North Carolina State University Athletics
Gary's Game Notes: NC State vs. Temple
1/25/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 25, 2002
TEMPLE (6-11) at NC STATE (15-4)
DATE: Saturday, January 26, 2002 @ Entertainment & Sports Arena (19,722)
TIME: Tip-off: 12:00 p.m. EST
RADIO: Wolfpack Capitol Sports Network.
AIRTIME: 11:30 a.m. EST
TELEVISION: ESPN (National)
OPPONENT-- The Richmond Spiders used a web full of perimeter shots to rally and beat Temple 75-68 Wednesday night in Philadelphia. Richmond sank 14 three-point baskets to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit. The Spiders's defense held the Owls to just seven field goals in the second half and 25 percent shooting, outscoring Temple 44-27 over the final 20-minutes. The loss to Richmond marked the first time since the 1991-92 season that the Owls dropped three consecutive Atlantic 10 Conference games.
David Hawkins scored nine straight points as Temple took a 27-20 first half lead and sophomore Brian Polk added five more as the Owls extended the cushion to nine, 32-23. Temple's lead grew to 37-26 on a three-point basket by Hawkins and the Owls went into halftime with a 41-31 advantage thanks to a season high 15-for-23 (65.2%) shooting effort from the field.
With Temple maintaining a 10-point lead at 50-40 with 14:13 remaining, the Spiders made their run. A three-point basket by Mike Skrocki and a fast-break lay-up by Jonathan Collins cut the deficit to 50-45. Following a Kevin Lyde putback, Temple led 60-55 with 6:23 left. Unfortunately for the Owls, it would be their last basket for the evening. Richmond finally took the lead 62-60 on a three-pointer by Skrocki and the Owls never caught up.
All-America candidate Lynn Greer and Hawkins led Temple in scoring with 23 points each while senior Kevin Lyde posted eight rebounds. For Richmond, Skrocki scored a career high 25 points.
The Owls have had problems offensively this season. They are shooting only .403 from the field and average 67.4 points a game. Temple uses basically a four guard lineup led by Greer, but can go bigger when 6-10, 295 pound senior, Ron Rollerson comes off the bench. Greer is averaging 39.4 minutes a game and scores 33 percent of the team's points, but is shooting only .402 from the field. Against Wisconsin on December 3rd , Greer ripped the nets for 47 points and is capable of taking over a game at any time.
Hawkins, who was academically ineligible during the first semester, has been a welcome addition since December 18th. He's averaged 35 minutes a game and has brought more offensive punch to the lineup. Lyde is the workhorse inside for Temple. He's the leading rebounder for the Owls and can also score. He had 10 points and 13 rebounds against Maryland on November 9th.
Defensively, Temple employs a match-up zone and is holding opponents to 68 points a game. The Owls average almost 9 steals a game, but force only 13.7 turnovers a contest.
PROBABLE TEMPLE STARTERS
03 Brian Polk G 6'4 So. 7.6 ppg. 3.9 rpg. 0.4 apg.
34 David Hawkins G 6'4 So. 14.4ppg. 5.4 rpg. 1.6 apg.
42 Kevin Lyde C 6'10 Sr. 8.1 ppg. 7.1 rpg. 1.2*
14 Lynn Greer G 6'2 Sr. 22.2ppg. 2.9 rpg. 4.5 apg.
21 Nile Murry G 6'4 Fr. 8.1 ppg. 4.0 rpg. 1.9 apg.
TOP RESERVES:
23 Alex Wesby F 6'6 Sr. 11.1ppg. 4.9 rpg. 0.5 apg.
30 Ron Rollerson C 6'10 Sr. 4.5 ppg. 5.6 rpg. 1.5*
01 Greg Jefferson F 6'5 Jr. 0.7 ppg. 2.2 rpg. 0.2 apg.
04 Glen Elliott F 6'9 Fr. 1.0 ppg. 1.6 rpg. 0.0 apg.
* Blocked shots per game
A WIN--Would give the Wolfpack its fourth straight victory, sixth in the last seven games and sixth in-a-row over Temple in the series which started in 1950-51. The Pack would improve its home record this season to 11-3 and its non-conference record to 11-2, including six straight non-conference wins.
A LOSS--Would break a three-game NC State winning streak, drop the Wolfpack to 15-5 overall, and mark Temple's first win over NC State in the series which began in 1950-51 . The Owls would break a three-game overall losing streak while the Wolfpack would drop to 10-4 at home and 10-3 against non-conference teams this season, breaking a five game non-conference win streak.
BOMBS AWAY--During its three-game winning streak, NC State has combined to shoot an impressive 30-75 from the three-point arc (.400). NC State is shooting .333 from the arc against all opponents this season.
