North Carolina State University Athletics
Behind The Scenes With Tony Haynes: Pack Still Learning Lessons
1/31/2002 12:00:00 AM | Pack Athletics
Jan. 31, 2002
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-Wonderful joyrides through the ACC are about as rare as snow in June and 80 degree warmth in January. Ironically, however, it was 80 degrees outside on the same day that NC State was to play Wake Forest at the Entertainment and Sports Arena on Wednesday. And prior to that game, the Wolfpack had been on a nice little joyride, having won four in a row and six out of seven.
But anybody who thought this was going to be easy for a team that starts three freshmen was kidding themselves. Youthful exuberance has served NC State well this season, but on Wednesday, the Pack's kiddy corps got a lesson on manhood. Wake Forest, a team composed of five seniors that have seen a little bit of everything in their careers, wasn't quite ready to bow down to the new boys on the block.
Experience is important. But so is physical maturity. In just a few years, Ilian Evtimov and Josh Powell will be slinging some young freshman around like a rag doll, much the same way Deacon's senior Darius Songaila was handling them at times on Wednesday. While blessed with enormous skills for a man of his size, the 6-9, 245 pound Songaila has also benefited from four years in an organized strength and conditioning program. His unique combination of skill, smarts and strength often overwhelmed the younger, less physical players who were trying to keep him out of the low post on Wednesday.
NC State's spunk and competitiveness made it closer that it should have been. Down by 13 points with just over six minutes to play, the relentless Wolfpack cut it down to just two with a minute left. Following a time-out, the Pack hoped to get the ball to ace guard Anthony Grundy. But when the reigning ACC Player of the Week was covered like a blanket by Josh Howard, all bets were off. Archie Miller saw an opening, drove the lane and threw up an over the shoulder left-handed hook that wouldn't go. Howard's two free throws on the other end made it official: Wake Forest 82 NC State 81.
Could the Pack have gotten a better shot when it was trailing by two at the end? Absolutely. Was that the play that cost NC State the game? No way.
Wake Forest shot 53 percent from the floor and knocked down 24-of-28 free throws. On this night anyway, the Wolfpack's defensive effort was no match for Wake's offensive execution. For most of the game, the Deacs took what they wanted. They hit open shots and they hit contested ones. And they did so against some of the Pack's best defensive players.
Now 16-5 overall and 5-3 in the ACC, NC State will begin its second swing through the ACC schedule with a road game against 3rd ranked Maryland, a team that has realistic national title aspirations this season. Then comes a home game against No. 8 Virginia. Still to come is a trip to Duke. In other words, this ain't gonna be no picnic in Pullen Park.
The February stretch run always seems to separate the pretenders from the contenders. In spite of its loss on Wednesday night, NC State looks the part of a contender. Most of the Pack's goals-including that cherished spot in the NCAA Tournament field of 64-are still well within reach. But the other eight teams in the rugged ACC won't show any sympathy for NC State's NCAA Tournament drought. The other guys, even those at the bottom of the conference standings, all have something to play for.
From here out, every game, every dribble and every shot will be significant. The pressure and fatigue, especially for a young team, will be palpable. Fortunately, NC State has Miller and Grundy, two players whose leadership this season has been exemplary. Their example, their will to succeed and their consistency will be invaluable from here on out.
More than their younger teammates, Grundy and Miller fully understand just how challenging and difficult the next month will be. They also know just how futile it is to get overly excited about any one win or overly dejected by any one loss.
They have learned their lessons well.
