North Carolina State University Athletics
Gary's Game Notes: 2002 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament
3/6/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 6, 2002
NC STATE (20-9, 9-7), T-3rd ACC, 4th seed
EVENT:The Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament
DATE:Thurs., March 7 -Sun., March 10, 2002 @ Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, NC (23,895)
TIME: Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. 3/7, 12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. 3/8, 1:30 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. 3/9, 1:00 p.m. 3/10 (All times EST)
RADIO: Wolfpack Capitol Sports Network.
AIRTIME: 6:30 p.m. 3/7, 11:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m. 3/8, 1:00 p.m. 3/9, 12:30 p.m. 3/10. (Click for list of stations carrying game)
TELEVISION: ESPN 3/7, RJ/ESPN (afternoon), RJ/ESPN2 (evening) 3/8, RJ/ESPN 3/9 & 3/10.
OPPONENT -- NC State's quarterfinal opponent will be Virginia. The Pack and Cavaliers will tip-off at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 8th. This will be the third meeting between the two teams. NC State swept Virginia during the regular season, winning in Charlottesville 81-74 on January 5th and then beating UVA 85-68 in Raleigh on February 6th. In both games, NC State was able to shread Virginia press and create easy baskets. The Wolfpack also scored 46 points off 36 Cavaliers turnovers and were able to shoot a combined 20-43 from the three point arc. Those factors helped off-set UVA's rebounding edge in both games. The Cavs combined for 21 offensive rebounds. Several players stepped up for NC State in both games, but one constant was Anthony Grundy. He averaged 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the two games. The Pack had no answer for UVA center, Travis Watson. He averaged 24.5 points and 12.5 rebounds against State in the two regular season games. The Pack is 10-2 all-time against Virginia in the ACC Tournament.
If the Pack should beat Virginia for the third time, it would likely play Maryland in the ACC Semifinals on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. (1:00 p.m. radio airtime). NC State battled Maryland late into the second half of both its regular season meetings against the No. 2 ranked Terps, but UM prevailed 72-65 in Raleigh on December 30th despite 31 percent second-half shooting and 89-73 at Cole Field House on February 3rd.
All-America guard, Juan Dixon, was sensational against NC State, averaging 24 points and 5 rebounds while center, Lonny Baxter combined for 27 points and 13 rebounds. Maryland's size and depth was a factor in both games. The Pack shot only 30 percent in the first meeting, but improved to 50 percent in the second-game. However, 21 turnovers doomed State at Cole Field House. The Terps scored 26 points off those mistakes and took control in the final 8:30 of the game. Again, Grundy was the constant for the Pack, averaging 18.5 points and 5 rebounds in the two meetings. The Pack does not match-up well with the Terps inside as evidenced by Maryland shooting 61-85 from the foul line in the two games (.718).
PROBABLE VIRGINIA STARTERS
| No. | Name | Pos. | Ht. | Class | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 10 | Keith Jenifer | G | 6'3 | Fr. | 3.9 ppg. | 2.0 rpg. | 2.7 apg. |
| 21 | Roger Mason Jr. | G | 6'5 | Jr. | 18.7ppg. | 3.3 rpg. | 4.2 apg. |
| 35 | Travis Watson | C | 6'8 | Jr. | 13.8ppg. | 9.8 rpg. | 1.0* |
| 32 | J.C. Mathis | F | 6'8 | So. | 5.1 ppg. | 4.0 rpg. | 0.7 apg. |
| 33 | Chris Williams | F | 6'7 | Sr. | 14.2ppg. | 6.2 rpg. | 2.6 apg. |
PROBABLE MARYLAND STARTERS
| No. | Name | Pos. | Ht. | Class | PPG | RPG | APG |
| 01 | Byron Mouton | F | 6'6 | Sr. | 11.9ppg. | 4.9 rpg. | 2.0 apg. |
| 54 | Chris Wilcox | F | 6-9 | Sr. | 11.9ppg. | 7.6 rpg. | 1.6* |
| 35 | Lonnie Baxter | C | 6-8 | Jr. | 15.3ppg. | 8.4 rpg. | 2.0* |
| 25 | Steve Blake | G | 6'3 | So. | 7.8 ppg. | 3.7 rpg. | 8.1 apg. |
| 03 | Juan Dixon | G | 6'3 | Jr. | 19.5ppg. | 4.8 rpg. | 2.8 apg. |
* Blocked shots per game
A WOLFPACK WIN VS. VIRGINIA--Would give the Wolfpack five victories in its last eight games, a 21-9 overall mark and a semi-final berth in the ACC Tournament for the fourth time under coach Herb Sendek and the first time since 2000. NC State would record its first 21-win season under Sendek and the first since the 1988-89 season when the Pack won 22 games. The Pack would record its third win this season over Virginia and seventh in the last 10 games of the series, including four in-a-row.
A LOSS--Would be the fourth in the last six games, dropping the Pack to 20-10 overall and eliminating NC State from the ACC Tournament. The Pack will now wait for the NCAA Tournament parings on Sunday, March 10th, to find out if its post-season continues. Virginia would break a 3-game losing streak to NC State in the series.
