North Carolina State University Athletics
Tulane Game Notes
3/13/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
NIT First Round
NC State Wolfpack (17-12, 6-10) vs. Tulane Green Wave (20-10, 8-8)
Radio: Wolfpack-Capitol Sports Network (36 stations - WPTF 680AM flagship)
Gary Hahn (Play-by-Play) and Tony Haynes (color)
Coverage begins 30 minutes prior to tip-off.
NC STATE IN THE NIT
NC State is competing in the NIT for the fourth straight season. It is the 10th time the Pack has played in the postseason NIT and the Wolfpack's 27th postseason appearance overall. The Wolfpack advanced to the championship of the NIT in 1978, before falling to Texas. The Pack is 10-9 in its 19 NIT games.
Last year, NC State defeated Providence, 92-86, in the first round before falling to Princeton, 61-58, in the second round. The Pack also advanced to the second round of the NIT in 1997 and '98. NC State defeated Kansas State, 59-39, in the first round in 1998, before falling to Georgia, 61-55, in the second round. The Pack also advanced to the second round in 1997, defeating Southwest Missouri State (77-66) and losing to West Virginia (76-73). All six of the Wolfpack's NIT games over the last three years were played in Reynolds Coliseum. The last time an NC State team won at least two games in a postseason tournament (other than the ACC Tournament) was in the 1989 NCAA Tournament. The Pack beat South Carolina (81-66) and Iowa (102-96 2OT) in Providence, R.I., before losing to Georgetown (69-61) in the East Regional semifinals.
The Wolfpack was 4-3 in the regular season against teams in the NIT field this year. The Wolfpack has notched wins over ACC foes Virginia (65-62, 1/12/00 and 76-65, 3/10/00) and Wake Forest (76-56, 1/16/00). NC State also defeated Arizona State (79-68, 1/29/00). The Wolfpack lost to Wake Forest (53-71, 2/15/00), Virginia (82-88, 2/12/00) and Tulane (62-73, 12/22/99).
NC STATE VS. TULANE
NC State and Tulane have met on the hardwood seven times previously with the Wolfpack holding a 6-2 lead in the series. NC State lost to Tulane, 41-24, in the first meeting on Feb. 28, 1925 in Atlanta, Ga., then won won six straight games in the series, including a 74-60 win in Raleigh last season. The teams have met in the postseason once before a 41-24 Tulane win in the 1925 Southern Conference Tournament.
Earlier this season, the Wolfpack held a 36-32 halftime lead, but was unable to hold off Tulane in the second half, falling 62-73 on Dec. 22. The Pack shot just 34.6 percent from the field in the second half and committed 18 turnovers that led to 18 Green Wave points. NC State led by as much as 11 points in the first half. Damien Wilkins led NC State with 15 points and six rebounds.
WOLFPACK INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS
IN THE NIT:
* Justin Gainey: Has played in six career NIT Tournament games * Averaging 7.0 points 3.7 assists in the NIT * Had 14 points in last year's win against Providence, went 9-of-11 from the free throw line in that game * Had 10 points each in win over SW Missouri State and loss to West Virginia freshman year.
* Anthony Grundy: Has played in two career NIT games * Is averaging 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in the NIT * Had 10 points, eight boards, and eight assists against Providence last season * Team-high 21 points in loss to Princeton.
* Kenny Inge: Has played in four career NIT games * Averaging 9.3 points and 7.3 rebounds in the NIT * Had 10 points and five boards in win over Providence last season * Had two double-doubles in NIT his freshman season * Had 12 points and 11 rebounds in win over Kansas State in 97-98 * Finished with 10 points and 10 boards in loss to Georgia.
* Ron Kelley: Has played in four NIT games * Had a team-high 21 points in win over Providence last season * Added 14 points in loss to Princeton * Went 15-of-24 (62.5 percent) from the field in last year's NIT * Had 13 points, going a perfect 6-of-6 from the field his freshman year against Georgia.
