North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack Looks to Build on ACC Tourney Performance
3/31/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 17, 2003
Not long after NC State's dreams for a stunning ACC title had been washed away by a hailstorm of J.J. Redick 3-pointers, the Wolfpack's players and coaches briefly celebrated a second consecutive berth to the NCAA Tournament. Drained and disappointed in the immediate aftermath of an exciting ACC Tournament that had ended in a close defeat to Duke, they all felt a sense of relief and accomplishment when, once again, the name of their school, NC State, appeared on the NCAA pairings show. For a fleeting moment, the bracket, the seeding and even the opponent were insignificant. Getting back to the tournament had not been easy; therefore, a second straight chance to dance felt good.
"As soon as the game was over, we went back to the hotel and watched the pairings," said NC State head coach Herb Sendek. "Our minds were focused on the excitement of that moment. As soon as we learned of our opponent, where we would be going and what time we would be playing, that's where all of our energies have been. We don't have any time right now to be looking in the rear view mirror."
If Sendek were a car, he wouldn't have any rear view mirrors. Like most coaches, he always emphasizes the importance of moving forward without looking back. During a long college basketball season, it does no good to spend an inordinate amount of time either enjoying successes or pondering downfalls.
For those of us who don't play or coach the game, it's safer to look back. In retrospect, NC State certainly didn't blow Sunday's title game against Duke. Some games are won, while others are blown. This was one of those games that was won. Down by 15 points midway through the second half, the Blue Devils, led by Redick, made one clutch shot after another to take their fifth straight ACC title.
"We certainly didn't let it slip away," Sendek said on Monday. "We had some very serious foul trouble and our guys fought tooth and nail to the end. We played a team in Duke that made plays. We ran into a really hot player in J.J. Redick. I don't think our players were doing anything in that game that amounted to self destruction."
In fact, if Sendek's team can continue to play at the level it reached last weekend in Greensboro, it could emerge as one of the most dangerous teams in the NCAA Tournament. In just the last two weeks, the Wolfpack has suffered last possession defeats to Maryland and Wake Forest; has knocked off the top-seeded Deacons at the ACC Tournament; and has come within an eyelash of downing Duke. Clearly, this is a club that is playing its best basketball of the year.
"Absolutely," Sendek said. "I think we're a different team than we were at different crossroads of the season. That doesn't guarantee anything Thursday...it's a new day and the score starts zero-zero. But in terms of our quality of play and our improvement, we perhaps have improved as much as any team in recent times at NC State."
Unlike at many times during the regular season, NC State is now getting positive contributions from all of its parts at the same time. Marcus Melvin and Scooter Sherrill have become more consistent on both ends of the floor; Senior Clifford Crawford is providing experience and fearlessness; Julius Hodge continues to be one of the ACC's best players; and Josh Powell....wow! Late in his sophomore season, the 6-9 Powell has suddenly emerged into a low post force that must be reckoned with. By averaging 20 points and seven rebounds over the weekend, the Riverdale, Georgia native put together perhaps the most eye-opening performance of the tournament.
"Josh Powell has really stepped up and made it his business to give us some authority down low on the blocks," Melvin responded when asked to identify the single key to NC State's recent resurgence. "That has really opened up things on the perimeter for Scooter, myself and Cliff Crawford. That really took our offense to another level."
This is a time when hot basketball teams have a history of making madness in March. If it can build on what happened last weekend, NC State could certainly become a team to watch. We'll know more when the Wolfpack tangles with California Thursday in Oklahoma City.