WHEN SHOTS FALL, SO DO OPPONENTS -- NC State has shot 50 percent or better in six games this season and won all six. In 7 ACC games, the Wolfpack has shot a combined .432 from the field (178-412). NC State is 9-4 when it has shot below 50 percent and is still looking for its first 50 percent shooting effort in an ACC game this season. Temple is shooting .403 from the field.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CHARITY --NC State's free throw shooting has really improved this season. The Pack is shooting .731 from the charity stripe (283-387) overall and .704 in ACC games (107-152). Last season, the Pack shot .673 from the line. Temple is shooting .635 from the foul stripe.
ASSISTS UP... TURNOVERS DOWN--In 15 of 19 games this season, NC State has recorded more assists than turnovers. That happened only 8 times last season. In addition, the Pack is averaging only 12.8 turnovers a game (244). Last season, the Wolfpack turned the ball over nearly 17 times a contest. Temple is averaging 10 assists and 11.5 turnovers a game.
DEFENSE TO OFFENSE --NC State scored 17 points off 16 UNC turnovers on 1/23 and is forcing an average of 17.5 turnovers a contest (333). The Pack is averaging 18.4 points off turnovers in its seven ACC games (129). Temple is forcing opponents into 14 turnovers a game.
BANGING THE BOARDS --For a team that did not expect rebounding to be a strength, the Wolfpack has held its own in conference play. In 7 ACC games the Pack is trailing slightly on the boards 235-242 but holds a 82-63 edge on the offensive glass. For the season, NC State is holding an average edge vs. opponents of 35-33 on the boards. Temple is being outrebounded 36.1 to 37.4 a game and is averaging 13 offensive rebounds.
PINE POINTS-- The Wolfpack's young, but deep bench is averaging 20.4 points a game (388) this season. Freshmen have accounted for more than 40 percent of the team's total minutes played.
NEXT FOR THE PACK-- NC State will host Wake Forest in an ACC game on Wednesday, January 30, 2002. The game will be carried live on the Wolfpack Capitol Sports Network with an airtime of 7:00 p.m. EST.
ARCHIE MILLER-- Scored a season high 20-points at UNC on 1/23 on 5 of 9 shooting. Despite a sore left leg, the senior leader continues to help the Pack. In his last four games, he's averaged 11.5 points (46), 2.8 assists (11) with only 7 turnovers. To avoid the recurrence of a stress fracture in his left leg, the Wolfpack captain's practice time is extremely limited. After missing 9 games last season with a stress fracture, extra precautions are being taken to enhance the chances of keeping Miller in the line-up for the remainder of the season. Prior to the injury, Miller led the team in minutes and assists per game. He continues to lead in free throw shooting (.829) and is No. 2 in assists (66) and steals (27). He leads the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio with a 3.0-to-1mark and has only 14 turnovers in his last 14 games. The fifth-year senior is fourth in the school record book for career three-point field goals made (181). He needs three more threes to pass Tom Gugliotta and move into third place. Miller is seventh in career three-point percentage at .423 (181-428).
ANTHONY GRUNDY-- After he was held to 7 points by Duke on 1/13 Grundy has elevated his game to a higher level. In his last three games, Grundy has averaged 22points (66), 6.3 rebounds (19), 5.3 assists (16) and 3.6 steals (11) while shooting .571 from the field (24-42) and .466 from the three-point arc (7-15). In ACC games this season, Grundy is averaging 18.3 points (128), 4.3 assists (30) and 3.6 steals (25). The senior guard had possibly his finest game in a Wolfpack uniform at Syracuse on December 8th when he finished with 26 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals while shooting 10-16 from the field. Currently, he leads the team in scoring (15.8 ppg.), steals (49), minutes (31.4) and is No. 2 in rebounding (5.3). The Louisville, Ky., native ranks third in school history with 218 career steals (needs three more to pass Sidney Lowe) and is 7th in career three-pointers made (143).
JULIUS HODGE-- The 2001 McDonalds and Parade High School All-American game the Pack a boost at UNC on 1/23 with 13 points and 3 assists on 5 of 9 shooting from the field. Hodge struggled in 3 previous ACC games, averaging 4.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists during that stretch while shooting .166 from the field (3-18) and .222 from the three-point arc (2-9). He led the Pack at UVA with a career-high 21 points on 7-8 field goal shooting and recorded 14 points and 12 rebounds vs. Maryland on 12/30. Overall, he's averaging 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds a game and is currently the Pack's No.2 three-point shooter at .359 (23-64) and is No. 2 in free throw shooting at .758 (50-66). New York's "Mr. Basketball" as a senior and the New York Daily News High School Player of the Year, Hodge averaged 21.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists during his senior year at St. Raymond's High School in Bronx, NY. Rated as the No. 1 shooting guard in the nation by ESPN.com.