* Archie Miller: Played in two NIT games during the 1997-98 season * Averaging 3.0 points in those two games.
* Damon Thornton: Has played in two career NIT games, both last season * Averaging 8.0 points and 5.5 boards in the NIT * Had 10 points and six boards in win over Providence last season.
* Tim Wells: Has played in four career NIT games * Averaging 3.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in the NIT * Had seven points in win over Providence last season.
* Cornelius Williams: Has played in one NIT game * Finished with two points against Kansas State his freshman season.
WILKINS NAMED ALL-TOURNAMENT
NC State freshman forward Damien Wilkins earned second-team all- ACC Tournament honors following two outstanding performances in the Pack's run to the tournament semifinals. Wilkins finished with 36 points while shooting 58.8 percent (10-of-17) from the field and 62.5 percent (5-of-8) from three-point range. He was the only player not from Duke or Maryland named to the all-tournament team.
2000 ACC All-tournament teams First Team Jason Williams, Duke (MVP) Juan Dixon, Maryland Shane Battier, Duke Lonny Baxter, Maryland Chris Carrawell, Duke Second Team Terence Morris, Maryland Carlos Boozer, Duke Mike Dunleavy, Duke Damien Wilkins, NC State Nate James, Duke
GAINEY SETS ACC TOURNAMENT
STEALS MARK
Senior point guard Justin Gainey set an ACC Tournament record with nine steals vs. UVa on March 10. The senior, who also holds the tournament record for minutes played (160 in 1997) ranks fourth all-time in school history with 178 career thefts and ninth in school history with 325 career assists. His nine steals is the highest total by an ACC player this season, passing teammate Anthony Grundy, who had seven steals vs. Georgia on Nov. 19. Gainey's nine steals is the second-highest single-game total by a Wolfpack player and the most in 26 years. Moe Rivers had 10 steals vs. Clemson on Jan. 12, 1974. Only seven players in NC State history rank among the school's top 10 in both career assists and steals. Chris Corchiani holds the school record with 1038 career assists (2nd in NCAA history) and 328 career steals from 1988-91.
GOING TO THE WELL(S)
Senior forward Tim Wells came off the bench to score a season-high nine points vs. Maryland in the ACC Tournament semifinals. Wells finished the game 3-of-6 from three-point range. His three-pointer at the buzzer rimmed out almost sending the game into overtime. Wells' nine points surpassed his total from the rest of the season. Over the past three games Wells has seen more action, averaging nearly 11 minutes per game. Prior to that, he had appeared in just nine games this season, playing 4.7 minutes per game. Wells started 22 games last year, averaging 8.2 ppg. He was slowed for much of the preseason this year by tendintis in both knees, then dislocated his left shoulder.
KELLEY RETURNS TO FORM
After missing six games following knee surgery, center Ron Kelley averaged 13.5 points in two ACC Tournament games, making 12-of-17 (70.6 percent) from the field. He had 16 points vs. UVa in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals, then finished with 121 points vs. Maryland in the semifinals. Kelley also pulled down an average of 6.5 rebounds per game. He averaged 30 mpg in the tournament, after playing an average of 17 mpg in three games since returning from his knee injury. He underwent surgery on Jan. 30 to repair damaged cartilage in his left knee.
PACK FINDS SHOOTING TOUCH
NC State set a school ACC Tournament record by shooting a season-high 61 percent (25-of-41) from the field vs. UVa on March 10. The last time NC State shot better than 61 percent in a game was against Campbell on Nov. 18, 1998, when the Pack hit 63 percent (34-of-54) from the field. NC State had shot 40.2 percent (47-of-117) in its previous two games.
BENCH PRODUCTIVE AGAIN
After averaging just 9.0 ppg during the previous eight games, NC State's reserves averaged 17 points in the ACC Tournament. Prior to injuries to top reserves Marshall Williams and Ron Kelley, NC State's bench had been contributing an average of 20.7 ppg. The Wolfpack has played at least nine people in 28 of 29 games this season. The Pack's game at Georgia Tech (Feb. 24) was the first time this season that less than nine players have played in a game for NC State. Wolfpack reserves have outscored opponent reserves 512-345 for the season.
