a wing player who can score as well as defend. If needed, the 6-6 freshman from Orlando, Fla., could also spell some of the team's small forwards.
"He brings wonderful character to our program," Sendek said of his star recruit. "He is very grounded. He has handled himself admirably well."
Senior point guard Justin Gainey returns to add stability to a backcourt that also includes Anthony Grundy and 3-point shooter Archie Miller. Grundy turned into the team's scoring ace down the stretch last season with a variety of moves to the basket, while Miller returns after missing last year because of back surgery.
The 6-foot Gainey isn't much of a scorer and is an average defender because of his height. But he's a workhorse who logs 35 minutes a game and was sixth in the ACC in assist-turnover ratio.
He was also one of the few steadying forces on an offense that at times bogged down in the half-court game.
"My job is to do whatever I can to help the team win, whether it's on defense or handing out assists," Gainey said. "With our experience, when we need to get a bucket this year we should be able to do it and know where to go to get it."
Besides maybe Georgia Tech, the Wolfpack has the most experience in the league, a valuable commodity in one of the nation's toughest conferences.
"The more experience you have in one sense the faster you can go, but at the same time it is important that you go at a pace that allows the newcomers to get integrated into your program," Sendek said. "You never want to dismiss the importance of the building blocks and the fundamentals with any team."
N.C. State has won two national titles, but the program has only made the NCAA tournament 14 times since 1954. It's no secret this year's team is aiming for the field of 64.
"That is more the big picture," Gainey said. "In order to do that you've got to do the little things -- that's from being to practice on time to practicing hard. You also have to play that game and not worry about the next game. In order to get to the big picture you've got to take small steps."
Miller put it another way.
"One thing we can't do is have a mindset that we have everybody back and we have a good freshman class so that means we're there now," Miller said. "Nobody is going to give us anything. We've got to work harder than everybody."
The Wolfpack opens its new arena Friday against Georgia.
