North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Looks to Take Out Another Tech
1/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 17, 2005
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C. - It's amazing what one win can do. Out of sorts, out of sync and out of luck, NC State was - according to some - about to have the coffin door slammed in its face prior to Sunday's game against then 8th ranked Georgia Tech. Then, of course, the outlook took an immediate turn in the other direction when the Wolfpack (11-5, 1-2) went out and posted a hustling, hard-fought 76-68 victory over the Jackets. Virginia Tech can empathize with the Pack's plight. According to coach Seth Greenberg, there were doubts about the Hokies' ability to win at least one game in the ACC. That perception changed as well with Saturday's 59-57 triumph over Clemson in Blacksburg.
By Monday morning, there was a combination of relief and smiles in both camps. NC State, which snapped a four-game losing streak on Sunday, now sets its sights on getting back to .500 in league play when it travels to Virginia Tech (8-6, 1-2) on Wednesday night (7:00 p.m.).
But win or lose, Wolfpack coach Herb Sendek rarely changes his routine. Following the victory over the Jackets, he gave himself only a short period of time to enjoy the big win his team had recorded and quickly started looking ahead.
"It was a good win; it was a very important game for us," said Sendek. "Obviously, we've had a challenging stretch. It was a home game in the front of a series in which we play four of our next five and six of our next eight on the road. Hopefully, it will provide us with some momentum as we move forward."
No wonder Sendek is guarding his optimism. With a two-game ACC road swing on tap for this week, the Wolfpack has no time for satisfaction. After facing the Hokies on Wednesday, the Pack will head north again over the weekend, this time for a Sunday tilt at Maryland. While it will be a dangerous week, it could also provide NC State with the type of opportunity it was able to take advantage of last season when it went 5-3 in ACC road games.
It is interesting to note that the Wolfpack's 11-5 record is exactly the same mark it had through 16 games last season when it posted a 2nd place finish in the ACC and won 21 games overall.
As of Monday, Sendek said that senior forward Levi Watkins was still getting bed rest after coming down with a virus that caused him to miss the Georgia Tech game. Guard Tony Bethel, who has missed three straight games after being diagnosed with colitis, is still out indefinitely, although indications are that his condition is improving.
The last time NC State faced off against one of the ACC's `new kids on the block,' the Wolfpack came home saddled with a one-point loss to Miami. And like the Hurricanes, The Hokies are a very perimeter-oriented team that gets the majority of its production from its guards. Carlos Dixon, a 6-7, 200-pound redshirt senior from Salisbury, N.C., leads four double-figure scorers with an average of 14.1 points per game. Guards Zabian Dowdell (14.0) and Jamon Gordon (10.3) are also producing points for Tech.
In its historic victory over Clemson, Virginia Tech forced 23 turnovers, including the decisive steal and dunk by Dixon with 6.9 seconds left that put the Hokies on top to stay. Greenberg says duplicating that type of defensive success against NC State could be more difficult, especially since preparing for the Wolfpack offense can often be a frustrating experience.
"Obviously, it's not something you can recreate with the timing, the spacing and cutting," Greenberg said. "It's a little hard on our roster to find someone who can be [Julius] Hodge. We scrimmaged Georgetown earlier this year, so we got a little taste of that. The thing is they shoot it so well, they spread you out, and they cut hard. In two days, you're not going to simulate who they are, so you've got to basically depend on your defensive principles and decide what you're going to give up, what you're going to take away and how far you're going to extend your defense out. Recreating it in two days is impossible."
Of late, the Wolfpack's system has been enhanced by the play of a couple of freshmen. Forward Andrew Brackman and swingman Gavin Grant combined to produce 25 points in the win over Georgia Tech. Brackman added eight rebounds and six blocked shots. As he's become more comfortable with his surroundings, Grant has begun to give the Pack more productive minutes and a much-needed spark off the bench.
"I think he's just improved," Sendek said. "He really gives us another guy on the court who can not only create offense for himself, but for his teammates as well. He's a big, strong perimeter player."
One of NC State's more experienced players, Ilian Evtimov, has also been playing some of his best basketball in recent games. Averaging 14 points over his last four outings, Evtimov had 17 points on Sunday, including a timely 3-pointer that finally put Georgia Tech away.
Of course, the Wolfpack's success on the road a year ago would not have been possible without a deadly touch from the free throw line. The nation's top free throw shooting team last season, the Pack had been struggling in that area until it drained 17 straight in a 30-of-37 performance from the line on Sunday.