THORNTON SPRAINS ANKLE
Junior Damon Thornton suffered a sprained left ankle in the second half of the Pack's ACC Tournament game vs. UVa. He missed the semifinal game vs. Maryland and is listed as day-to-day. Thornton is averaging 9.9 points and 7.6 rebounds this season and ranks among league leaders in rebounding (6th) and blocked shots (1.6, 6th). He has finished in double-figures 15 times this season which is more than the total of his previous two seasons combined.
WILLIAMS AVAILABLE FOR ACTION
NC State freshman Marshall Williams was cleared to return to action prior to the ACC Tournament after missing a month due to knee surgery. Williams did not play in either ACC Tournament game, but was dressed and available. The 6-4 guard was one of the Wolfpack's top reserves prior to the injury. A versatile defender, Williams was averaging 18.5 mpg. In the Pack's overtime game at Duke on Jan. 19, Williams made the biggest play of his short Wolfpack career, following Justin Gainey's intentionally missed free throw with 0.8 seconds left to send the game into overtime. Williams' driving layup with 3.3 seconds left cut the lead to three points. Williams was named the ACC's Rookie of the Week on Dec. 20 after leading the Pack with 17 points in a win over Liberty.
INJURY BUG BITES AGAIN
With Damon Thornton's sprained ankle, NC State's injury woes over the last four seasons continued. Over the past four seasons, 11 different Wolfpack players have missed a combined 142 games. Two years ago it was foot injuries. This year, four players have missed time with knee problems. Junior Ron Kelley and freshman Marshall Williams both had arthroscopic knee surgery. Williams had surgery to repair a partial tear of meniscus cartilage on Feb. 10 and was expected to miss at least three weeks. Thornton suffered a crack fracture of his right pinky finger prior to the Pack's game at Wake Forest.
Earlier this season, junior forward Kenny Inge suffered a partial tear of his medial collateral ligament in his left knee and missed four games from Nov. 26-Dec. 17. The injury did not require surgery. Senior forward Tim Wells missed much of the preseason due to tendinitis in his left knee, then dislocated his left shoulder shortly after returning to practice.
Here is a look at NC State's injuries over the past four seasons:
Player Injury Season (Games) Damon Thornton sprained ankle 1999-00 (1) Marshall Williams knee 1999-00 (9) Ron Kelley knee 1999-00 (6) Kenny Inge knee 1999-00 (4) Tim Wells knee, shoulder 1999-00 (3) Cornelius Williams foot 1998-99 (1) Adam Harrington sprained ankle 1998-99 (1) Damon Thornton hip/groin 1998-99 (0*) Archie Miller back surgery 1998-99 (30) Justin Gainey strained back muscle 1997-98 (3) Damon Thornton broken foot (right) 1997-98 (29) Ron Anderson broken foot (left) 1997-98 (27) Ron Kelley sprained foot (right) 1997-98 (7) Tim Wells stress fract., shoulder 1997-98 (5) Luke Buffum broken foot 1997-98 (7) Damon Thornton hip 1996-97 (9) 11 different players 142 total games * did not practice regularly until Jan. 1
GRUNDY IN SHOOTING SLUMP
Sophomore guard Anthony Grundy, who leads NC State in scoring at 13.4 ppg this season, is in the midst of a shooting slump. The 6-2 guard from Louisville, Ky., has made just 13-of-53 (24.5 percent) from the field in the last four games, including 3-of-20 (15 percent) from three-point range. In addition, Grundy is shooting 9-of-18 (50 percent) from the free-throw line during the stretch. Over the past four games, he is averaging 9.5 ppg and has been in double-figures twice.
CONFERENCE TOURNEY SUCCESS
UNDER SENDEK
NC State has gone 6-4 in the ACC Tournament since Herb Sendek took over as the team's coach in 1996-97. The Wolfpack has not lost its opening game in the tournament in any of Sendek's four seasons as head coach. Sendek's three teams at Miami (Ohio) from 1993-96 also did not lose in the first round of the MAC Tournament, compiling a 4-3 overall MAC Tourney record.