LEAD AT THE HALF... LEAD AT THE FINISH--NC State has posted a 16-2 record when leading at the half this season. The only times the Pack lost with a lead at the break were against Wake Forest on 1/30 and at Georgia Tech on 2/20.
ASSISTS UP... TURNOVERS DOWN--In 22 of 29 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 13.1 turnovers a game (381). Last season, the Wolfpack turned the ball over nearly 17 times a contest.
CONVERTING TURNOVERS TO POINTS --Overall, NC State is forcing an average of 16.6 turnovers a contest (480) and is converting many of those opportunities into points. The Pack is averaging 17.3 points off turnovers in ACC games (276).
A POINT OR TWO ABOUT THE THREE-POINTER--Over the last 12 games (of which the Pack has won 7) NC State has combined to shoot .394 from the three-point arc (110-279). The last 7 NC State opponents have hit only 27 of their last 106 three-point attempts (.255). UVA is shooting .315 vs. ACC teams from the three-point line (last in the league).
NIFTY FIFTY -- NC State has shot 50 percent or better in 9 games this season (including 3 of its last 8) and won 7 of them. In 16 ACC games, the Wolfpack has shot a combined .443 from the field 409-911). NC State is 13-7 when it has shot below 50 percent. UVA is shooting .440 from the field vs. ACC teams.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CHARITY --NC State's free throw shooting has improved dramatically this season. The Pack is shooting .753 from the charity stripe (470-624) overall and .752 in ACC games (273-363). Last season, the Pack shot .673 from the line. UVA is hitting at a .763 clip from the foul line vs. ACC teams which leads the league.
NOT EXACTLY BOARD CHAIRMEN... BUT NOT BAD --The Pack generally has held its own on the boards in league play. That's not bad for a team that was not expected to be strong in that area. In ACC games the Pack is trailing slightly on the boards 514-560 (160-161 on the offensive glass). UVA is outrebounding ACC opponents by a margin of +1.2 per game.
PINE POINTS-- The Wolfpack's young, but deep bench is averaging 19.8 points a game (573) this season. Freshmen have accounted for more than 41 percent of the team's total minutes played.
NEXT FOR THE PACK-- Following the ACC Tournament, NC State will wait and see if it receives a bid to the NCAA Tournament. That will be determined Sunday, March 10th at 6:00 p.m. EST.
ARCHIE MILLER-- The senior captain was 3-6 from the three point arc at Georgia Tech on 2/20 to move into second-place for career three-point field goals made at NC State. He now has 205 in his career. Miller led the Pack with 17 points at FSU on 2/10 and has shown more offensive punch lately. In his last 11 games (10 starts), Miller has averaged 12.0 points (132) on 36-78 shooting from the field (.461) during that stretch. He equaled his career high with 22 points Jan. 30th vs. Wake Forest on 6-11 shooting including 4-7 from the three-point arc. After missing 9 games last season with a stress fracture of his left leg, extra precautions were taken in January to enhance the chances of keeping Miller in the line-up for the remainder of the season. Those precautions included reduced practice time, but Miller never missed a game. Prior to the injury, Miller led the team in minutes and assists per game. He continues to lead in free throw shooting 55-64 (.859) and is No. 2 in assists (88) and steals (35). He ranks second in the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio with a 2.3-to-1mark and has only 30 turnovers in his last 24 games. Miller is seventh in NC State career three-point percentage at .423 (205-484).
ANTHONY GRUNDY-- Earned first-team All-ACC honors as the Pack's first selection on that unit since Todd Fuller in 1995-96. Ranks 12th in NC State history in scoring with 1,539 points. Ranks second in NC State history with 233 career steals, eighth in career three-pointers (156) and tenth in assists (341). With 28 points and 7 rebounds vs. UNC on 2/24, Grundy became the first NC State player to record 1500 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists, and 200 steals in a career. A sore ankle has hampered the Wolfpack's star slightly, but he continues to produce impressive numbers. Grundy has led the Pack in scoring in 11 of his last 13 games. During that stretch, he has averaged 20.8 points (270), 5.9 rebounds (77), 3.9 assists (51) and 2.0 steals (26) while shooting .516 from the field (99-192) and .333 from the three-point arc (20-60). In ACC games this season, Grundy is averaging 19.5 points (312), 3.9 assists (62) and 2.4 steals (38). Grundy was outstanding against Virginia on Feb. 6th with 25 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. The senior guard had one of his finest games of the season vs. Wake Forest on Jan. 30 with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. At Syracuse on December 8th Grundy notched 26 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals while shooting 10-16 from the field. Currently, he leads the team in scoring (17.4 ppg.), assists (105), steals (64), minutes (32.3) and rebounding (5.5).
