North Carolina State University Athletics
Hot Hodge Leads Pack to Florida State
1/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 9, 2004
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-It's a wonder that the snow falling in Raleigh on Friday didn't melt quickly in the wake of a recent hot streak authored by NC State's Julius Hodge. The 6-7 junior, who leads the ACC in scoring with an average of 19.3 points per game, has been a model of productive consistency over the Wolfpack's last four games, a stretch during which he has converted 61 percent (30-of-49) of his field goal attempts and 17 consecutive free throws. NC State (8-2, 1-0) will need for Hodge to stay on his early January roll when it meets much-improved Florida State (12-2, 1-0) Saturday afternoon (4 p.m.) in Tallahassee.
The best word to describe Hodge's play of late is "efficient." In averaging 22 points during the Wolfpack's current three-game winning streak, the Harlem, N.Y. native has averaged just 12.3 shots per contest. Along the way, he's also found time to dish out 18 assists.
But according to Wolfpack head coach Herb Sendek, Hodge's terrific numbers in recent weeks have been matched by his on-court leadership.
"He's really started to embrace a complete and broad role," Sendek said. "I don't think he's hanging his hat on any one thing. He understands the scope of his role for us, which is to be the master of many trades. As well as he's played lately, he really has improved his ability to lead and to communicate. I like the way he's responded in some adverse situations. When things haven't gone well for us, he's really been strong."
Hodge showed his strength and leadership back on January 3rd when NC State found itself engaged in a tough, hard-fought tussle with UNC-Wilmington. Thanks to their well-conceived halfcourt defense, the Seahawks were making it difficult for the Wolfpack to score and were down by only three points with around seven minutes left. But Hodge wouldn't let his team fold under some intense game pressure. Playing with a steady hand down the stretch, he continued to encourage teammates while also knocking down some clutch shots that helped the Pack pull away for a 68-50 win.
"Leadership is a topic that is important in any organization," Sendek said. "In sports, it's extremely important. It has to go beyond a coach or a single person. I think Julius has really picked that area up lately."
He's also been at his all out versatile best on the court, scoring points in a variety of ways. One trip down, he may get to the free throw line. On the next possession, he might score from the low post. On other occasions, there are stick-back baskets, backdoor layups and spectacular finishes in transition.
Hodge works especially well with redshirt sophomore Ilian Evtimov, who does an effective job of screening for Hodge when NC State employs some of its pick and roll actions. In Wednesday's 89-62 triumph over Brigham Young, that particular pick and roll combination led to some layups for Hodge and a few 3-point baskets for Evtimov.
"He's (Hodge) stepped his game up a lot," Evtimov said. "He's a better leader than he was at the beginning of the season. He's playing harder. Just look at his numbers. Anytime you have somebody that plays that hard, good things are going to happen. He's not selfish and he creates good opportunities for everybody else. We just follow his lead."
Along with leading the league in scoring right now, Hodge is also third in field goal percentage (.549), fifth in free throw percentage (.794), seventh in rebounding (7.2 average), and sixth in assists (4.70).
Seminoles Sizzle: In order to get a win at Florida State on Sunday, NC State will have to play every bit as well as it did in Wednesday's impressive showing against Brigham Young. The Seminoles' 12-2 start is clearly no fluke. Improved in just about every statistical category over last season, FSU is hitting nearly 48 percent of its field goal attempts and 41.5 percent from 3-point range. Last season, the 'Noles made only 33 percent of their attempts from the arc.
"They're certainly off to a great start," Sendek said. "You have to be impressed with their depth and their athleticism. I don't know too many times 14 games into a season that I've seen a team shooting over 40 percent from three. That really jumps off the page. They're quick off the dribble and good in transition. Their offense has really benefited from their defense, which has helped create easy baskets for them."
Streaky guard Tim Pickett, who carried most of the offensive load for Florida State last year, is no longer shouldering all of the offensive burden, although he leads the team in scoring (14.9 ppg.). The Seminoles are getting positive contributions from a long list of players, including Raleigh native Anthony Richardson, who is averaging 10.5 points per game.
"[Pickett] is still a guy who, on any given night, is capable of putting staggering numbers up," Sendek said. "He's a great shooter and the college 3-point line is irrelevant. He can shoot with range well beyond that stripe on the floor. He has really quick people around him as well as an improved inside attack that create opportunities for him."
NC State, which had dropped nine consecutive games in Tallahassee prior to the 1999-2000 season, has since recorded victories in its last three trips to the Leon County Civic Center. Overall, the Wolfpack has won the last nine games in the series.