In 1997, eighth-seeded NC State defeated Georgia Tech in the opening round, 60-46, eventually advancing to the tournament finals. A year later, seventh-seeded NC State defeated Florida State, 65-63, in the opening round when Tim Wells blocked a last-second attempt by FSU guard Kerry Thompson. Last season, the fifth-seeded Wolfpack defeated Wake Forest, 66-52, in the opening game.
TIME TO PREPARE
NC State is 12-0 in Herb Sendek's four seasons as the Wolfpack's coach when there is five or more days between games. The Wolfpack is 5-0 this season with five or more days to prepare, notching wins over UNC Asheville (seven days) on Dec. 12, Yale (five days) on Dec. 28, Maryland (six days) on Jan. 6, Florida State (six days) on March 5 and UVa (five days) on March 10.
WILKINS MAKES HIS MARK
Freshman Damien Wilkins' quiet all-around play has snuck up on many. Wilkins is among NC State's top three in scoring (11.0 ppg, 2nd), rebounding (5.9 rpg, 3rd), assists (67, 3rd), blocks (16, 3rd) and steals (37, 3rd). Wilkins is fourth in the ACC in offensive rebounding at 2.72 per game and, in ACC play, ranks 10th in free-throw percentage at 75.4 percent. He has also begun to make his mark in the school record book, ranking among NC State freshmen leaders in several categories.
Wilkins Among NC State Freshmen All-Time Category No. Rank Points 319 11th Scoring Average 11.0 T8th Rebounds 171 5th Rebound Average 5.9 5th Assists 67 6th Steals 37 T5th Free Throws 81 2nd Free Throw Attempts 127 2nd Minutes 915 2nd Games Started 29 T2nd
GRUNDY EARNS COACHES'
ALL-DEFENSIVE HONOR
NC State sophomore guard Anthony Grundy was named to Barry Jacobs' ACC Fan's Guide All-Defensive team, voted on by the league's nine coaches. Grundy ranks third in the ACC in steals, averaging 2.2 per game. His 60 steals is the 13th-highest single-season total in school history. He has also drawn 15 charges this season.
2000 Fan's Guide All-Defensive Team Player, School Votes Shane Battier, Duke 9 Chris Carrawell, Duke 9 Juan Dixon, Md. 7 Adam Hall, UVa 4 Anthony Grundy, NCS 3 voted by ACC's head coaches
PICKPOCKETS
NC State had 14 steals vs. Florida State on March 5, its highest total in ACC play this season. Freshman Damien Wilkins had five steals, a season-high, while Anthony Grundy had three steals. NC State is averaging 9.4 steals per game this season, third in the ACC. NC State has had double-digit steals in 11 games this season, including three conference games. The Pack had 19 steals against Liberty (Dec. 17), the second-highest single-game total in school history.
WHEN GAINEY'S IN DOUBLE-FIGURES
NC State is 27-8 over the past four years when point guard Justin Gainey finishes in double-figures in scoring, 9-3 this season. Gainey has been in double-figures in three of the past four games, averaging 12.5 ppg while shooting 18-of-33 (54.5 percent) from the field and 50 percent (7-of-14) from three-point range. Gainey had a team-high 17 points vs. Clemson (Feb. 27) in his final home game, while also adding three assists and no turnovers. Against Florida State, Gainey finished with 16 points (7-of-9 shooting). He had 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting vs. UVa in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.
FIXTURE
Many ACC followers remember Gainey as the baby-faced freshman who played every minute of the 1997 ACC Tournament as the eighth-seeded Wolfpack made a run to the championship game. Gainey became the first player in ACC history to play all 40 minutes in four tournament games. Now the team's senior captain, he ranks fourth all-time in school history in minutes played (since 1984) with 3,693 minutes logged. For his career, Gainey has played an average of 30 mpg (123 games).
