North Carolina State University Athletics
Wells is Ready
12/15/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The bench is a lonely place to be-especially the end of the bench. NC State senior Tim Wells has become all too familiar with that lonely feeling. The Winston-Salem senior, who has garnered his share of prime time minutes the last two seasons, has been nothing more than a tall cheerleader this year.
Perhaps that's about to change.
It appears that Wells has finally put an injury plagued pre-season behind him. He's ready to play, it's now up to coach Herb Sendek to decide when and how he'll be integrated into NC State's rotation.
"Tim has only practiced a total of eight days, and even on those days he hasn't gone from the beginning to the end," Sendek said. "Until he gets some more repetitions under his belt, we're going to be giving some other guys an opportunity. I think Tim understands that."
Wells almost made an appearance late in Sunday's contest against UNC-Asheville, but when asked by Sendek if he wanted in, he made the decision to sit out for at least one more game.
When he does return, Wells should provide some much-needed perimeter shooting. So far this season, the Wolfpack is shooting an anemic 28 percent from the three point range. Last year, Wells connected on 40 percent of his three point shots. He also nailed 88.3 percent of his free throw attempts last season.
Not far behind Wells is forward Kenny Inge, who is making a rapid recovery from a partially torn MCL in his left knee. The 6-8 junior, who was injured in the Pack's second game against Old Dominion on November 23rd, practiced for about an hour on Tuesday. If all goes well, Inge could return later this month.
NC State will be looking to up its record to 7-0 when it entertains dangerous Liberty on Friday night. The Flames, who come in with a 7-1 mark, have already recorded impressive road wins at Virginia Tech and Richmond.
