North Carolina State University Athletics
Dialing Long Distance: Wolfpack Hosts Florida A&M
11/27/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 27, 2003
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-Not a team to shy away from taking 3-point shots, 25th ranked NC State may very well meet its match on Friday night when Florida A&M visits the RBC Center for a 7:30 p.m. tip off. The Rattlers (0-2) feature Terrence Woods, a 6-3 guard who led the nation in 3-point shooting last season (5.0 per game). Although only five of his bombs have found the mark this year, the senior from Memphis has already hoisted up 21 three-point shots through two games. Airtime on the Wolfpack Radio Network on Friday night will be 7:00 p.m.
In leading Florida A&M to a 17-12 record in 2002-03, Woods was incredibly accurate from the arc, especially considering the volume of shots he took from downtown. Woods hit 45.7 percent (139-of-304) of his 3-point attempts last season and averaged 20.5 points per game. And on those nights when he was "feeling it," he was almost impossible to stop. Against Coppin State last March, Woods went off for 36 points, knocking down 12-of-18 3-pointers. He also had a 38-point explosion against North Carolina A&T, a game in which he went 11-of-16 from the arc.
But despite returning Woods and three other starters this year, the Rattlers have gotten off to a bumpy start, dropping games to Illinois State (87-70) and Cleveland State (97-88). Although his 3-point marksmanship was a little bit off in the first two games, Woods has managed to average 21 points per contest.
If NC State's first two games are any indication, Woods could very well have a tough time finding open looks on Friday night. In jumping out to a 2-0 start with victories over UNC Asheville and Howard, the Wolfpack has been incredibly stingy on the defensive end of the court, yielding just 46 and 51 points, respectfully, in the two games.
That defense, which held the first two opponents to just 35 percent shooting, has also produced numerous transition opportunities that have led to some easy baskets. But on those occasions when it hasn't been able to get out and run, NC State looks like a team that's still trying to work out some kinks in its halfcourt offense.
On Friday, Wolfpack coach Herb Sendek will be looking for a few more passes in the halfcourt attack once it becomes obvious that an open shot in transition isn't available.
"We have to do a better job when transition doesn't result in an immediate easy basket," Sendek said. "We can't just settle for an ok shot one or two passes into the offense. We have to work to make the defense guard some action. We've been too quick to let them off the hook when we don't get what we want in transition."
Through two games, junior Julius Hodge seems to be picking up where he left off last season when he was a first team All-ACC performer. The 6-7 swingman is averaging 19.5 points, 9.5 rebounds per game, and has 10 assists compared to just two turnovers. Also averaging double figures are guard Scooter Sherrill (15.5 points) and 6th man Levi Watkins (10.5).
Friday's game will mark the first ever meeting between NC State and Florida A&M.