NC State Career Minutes Played
Player Minutes Years
1. Chris Corchiani 4097 1988-91
2. Rodney Monroe 3989 1988-91
3. Ishua Benjamin 3782 1995-98
4. Justin Gainey 3693 1997-
5. Curtis Marshall 3323 1992-96
NOTE: minutes kept since 1984
PACK BREAKS LOSING STREAK AT FSU
NC State's 70-51 win at Florida State broke a seven game losing streak, the fifth-longest slide in school history. It was the Pack's first-ever win in Tallahassee in 10 tries and the first conference road victory since defeating Georgia Tech, 51-50, on Feb. 2, 1999 (a string of 10 games). It was NC State's biggest road win since a 21-point victory (67-46) over Memphis on Nov. 30, 1997. The victory marked the biggest ACC road win since NC State defeated Maryland, 90-67, on Jan. 29, 1989. Prior to the seven-game streak, NC State's last victory was also against FSU, a 68-58 home win on Feb. 2. The Wolfpack lost a school-record nine consecutive games during the 1991-92 season.
ANOTHER OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE
EFFORT VS. 'NOLES
NC State's defense was the catalyst in its win at Florida State. The Pack held FSU to 33.9 percent (19-of-56) shooting, the worst shooting by an NC State opponent since the Seminoles shot 32.7 percent in the teams' first meeting this season. NC State held FSU without a field goal for 9:29. The Wolfpack has held 11 opponents without a field goal for stretches of seven minutes or more this season and three opponents without a field goal for more than 10 minutes. Old Dominion was held without a field goal for a season-high 14:57. In the first meeting vs. FSU this season, the Noles were held without a field goal three times for stretches of at least six minutes.
The Pack held FSU's Ron Hale, who went 0-of-7 from the field, scoreless for the first time in 67 games. Hale was averaging 16.3 ppg entering the contest. NC State also forced FSU into 20 turnovers, the highest total by a Wolfpack opponent since Virginia committed 20 turnovers on Jan. 12. Nine NC State opponents have had 20 or more turnovers in a game this season.
SECOND-HALF DEFENSE COSTLY
DURING LOSING STREAK
The Wolfpack's defense in the second half was costly during its seven-game losing streak. Opponents shot 50.8 percent from the field compared to just 43.4 percent in the first eight ACC games. NC State held first-half leads in five of those seven games, while holding opponents to 43 percent (86-of-200) shooting in the first half. In the second half of those games however, opponents shot 53.6 percent (104-of-194). The Pack also forced 9.3 turnovers in the first half of those games compared to just 6.3 TOs in the second half.
HOLDING ON
During its seven-game losing stretch, NC State held leads with six minutes left in four of those seven games. The Wolfpack also had scoreless droughts of more than five minutes in four of those seven games.
Opponent NCSU Scoring Drought Maryland 3:54 North Carolina 5:09 Virginia 4:57 Wake Forest 5:33 Duke 3:36 Georgia Tech 6:42 Clemson 5:57 Opponent Score (Time) Run Score (Time) Maryland 65-53 (6:44, 2nd) 25-8 73-78 (Final) North Carolina 20-12 (8:07, 1st) 28-14 34-40 (13:50) Virginia 66-65 (6:07, 2nd) 13-2 68-78 (1:52) Georgia Tech 42-31 (14:52, 2nd) 19-2 44-50 (9:01) Clemson 59-49 (7:09, 2nd) 13-0 59-62 (1:45)
PUTTING A FINGER ON IT
Since breaking the pinky finger on his right (shooting) hand prior to the Pack's game vs. Wake Forest (Feb. 15), junior Damon Thornton has made just 15-of-46 (32.6 percent) from the field. Thornton entered the game vs. the Deacs second in school history in field goal percentage shooting. He currently ranks third in school history, making 55.6 percent (278-of-500) for his career. He has been more aggressive on the offensive end this season, averaging 7.8 shot attempts per game this season. Prior to this season, Thornton had averaged 4.8 field-goal attempts per game.
