North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Men's Basketball Travels to ODU
12/1/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Tony Haynes
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Though it has played only five games, the men's basketball team at NC State has already experienced a season's worth of adversity. Key injuries, suspensions and a difficult early season schedule have all taken their toll on a team that was expecting big things when practice began in mid-October.Despite the many trials and tribulations, the Wolfpack has persevered. And when it squares off against Old Dominion (1-5) in Norfolk, Virginia on Saturday night, State (3-2) will be shooting for its third straight win.
"We've never hung our heads, we've not pointed fingers and that's a trademark of our basketball program," said NC State head coach Herb Sendek. "We just keep playing, keep fighting and keep trying to learn. When you play at this level of basketball you're going to have setbacks and adversities. Part of being a young guy trying to learn is making the most of those experiences."
NC State certainly made the most of what it had available in its last two games. Three players-Damien Wilkins, Damon Thornton and Cornelius Williams-wore street clothes in victories over Charleston Southern and Penn State. Freshman forward Michael Bell, who continues to experience problems with tendinitis in his knees, sat out Wednesday's contest against the Nittany Lions.
The personnel shortages have limited Sendek's ability to rotate players in and out of his line-up. And in its last two games, the Wolfpack has gone with a smallish starting line-up featuring guards Anthony Grundy, Archie Miller and Cliff Crawford.
Grundy has made the most of his opportunities all season. The 6-3 junior leads the Pack in scoring (17.6), steals (15), and is tied with Cliff Crawford for the club lead in assists (18).
When it travels to Norfolk, NC State will be facing an Old Dominion squad that has really struggled out of the gate. The Monarchs are 1-5 following a 70-65 loss to St. Joseph's on Wednesday night. The slow start is somewhat uncharacteristic for ODU, which has made two NCAA Tournament appearances in coach Jeff Capel's seven year tenure.
The Monarchs are led by junior guard Pierre Greene, who is averaging 12.3 points per game. Sophomore Rasheed Wright, a 6-5 forward, is putting up just over 10 points per contest. Old Dominion's other starting forward is fifth year senior Andre McCullum, who played one season (1996-97) with the Wolfpack.
Last November at the ESA, NC State defeated Old Dominion 75-61 behind Damon Thornton's 16 points and 10 rebounds.
