North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack Prepares for Young Jackets
3/11/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 11, 2003
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-At last year's ACC Tournament in Charlotte, freshmen like Julius Hodge, Ilian Evtimov and Josh Powell were the young guns. Seemingly unaffected by the pressure of playing in the ACC Tournament for the first time, that threesome helped NC State advance all the way to the championship game in Charlotte. When the Wolfpack (16-11, 9-7) opens play in the 2003 Tournament this Friday in Greensboro, it will face Georgia Tech's "new kids on the block." The Jackets feature rookies Chris Bosh and Jarrett Jack, who will be making their debuts in an event considered to be the best of its kind in the nation.
Now sophomores, Powell and Hodge hope that the success they experienced in last year's tournament will give them a slight edge over a Tech team (14-13, 7-9) that is longer on talent than it is on age. The first time around in the ACC Tournament should be a nerve-wracking experience, although NC State's first year players seemed to buck the trend 12 months ago.
"It is an eye-opening experience because you get a taste of what it takes to get in the position that we got to last year," Powell said. "I don't think it's nervousness, it's more about being anxious to play."
Brash and confident, even as a freshman, Hodge has always invited the limelight, so it was no surprise when he hit a key 3-point shot at the end of the shot clock that pushed NC State over the top in its semifinal upset of eventual national champion Maryland. But even Hodge admitted to being a little star struck upon seeing a packed house at each tourney game last year.
"Last year, it was really like the NCAA Tournament before the tournament," Hodge recalled. "It was really an eye-opener to a certain extent. I was really amazed by all the people that showed up and the publicity that the tournament generated. Tech has some really good freshman players, and Chris Bosh is a much better player than I was last year as a freshman. I think their guys will be ready and I'll be ready also."
The 6-10 Bosh, who is the odds on favorite to win ACC Rookie of the Year honors, leads the ACC in field goal percentage (.564) and is bidding to join former UNC star Antawn Jamison as only the second freshman to lead the ACC in field goal accuracy. Bosh also leads all league freshmen with 11 double-doubles, including six in ACC play. After a slow start, Jack has emerged as an effective point guard in his rookie campaign.
Speaking of rookies, NC State's Cameron Bennerman will be returning to his hometown for his ACC Tournament debut.
"I don't really know what to expect," Bennerman said. "I remember watching the tournament when I was younger, but I'm not sure what to expect. I'm looking forward to it and hope I have a good showing when I get to play."
Lately, the 6-4 Bennerman has been giving the Wolfpack some much-needed production off the bench.
Wolfpack's Health Improving:Unlike the last week of the regular season, NC State should be a fairly healthy basketball team when it meets Tech on Friday. A few extra days off this week were just what the doctor ordered for Hodge (cold), point guard Cliff Crawford (flu and hip-flexor strain) and forward Levi Watkins (strained groin).
"It's getting better," said NC State head coach Herb Sendek when asked about the health of his team. "It's better than it was last week when we had those three games against Maryland, Clemson and Wake. I think for the most part guys have recovered. A couple of guys are still fighting a cold and Levi, with each day, I think his groin feels a lot better. Maybe he's not 100 percent yet, but we're certainly better off than we were last week."
Pack in ACC Tourney:NC State enters the 50th annual ACC Tournament with a 53-39 (.576) all-time mark in the event, which dates back to 1954. The Pack is the third winningest team in tournament history behind North Carolina and Duke, and ranks third in tournament titles with 10.