GRUNDY'S SCORING BINGE
Sophomore guard Anthony Grundy had 26 points vs. Duke (Feb. 19), then followed that performance with 29 points at Georgia Tech (Feb. 24), the second-highest outing of his career. In those two games, he shot 59.5 percent (22-of-37) from the field and 46.1 percent (6-of-13) from three-point range. Grundy has eclipsed the 20-point barrier three times this season and has been in double-figures 21 times in 25 games. He matched a career-high with four made three-pointers vs. Georgia Tech (also had four vs. Wake Forest on Jan. 16 en route to a career-high 30 points). Against Duke, Grundy attempted a career-high 21 field goals.
PLAYING BIG
Though he measures barely 6-2, Grundy plays much bigger. His wingspan is 6-6 (from fingertip to fingertip) while most people's is equal to their height. Those long arms have paid off on the glass, where Grundy is averaging nearly five rebounds per game this season. Grundy is tied for third in the ACC in steals, averaging 2.1 per game. He had a season-best seven steals vs. Georgia, the highest total by an ACC player this season. He has also drawn a team-high 15 charges this season.
BALANCED ATTACK
NC State has used a balanced scoring attack this season. Anthony Grundy is averaging a team-best 13.4 ppg this season, while Damien Wilkins is averaging 11 ppg. Damon Thornton (9.9), Kenny Inge (9.4), Justin Gainey (9.0) and Ron Kelley (8.7) are each averaging better than eight points per game. Eight different players have held team scoring honors this season and five different players have had 20-point outings. The last time NC State had more than three players average in double figures for a season was in 1990-91 when Rodney Monroe (27.0 ppg), Chris Corchiani (16.3 ppg), Tom Gugliotta (15.2 ppg) and Bryant Feggins (13.3 ppg) each averaged in double figures.
GETTING TO THE LINE IMPORTANT
NC State is 15-2 this season when attempting more free throws than its opponents in games, 2-10 when getting to the line fewer times than foes. The Wolfpack's only losses this season when attempting more free throws than its opponent were against Clemson on Feb. 27 and vs. Maryland in the ACC Tournament (March 11).
DOING IT DEFENSIVELY
Defense has been the catalyst to NC State's 17 wins this season. NC State is holding opponents to a league-low 63.9 ppg. Wolfpack opponents are shooting 41.9 percent from the field, while committing an average of 19 turnovers per game. Twenty-four of NC State's 28 opponents have committed at least 15 TOs, led by Liberty's 31 turnovers, the most by a Wolfpack opponent since Florida Atlantic had 35 turnovers on Nov. 22, 1996.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
In regular season games, Wilkins rates fifth among ACC freshmen in scoring (10.5 ppg) and second in rebounding (6.2 rpg), keeping up his family's basketball tradition. His father, Gerald Wilkins, is UT-Chattanooga's second leading career scorer with 1,449 points in three seasons (1982-85). Gerald, who attended Mobley (Mo.) Junior College before going to UT-C, averaged 12.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in his first season at Chattanooga. Uncle Dominque Wilkins averaged 18.6 ppg and 6.5 rpg in 16 games as a freshman at Georgia (1980-82), missing 11 games with a knee injury. Damien's 55 assists this season is more than his uncle and father had in their freshmen seasons combined.
Wilkins'S FIRST Seasons Name G FG% FT% R-Avg. A B S PTS-AVG Damien Wilkins 26 .400 .632 161-6.2 55 15 32 272-10.5 Gerald Wilkins 30 .483 .661 113-3.8 24 6 46 379-12.6 Dominique Wilkins 16 .525 .730 104-6.5 23 20 27 297-18.6
KELLEY'S ABSENCE FELT
NC State was outrebounded in four of the seven games that Ron Kelley was sidelined after being outrebounded just four times before his knee injury. Kelley, who was averaging 9.5 points and 4.3 rebounds before the injury, missed five games and saw just three minutes of action against Arizona State due to the injury. Opposing centers (Lonnie Baxter, Brendan Haywood, Travis Watson, Darius Songaila and Carlos Boozer) averaged 21.2 points and 8.0 rebounds while he was out. Also during the stretch, NC State opponents scored an average of 31.9 *Points in the Paint* compared to just 21.7 *Points in the Paint* in other games this season.