JULIUS HODGE-- Earned a spot on the ACC All-Rookie Team with his outstanding play this season. Hodge led all ACC freshmen in scoring this season (10.2) and was second in rebounding (4.8). He finished the regular season on March 2nd on a high note by tying his career high of 21 points on 7-11 shooting from the field at Wake Forest. In his previous 5 games, the 2001 McDonalds and Parade High School All-American had been held to 29 points on 9-29 shooting. He recorded 17 points and 5 rebounds on 1/30 vs. WFU on 6-8 shooting from the field and dished out a career-high 7 assists vs. Temple on 1/26. Hodge led the Pack at UVA on 1/5 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 10.2 points (286) and 4.8 rebounds a game (133). 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--Down the stretch of the ACC regular season, Hodge has been a factor. The last 5 games, the sophomore forward has averaged 14.0 points (70) while shooting 22-41 from the field (.536). He was outstanding at Wake Forest on 3/2 with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Recorded a double-double against UNC on 2/24 (18 points, 10 rebounds). Melvin is currently the Pack's No. 1 three-point shooter (.419). He came roaring out of a seven game slump with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists against Virginia on Feb. 3rd. Melvin made 5-6 shots from the field in that game, including all four of his three-point attempts. The Fayetteville native was the Pack's hero at Houston, winning the game with 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 averaging 10.1 points (293) and is the team's No. 2 rebounder with 155 (5.3).
JOSH POWELL-- Despite slumping down the stretch of the ACC season, the freshman center was voted to the ACC All-Rookie Team. The final half of the ACC regular season was an adjustment period for Powell who was constantly matched-up against bigger, more experienced, and stronger front court players. Played only 3 minutes in the final regular season game at WFU and failed to score or rebound. Powell recorded his best outing since January 19th with 9 points at Duke on 2/14 and followed that with 8 points and 3 rebounds vs. Clemson on 2/16. In his last 9 appearances, Powell is averaging only 4.0 points (36) and 2.4 rebounds (22). His tip-in of a missed shot with :02 seconds to play was the game winning basket at Clemson on 1/15. Powell 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). He pulled down a career-high 9 rebounds vs. Syracuse. Powell scored a career high 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field vs. Wofford on 12/5/01. He leads the team in field goal percentage at .543 (89-164). He's also the Pack's leading offensive rebounder (51) and shot blocker (29). 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--Came off the bench to record a career high 20 points in 21 minutes against UVA on Feb 6th on 6-9 shooting from the field. He followed that with 16 points and 4 rebounds at FSU on 2/10. Sherrill has averaged 9.0 points (63) in his last 7-games while shooting .474 (18-38) from the field. He's made his last 22 free throw attempts. The hard working sophomore is the Packs No. 2 percentage three-point shooter vs. ACC teams (.415) hitting 17-41 attempts. Sherrill came off the bench at Clemson on 1/15 scoring 18 points and equaling a career high with 5 assists. 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 12 ACC games, Sherrill has averaged 8.8 points (105) while shooting .532 from the field (33-62) and .444 from the three-point arc (16-36).
CLIFF CRAWFORD-- The junior guard has not been much of an offensive factor since providing a spark for the Pack vs. WFU on 1/30 when he came off the bench to record 9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals. Played 11 minutes but failed to score in the Pack's final regular season game at WFU on 3/2. In 16 ACC games (including 4 starts), Crawford is shooting .481 from the field (26-54). In his best ACC performance of the season, Crawford recorded 11 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 23 minutes at UVA on 1/5 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 No.3 on the team in steals with 30.
ILLIAN EVTIMOV--The freshman forward recorded a career-high 6 assists vs. UNC on 2/24 and also added 10 points and 3 rebounds. A two-time ACC Rookie of the Week, Evtimov scored a total of 34 points and 8 assists in games against Duke and Clemson during the week of February 11-17 while shooting 10-17 from the field. Evtimov started 10 straight games for the Wolfpack from 1/15-thru-2/16 and averaged 10.1 points (101), 4.2 rebounds (42) and 2.7 assists (27) during that span. He scored a career-high 18 points vs. Clemson on 2/16 and 16 points at Duke on 2/14 on 6-11 shooting from the field. Evtimov has been a three-point threat in league play shooting .387 from the arc against ACC opponents (24-62). In only his second career ACC game at UVA on 1/5, he came off the bench to contribute 15 points, including 4 of 7 shooting from the three-point line. He's averaging 8.8 points and 3.8 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 21minutes a game and 6.6 points a contest (192). 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 is the Pack's biggest player in height and weight (262). Played five minutes and fouled out without scoring in the Pack's final regular season game at WFU on 3/2. Collins 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. He's averaged 9.7 minutes in 15 ACC games. DNP at Georgia Tech on 2/20 due to a foot injury. 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.
WOLFPACK CAREER HIGHS
| NAME | PTS | REB | ASST |
| Archie Miller | 22 | 5 | 9 |
| Anthony Grundy | 30 | 9 | 11 |
| Cliff Crawford | 18 | 8 | 10 |
| Marcus Melvin | 20 | 10 | 5 |
| Scooter Sherrill | 20 | 7 | 5 |
| Michael Bell | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Brian Keeter | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Josh Powell | 18 | 9 | 4 |
| Julius Hodge | 21 | 12 | 7 |
| Illian Evtimov | 18 | 6 | 6 |
| Levi Watkins | 8 | 5 | 1 |
| Jordan Collins | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| Will Roach | 2 | 1 | 1 |
