North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Basketball by the Numbers
12/6/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
A 5-0 start by the NC State Basketball Team has Pack fans excited. And here's even better news: The statistical feedback indicates that this is a team that still has much room for improvement.
By the numbers:
60 - Roughly the average number of deflections NC State has created on defense in each of its games. This is coach Herb Sendek's most active and athletic Wolfpack team, and it's really showing up on the defensive end of the floor. Anthony Grundy, Marshall Williams, Clifford Crawford and Damien Wilkins have all done a good job of getting out in the passing lanes. The Wolfpack is causing an average of 21 turnovers per game.
28.1% - NC State's shooting percentage from the three-point arc. This is not a great shooting team, but it should be able to move that number up well above 30 percent by mid-January. The Pack hit over 36 percent of its three point attempts last season. It's just a matter of time before Archie Miller, who's just 5-22 from the arc, gets in gear.
60.2% - This is the Pack's free throw percentage. The good news is that NC State has made almost as many free throws (71) as its opponents have attempted (72). All championship teams do a good job of getting to the line-but they also do a good job of cashing in on those opportunities. Damien Wilkins, who's an anemic 8-23, hasn't been able to overcome an 0-5 performance in the opener against Georgia. The slump will pass. The 6-6 freshman has solid mechanics and is very accurate with his free throws in practice.
10.3 - Wilkins' rebound average since Kenny Inge was injured in the Old Dominion game. Wilkins is coming off back to back double figure rebound games.
11.6 - Ron Kelley's scoring average since replacing Inge in the starting line-up. Besides Inge, Kelley is the only regular that has made over 50% of his shots from the floor (20-39).
9 - Number of NC State players that are averaging double figure minutes per game. Only one player, Anthony Grundy, has played more than 30-minutes per contest.
17 - Number of steals Grundy has recorded through five games (3.4 average). Though he's just 6-2 from head to toe, the Louisville native has a reach that's equal to someone who stands 6-6. Long arms, quick hands and great anticipation could make him one of the ACC's best defenders.
3 - Number of three-point shots forward Damon Thornton has attempted this season. He tried only two all of last year.
57.6 - Average number of points the Pack's first five opponents have scored.
17,735 - NC State's average attendance through four home games.