Points in Paint NCS OPP before Kelley injury 29.1 22.6 during Kelley injury 30.0 31.9 Total = -8.4 points difference 2nd chance pts NCS OPP before Kelley injury 15.9 12.5 during Kelley injury 13.0 13.4 Total = -3.8 points difference REBOUNDS NCS OPP MARGIN before Kelley injury 38.1 34.1 +4.0 during Kelley injury 35.1 38.1 -3.0 OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS NCS OPP MARGIN before Kelley injury 14.9 11.8 +3.1 during Kelley injury 12.3 13.1 -0.8
CRAWFORD CHIPS IN
With Ron Kelley and Marshall Williams sidelined with injuries, freshman guard Clifford Crawford has seen more action lately, averaging 15.3 minutes in the last six games. Crawford was averaging just 6.2 minutes per game. He finished with season-highs in points (12) rebounds (8) and assists (3) vs. UVa, higher totals than he had in every other ACC game combined.
DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Thornton recorded his fifth double-double of the season at Florida State, finishing with 14 points and 11 rebounds. He is sixth in the ACC this season in double-doubles and has 11 career double-doubles. Thornton also had double-doubles vs. Western Carolina (11-13), Yale (16-10), Old Dominion (16-10) and Maryland (12-11). He has had double-digit rebounds in two other games as well vs. Florida State (12 rebs.) and Liberty (10 rebs.). Kenny Inge ranks third in the ACC with 16 career double-doubles but does not have a double-double this season. Inge had 10 boards at Maryland and Florida State.
ROAD WOES
NC State is 14-3 in the ESA this season, just 2-8 on the road. NC State opponents are scoring just 59.1 ppg in the ESA and 72 ppg on their home floors, while shooting 39.5 percent in the ESA and 45.7 percent on their home floors.
Category ESA road DIFF. Scoring 71.1 66.9 -4.2 NC State Field Goal % 43.6% 41.9% -1.7 NC State Three-Point % 33.8% 31.3% -2.5 Turnovers 14.9 17.6 +2.7 Opponent Scoring 59.1 72.0 +12.9 Opponent Field Goal % 39.5% 45.7% +6.2 Opponent Three-Point % 33.2% 31.7% -1.5 Opponent Turnovers 19.7 17.5 -2.2
SWAT WATCH
NC State had a season-best 11 blocks vs. Maryland on Feb. 6, its highest total since blocking 11 shots vs. UNC-A in a 99-60 win on Jan. 22, 1990. The last time NC State blocked more than 11 shots in a game was on Feb. 8, 1988, when the Pack had 12 swats vs. Baptist. Center Damon Thornton ranks sixth all-time in school history with 110 career blocks. He has 44 blocks this season, matching the 10th highest single-season total in school history.
GRUNDY NETS CAREER-HIGH
30 POINTS VS WAKE
Grundy scored a career-high 30 points in the Pack's 76-56 win over Wake Forest on Jan. 16. His 30 points was the highest single-game scoring effort by a Wolfpack player since C.C. Harrison scored 31 points at North Carolina on Feb. 21, 1998.
GAINEY'S GAME-WINNERS
Justin Gainey's 12-footer with 1.8 seconds left against Maryland on Jan. 6 was the senior point guard's third game-winning shot in the last two seasons. Earlier this season, Gainey knocked in a three-pointer with 14 seconds left at Purdue. That shot looked strikingly similar to the senior's game-winner at Georgia Tech last season. Against the Yellow Jackets, Gainey slipped behind a ball screen and drained a three-pointer with 15 seconds left to give Wolfpack a 51-50 lead. Gainey then stole Tech's inbounds pass with two seconds left to seal the win.
