North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Hoops to Host VMI
11/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 22, 2005
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C. -- After hoisting up 33 3-point shots and making 14 of them in a 91-59 triumph over the Citadel on Saturday night, NC State came back with a very different offensive attack the very next day. Knocking down only 1-of-11 shots from the arc against Delaware, the Wolfpack turned to a bruising interior game to hold off the Blue Hens, 73-57. The two games demonstrated just how adaptable the Pack's offense can be depending upon the defensive approach that's employed by its opponent. On Wednesday night, NC State (3-0) will be ready to adjust again when it entertains VMI at the RBC Center (7:30 tip-off).
Whether it was playing zone or man-to-man on Saturday, the Citadel kept its defense tight with all five players usually positioning themselves inside the 3-point arc. NC State countered by unleashing a deep-shooting barrage that was led by Engin Atsur and Brandon Costner, who had four 3s apiece.
Less than 24 hours later, it was a totally different story. Determined to limit the Wolfpack's 3-point shooters with an overplaying man-to-man that didn't double the post or help off on drives, Delaware gambled that NC State would struggle to score inside.
That strategy didn't work either.
Twenty of the Pack's 21 baskets came in the paint as sophomores Cedric Simmons and Gavin Grant tallied career-highs with 22 points apiece. And by going inside repeatedly, NC State was also able to get to the free throw line, making 30-of-39 from the stripe.
The two games on back-to-back days provided a glimpse into the future and may signal more inside-outside balance than the Wolfpack has featured in recent years.
When asked to name the guy who would surprise people the most two weeks ago, just about every NC State player said Simmons. Over the weekend, the 6-9 sophomore made his teammates look prophetic.
"He's gotten so much stronger and so much more confident in his game," said guard Tony Bethel. "He just seems ready to us. When you're a player, you see it in other players. If you ask everybody, they would say the same thing."
And after missing 5-of-8 free throws in a win over Stetson on Friday, Simmons even showed an improved touch at the line, knocked down 14-of-17 in the games against the Citadel and Delaware.
"I don't think I've improved that much, I've just got more confidence from playing over the summer," Simmons said. "Strength-wise I improved a lot. I put on 15 or 16 pounds from last year. That will be the thing that's different this year is the inside game. I think there will be more people posting up. Gavin and Cam [Bennerman] are both big guards, so you'll see them posting up more. Of course, I'll be posting up and Andrew [Brackman] will be posting up. That's what will be different from last year's team."
In Wednesday's contest, the Pack will likely get another chance to work on its inside productivity against a VMI squad that is predictably small. The Keydets opened their season with a 53-49 loss to Army on Monday.
