North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State Begins ACC Stretch-Drive At Maryland
2/3/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Tony Haynes
Heading into the second half of the ACC portion of its schedule, #22 NC State (15-4, 5-3 ACC) is tied with Virginia for second place in the conference standings. If the Pack expects to stay there, it will have to find a way to win on the road.
All five of NC State's conference wins have been recorded at the Entertainment and Sports Arena. Overall, the Wolfpack is a perfect 14-0 on its new home floor.
Away from the ESA, the Pack is just 1-4 with the only win coming at Purdue in early December. Going back to last season, NC State is just one and ten in ACC road games.
And here's the harsh reality: Five of the Wolfpack's final eight games this season will be played in hostile environments, beginning with this Sunday's clash at #25 Maryland (15-6, 4-4).
"We're going to have to learn how to win on the road," said NC State freshman forward Damien Wilkins. "Once post-season play comes around, we won't have a chance to play at home."
Wilkins wasn't around last season when the Pack suffered one the most humiliating losses in program history when it got hammered at Maryland, 94-48. NC State will be looking to snap a 10-game losing streak at Cole Field House this weekend.
"Cole Field House is a very difficult place to play," Wolfpack coach Herb Sendek said. "It's tough, not only because of the special environment that they have, but because year in and year out for the last several, Maryland has had excellent teams. This year is no different. It's going to be a very stern test for our basketball team."
Back on January sixth of this year, Justin Gainey's dramatic last second shot lifted the Pack to a thrilling 68-66 win over the Terps. It marked NC State's first conference win at the Entertainment and Sports Arena.
The Wolfpack hasn't swept Maryland since the 1988-89 campaign.
Other Notes: Wolfpack reserves have outscored opponent reserves 406-211 this season. Sophomore guard Archie Miller has averaged 12.7 ppg coming off the bench in the last three games. Miller does not have a two-point field goal this season. He's 27 of 79 from the floor-and all 27 of his baskets have been 3's. The redshirt sophomore has attempted only eleven shots from inside the arc, going 0-11. Wilkins has made 31 of his last 37 free throw attempts. For the season, he's now shooting 63 percent from the line. After grabbing 12-boards in NC State's win over Florida State on Wednesday, junior Damon Thornton now has five double-figure rebound games this season. Senior Tim Wells made his first appearance in an ACC game when he played six minutes against FSU. NC State has held ten of its opponents to 60-points or less. The Pack leads the league in scoring defense (61.3).
Maryland Notes: Sophomore Juan Dixon leads the team in scoring (17.3) and steals (2.9), is second in assists (3.4) and third in rebounds (5.9). Dixon has averaged 21.8 points over his last six games. The Terps lead the ACC in steals (11.1) and blocked shots (7.6). Maryland has not allowed an opponent to shoot more than 50 percent from the field in a game this season and leads the league in field goal percentage defense (.383).
