North Carolina State University Athletics
Hodge thinking of team, not low blow
3/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 9, 2005
By AARON BEARD
AP Sports Writer
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - NC State needs more wins to improve its NCAA tournament prospects, and that's all Julius Hodge is concerned with these days.
That meant the senior swingman had little to say Tuesday about Chris Paul's harsh parting gift in Hodge's final home game - a low blow that capped a tough regular season for the Atlantic Coast Conference's 2004 player of the year.
Hodge was selected second team all-conference this week, marking the first time in 24 years a returning player of the year failed to make the first team the following season.
Although Hodge's statistics are similar to last season, the Wolfpack are struggling to earn a fourth straight NCAA bid.
"He returned to school as the ACC player of the year, so unless he repeats that some are easily going to say he didn't have a good year," coach Herb Sendek said. "The only way that most people would say that he had the same kind of year is if he came away with that honor again.
"If you look at his numbers, most any player would be on the phone for hours with their girlfriend and mother and everybody else bragging about those kinds of exploits."
Hodge is averaging 17 points and 6.9 rebounds for the Wolfpack (17-12), comparable to his 18-point, six-rebound average as a junior. He's averaging 4.5 assists - one better than last season - but the 6-foot-7 Hodge's shooting numbers are down from the line and behind the 3-point arc.
The decline in his free throw shooting has been the most glaring, falling in a year from 83 percent to 65 percent.
Hodge has been criticized for his play at times this season, but believes he's gotten his due.
"Why wouldn't I?" he said. "I think I've gotten a lot of credit for it. Maybe some have (criticized), a lot didn't. That's basically how it goes sometimes."
Much of the criticism he's faced has been for the team's performance. Heading into Thursday's ACC tournament game against Florida State, it appears the Wolfpack need a good showing to get to the NCAAs. They were ranked as high as No. 12 and started 10-1, but lost nine of their next 12 games in a season full of injuries and unfulfilled promise.
The Wolfpack (17-12) lost one-point games at Miami and Virginia Tech, and had a two-point home loss to lowly Virginia. N.C. State also lost its only game against Florida State, a 70-64 defeat that snapped the Seminoles' 26-game road losing streak in league play.
And of course, there was that 55-53 loss to Wake Forest on Sunday night, thanks to Paul's runner at the buzzer.
Those losses are proving costly now, but Hodge's teammates insist he isn't to blame for the team's struggles.
Ilian Evtimov even joked that the Wolfpack should keep a new stat: How many times a teammate missed an open shot off a good pass from Hodge.
"He not only has put some numbers up and took a lot of criticism," Evtimov said. "He's been the focus of attention for everybody we've played this year, but he's still found a way to play great and with great leadership on the court."
Evtimov pointed to the reaction of Hodge to being hit in the groin by Paul, saying Hodge responded with maturity and gave his team a chance to win.
Paul was not whistled for a foul on the low blow, which sent Hodge crumpling to the court in the first half. The next day, Wake Forest suspended Paul for one game.
If the Wolfpack beat the Seminoles, Paul would miss the rematch with Hodge and the Wolfpack in Friday's tournament quarterfinals.
Hodge declined comment on Paul's suspension, referring questions about the incident to Sendek. The only thing he'll say is that he's ready to play again Thursday and hoping to get back to the NCAA tournament.
"Right now we're more focused than ever," he said. "We know we have to win that game."
