North Carolina State University Athletics
College Life Suits Hodge Just Fine
2/27/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 27, 2003
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.--NC State's Julius Hodge, a flamboyant player who hardly shuns the spotlight, looks forward to one day soaking up the glitz and glitter of basketball's brightest stage. But for the time being, the NBA can wait. As his sophomore season winds down, Hodge is focused only on trying to get the Wolfpack back to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season.
"I love college life and college basketball," Hodge said. "That's not something I'm willing to give up at this point of my life. I've done one-plus year, almost two years. I don't see much of a problem with doing two more. I really love the environment here in Raleigh."
And though he's just two years into his college career, Hodge has already established himself as one of the best players in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Averaging 18.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, the 6-6 sophomore is well on his way to being named 1st team All-ACC this season.
"I'm not too much into awards," said Hodge, who finished second to Georgia Tech's Ed Nelson last year in balloting for the ACC Rookie of the Year award. "If I win something, I'll just send the plaque to my mom and that will be the end of it. Right now I'm focused on winning games and we have to do that to get into the field of 65."
Before making the jump to the professional ranks, Hodge knows he'll need to become a more consistent perimeter shooter. Overall physical maturity is also a factor in his decision to put pro hoops on hold. While he'll never be confused with "The Incredible Hulk," Hodge has gained a significant amount of weight since arriving in Raleigh, going from 172 pounds to his current weight of 190.
Known for his competitive nature and high-strung emotion on the court, Hodge, more than anything, wants to win. On Tuesday night, he may very well have kept NC State's NCAA Tournament hopes alive by sinking a contested 15-foot jumper that sent the Pack's game at North Carolina to overtime. The clutch shot, which came with eight seconds remaining in regulation, gave State all the impetus it would need to post a 75-67 victory. Hodge, of course, is one of those players who relishes the opportunity to have the ball in his hands at crunch time.
"I think on the court, you can't back down," Hodge said. "A lot of people may think 'Hodge is fiery and he sometimes lets his emotions get the best of him.' But I'm out there playing to win the game and that's the only way I know how to play. Some may think I have to tone it down, but there are stretches during games where I have to turn it up. When I do that, I help lead my team to victory. Guys like [Dahntay] Jones (Duke) and [Josh] Howard (Wake Forest) do the same and they help their teams win. It's about playing your style of game, not backing down, while also being smart about some things."
At 15-9 overall and 8-5 in the ACC, NC State has a fairly strong hold on 4th place in the ACC standings. But unlike most years, such a finish wouldn't guarantee a spot in the NCAA Tournament. With three regular season games and the ACC Tournament remaining, the Pack has some more work to do before it can feel comfortable about its chances. Obviously, NC State's resum? would look a lot more impressive with a victory over one of the nation's best teams. The Wolfpack will have its chance to open some eyes when it hosts 14th ranked Maryland this Sunday night at the RBC Center.
"Right now, I think we can finish strong in the ACC race," Hodge said. "If we can win our last couple of games, we can put ourselves in a very good position to be playing in March. That's our focus right now. You must win these games right now if you want to make it into the NCAA Tournament."
It's the kind of drama, excitement and suspense that can only be found in the college game. And it's exactly why Julius Hodge says the NBA can wait.