MARCUS MELVIN--The sophomore forward has been in a slump the last four games, averaging 4.0 points (16), 3.5 rebounds (14) while shooting .294 from the field (5-17). The Fayetteville native was the Pack's hero at Houston, winning the game with a desperation three-pointer from the left wing at the buzzer. Melvin led NC State in scoring and rebounding in that game with 18 points and 7 boards. He's the Pack's leading rebounder (5.5 rpg.) and is averaging 9.6 points a game (182). In his last 12 games, Melvin is shooting .512 from the field (42-82).
JOSH POWELL-- His tip-in of Anthony Grundy's missed shot with :02 to play was the game-winning basket at Clemson on 1/15. After an early ACC adjustment period, Powell has started to gain confidence. In his last 4 ACC games, He's averaged 8.5 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting .522 from the field (12-23). In his last 12 games, the 6-9 freshman is shooting .630 from the field (46-73). He won his second ACC Rookie of the Week award this season after combining for 32 points and 16 rebounds in victories over Wofford and Syracuse while shooting 15-18 from the field (.833). Powell pulled down a career-high 9 rebounds vs. Syracuse. He scored a career high 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field vs. Wofford on 12/5/01. Powell leads the team in field goal percentage at .579 (73-126). He's also the Pack's leading offensive rebounder (41) and shot blocker (19). Powell was named Metro Atlanta Player of the Year by the Atlanta Tip-Off Club following his senior year at Riverdale High School. He averaged 22.7 points and 13 rebounds in his senior year and is the only player in school history to have his jersey retired.
SCOOTER SHERRILL--The hard working sophomore is the Packs top percentage three-point shooter vs. ACC teams (.556) hitting 10 of his 18 attempts. He came off the bench at Clemson and scored a career high 18 points and equaled a career high 5 assists for his best performance of the season. His three-pointer from the left corner with 1:24 to play was a huge play in the Pack's come-from-behind victory. In his last 4 ACC games, Sherrill has averaged 9.3 points (37)while shooting .565 from the field (13-23) and .692 from the three-point arc (9-13). Did not play at Virginia on 1/5, the first game this season in which he saw no action. Played in 29 contests a year ago as a reserve guard. He's averaging 5.4 points a game (97)this season.
CLIFF CRAWFORD-- The junior guard has elevated his game since the start of the ACC season. In 7 league games (including 4 starts), Crawford is averaging 6.3 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting .548 from the field (17-31). In his best ACC performance of the season, Crawford recorded 11 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 23 minutes at UVA after starting the game in place of Archie Miller. He also played well in back-to-back games vs. Wofford and Syracuse combining for 17 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. An above average defender, Crawford is tied for No.3 on the team in steals with 20.
ILLIAN EVTIMOV-- Another rookie who has stepped up his game against ACC opponents, Evtimov has become the Pack's No.2 three-point shooter in league play at .406 (13-32) He nailed three, three-point field goals at Clemson on 1/15 and finished with 11 points. Followed that with 9 points and a career-high 4 assists vs. Georgia Tech on 1/19. Evtimov enjoyed the best performance of his young Wolfpack career at UVA on 1/5 when he came off the bench to contribute 15 points, including 4 of 7 shooting from the three-point line. He's averaging 8.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in ACC games. A native of Bulgaria, Evtimov lived in France for most of his life before moving to the United States. He averaged 21.5 points, 14 rebounds and 5.2 assists a game as a senior at Bishop McGuiness High School in Winston-Salem, NC. As a freshman at NC State, Evtimov is averaging nearly 15 minutes a game and 5.2 points a contest (93). He's seen action in every game. He's the brother of former UNC forward Vasco Evtimov who is now playing professionally in Greece.
LEVI WATKINS-- A 2001 Parade High School All-American, Watkins suffered a torn knee ligament (ACL) vs. Maryland on 12/30 and will be lost for the remainder of the season. He scored 5 points in 6 minutes before the injury. Watkins earned his first career start vs. Charleston Southern on 12/19 and played 11 minutes, scoring 2 points. His best performance of the season came vs. UNC-Asheville when he finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds. Watkins averaged 23.2 points and 11.2 rebounds a game during his senior year at Montrose Christian in Rockville, MD.
JORDAN COLLINS-- The 6-10 freshman played the best ACC game of his career at UNC on 1/23 when he notched a career-high 8 points, pulled down 2 rebounds and dished out 2 assists in 21 minutes. Since the start of ACC play, Collins has earned more playing time lately. He's averaged 11.4 minutes in 7 ACC games. Collins had 7 points and 2 rebounds vs. UNC-Asheville on 12/15. Collins was a four-year starter at DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville, MD for legendary coach, Morgan Wooten. He averaged 15 points and 10.3 rebounds as a senior while leading DeMatha to a 27-5 record.
