North Carolina State University Athletics
Hodge Puts Wolfpack In Position For NCAA Invite
3/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 12, 2005
BY TIM PEELER
WASHINGTON - Julius Hodge came back for his senior season with the specific goal of leading N.C. State to another championship. It's the same reason he chose to go to Raleigh out of high school.
After the Wolfpack lost to Duke 76-69 Saturday afternoon in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament in Washington's MCI Center, Hodge knew that he would not get the conference championship he coveted.
But, by helping his team beat Florida State and Wake Forest, Hodge has most likely put the Wolfpack (19-13) in position to vie for another championship, by getting a fourth consecutive invitation to the NCAA Tournament when pairings are announced Sunday at 6 p.m.
There are no guarantees, of course. The NCAA Selection Committee may find 34 other deserving teams for an at-large bid into the 65-team tournament. But, after so many early disappointments, Hodge and the Wolfpack played much better at the end of the season, putting itself in line for post-season competition and learning some important lessons on the way.
"This whole year, I have really learned a lot, probably more than I have in my first three years here," said Hodge, who gave up an opportunity to go to the NBA so he could return for his senior season. "The way our young guys came together, the way they matured, was really something special to watch.
"We were ranked at times, even getting to the Top 10, but we never let ourselves get too high or low. We had some tough times, but we continued to work. We dug ourselves a hole in the middle of the season and fought our way back up. That's what Coach [Herb] Sendek told us the whole time: Continue to go, don't ever give up, play with heart and determination."
Those are all tenets Hodge has embraced during his all-star career, in which he has scored 1,990 points. And it's something that he has spread to his teammates.
"We never gave up," said junior Ilian Evtimov. "We never lost faith. We came back and worked hard, because we knew that something good was going to happen. I think we made a pretty strong case for the NCAA Tournament."
There might still be some lobbying to do with the Selection Committee. But there is at least one opposing coach in the ACC who is convinced the Wolfpack will prolong its season.
"NC State has to be the NCAA Tournament," said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski after Saturday's game. "I thought coming into this tournament, they were playing the best basketball in our conference. They showed that in all three of their games here. I don't usually talk about another team ... but when I saw them play at Georgia Tech, when they started their run, I said this is a team that I admire.
"They are playing with such courage and togetherness. They are a really good basketball team. I think they should be a decent seed. I would think any team from our league could do damage in the next tournament."
"I couldn't be prouder of a group of men than I am our guys," Sendek said. "They have given their heart. They have had a great homestretch to the regular season."
Sendek believes the time off between now and a potential first-round NCAA game will be beneficial to the Wolfpack in getting both senior center Jordan Collins (separated shoulder) and junior guard Tony Bethel (groin pull) healthy enough to play again.
"I think Jordan will definitely be back," Sendek said. "We are very optimistic about his recovery. We tried him a couple of minutes last night and we think he is around the corner. Tony right now is day-to-day.
"We'll see what a couple days of rest will do for him. Hopefully, we will go into the NCAA Tournament in better health than we did the ACC Tournament."
The Wolfpack didn't win the ACC Championship this year. But the season isn't over.
"We wanted to win a championship, but we didn't get this one," Evtimov said. "Hopefully, we can get the next one, which is even more important."
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
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