LONG-RANGE BOMBER
Sophomore guard Archie Miller made his first two-pointers of the season vs. North Carolina on Feb. 9, finishing with four points. Miller is 3-of-21 from inside the arc this season, 36-of-98 (36.7 percent) beyond it. Ninety-eight of his 117 career field goals have been from three-point range.
IF YOU BUILD IT
NC State's attendance skyrocketed in the 19,722-seat ESA this season. Since moving from 12,400-seat Reynolds Coliseum, the Pack set a single-season mark for attendance with 290,594 in 17 homes games. The previous best for season attendance was 188,282 in 18 home games during the 1987-88 season. NC State is averaging 17,094 fans per game this season compared to a previous best of 12,120 fans in 10 home games during the 1974-75 season. For ACC games the average attendance is 19,027. This year's average attendance has increased 6,294 per game. NC State ranked 30th in the nation last year in Division I attendance, averaging 10,800 spectators per game. Based on last year's figures, NC State would rank among the top eight schools in the nation in average attendance.
NONCONFERENCE WIN
STREAK EXTENDED
With its 79-68 win over Arizona State on Jan. 29, NC State has now won 47 straight regular-season games against nonconference opponents at home. The Wolfpack's last loss in the regular season to a nonconference opponent at home was Dec. 10, 1994, when the Pack fell 96-91 to third-ranked Kansas. Since Herb Sendek took over as NC State's head coach in 1996, NC State is 32-0 against nonconference foes at home during the regular season. NC State did drop postseason NIT games against West Virginia (76-73, 3/17/97), Georgia (61-55, 3/17/98) and Princeton (61-58, 3/15/99). In the 90's, NC State is 70-11 against nonconference foes at home during the regular season.
BACK IN THE TOP 25
NC State was ranked No. 21 in the AP Poll and No. 25 in the coaches' poll on Jan. 24, marking the first time NC State has been in both polls since Dec. 12, 1989, when the Pack was No. 15 in the UPI poll and No. 16 in the AP. The No. 21 ranking in the AP poll was NC State's highest ranking since being No. 19 in the Jan. 16, 1990 top 20. Earlier this season, NC State was ranked No. 25 in the AP poll on Dec. 20, but fell out of the rankings following its loss to Tulane on Dec. 22. It had been 293 games (3,618 days) since NC State was ranked in the top 25.
HOME-GROWN TALENT IN FALL CLASS
In a year when North Carolina's high school senior class is considered the strongest ever, NC State announced the signing of the state's top three prospects. Michael Bell, 6-9 of Raleigh, Marcus Melvin, 6-9 of Fayetteville, and Scooter Sherrill, 6-3 of Mt. Ulla, each signed a national letter-of-intent to attend NC State next year during the fall signing period. "The signing of these three players is somewhat unprecedented in my memory, as far as getting the top three players in the state of North Carolina," said recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons, who ranks all three players among his national top 50 seniors. Sherrill, who led West Rowan High to the state 2-A title as a freshman and the state 3-A championship game last season, was rated No. 17 nationally by Recruiter's Handbook. He averaged 23 points, six rebounds and four assists last season, making 53 percent of his field-goal attempts and 81 percent from the free-throw line. He finished as the third-leading scorer at last summer's USA Basketball Youth Development Festival in Colorado Springs, Colo., averaging 17.8 points per game. Sherrill had 22 points, nine assists and six rebounds to lead the South team to a 124-108 win in the gold-medal game. Bell also played in the USA Basketball Festival, averaging 12.2 points and 4.6 rebounds while leading all players in field-goal shooting at 63.4 percent. As a junior at Enloe High, he averaged 24 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks per game, An outstanding outside shooter capable of playing either forward position according to Gibbons, who ranks Bell 46th nationally Melvin averaged 21.2 points and 13 rebounds as a junior at Byrd High. He was the most dominant player at the N.C. Scouting Alliance Mid-Summer. Gibbons ranks Melvin No. 42 nationally.
