North Carolina State University Athletics
Tony Haynes: Close Calls Bode Well for Pack
2/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 3, 2006
Coach Herb Sendek discusses the team and preparation for Maryland
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C. - People who suffer from high blood pressure are quite familiar with something called the DASH Diet. The low sodium, high fiber eating plan is one that is designed to lower blood pressure readings to a safer level. If things continue as they have been, more and more members of the `Wolfpack Nation' might want to consider the DASH plan since hypertension is likely spreading through the ranks following the NC State basketball team's recent proclivity to push pulse levels to the limit. But in the aftermath of a double-overtime triumph over Clemson and a down-to-the-wire win against Virginia, this Wolfpack team is proving that it possesses the poise necessary to win by a whisker. Naturally, Pack fans would prefer something a little less dramatic this Sunday when NC State (17-4, 6-2) welcomes Maryland (14-6, 4-3) to the RBC Center for a 2:00 p.m. tip-off.
And although there was much said and written about the Wolfpack's inability to finish strong in road losses at North Carolina and Duke back in January, this Pack squad has generally performed well in pressure-packed late game situations.
Certainly, the heat was intense Wednesday night when NC State trailed Virginia 62-59 with 3:12 to play. Not wanting to drop a second straight game on its homecourt, the Pack was definitely backed into a corner. But then came three nearly picture-perfect possessions. First, guard Engin Atsur briefly lost his man on a backcut and caught the ball in the paint. With the Virginia defense collapsing, the junior guard fed teammate Ilian Evtimov, who drained a clutch 3-pointer from the left corner to tie it.
On its next possession, the Wolfpack sent Cameron Bennerman into the low-post. Backing his man in close to the bucket, Bennerman tipped in his own miss to give his team a two-point lead.
"I thought Cam had a monster post-up in the middle of the lane," said coach Herb Sendek. "He just did a great job of demanding the ball and we found him inside."
Then following a Cavalier turnover, NC State spread UVa out and got Atsur free off of a weak-side back-screen that led to another layup.
Just like that, a three-point deficit turned into a four-point lead following a 7-0 run.
"No doubt at all," guard Tony Bethel responded when asked if he had any doubt NC State would come back and win. "Guys were just looking in each others eyes [during timeouts] and everything was positive. We listened to coach talk about the next sequence of things we were going to do. In the Clemson game we gained some confidence knowing that we can do it in the later game situations."
Of course, the double-overtime win at Clemson last Sunday was every bit as dramatic thanks to Bennerman's clutch 3-pointer that sent the game into the first extra period.
"I think the last two games our guys have done a great job of making big plays down the homestretch of each game," Sendek said. "Certainly, when games are that close and a possession here or there makes big difference, it doesn't hurt to have some good fortune on your side as well. I think we've had that our last two games. So many games in this conference are going to come down to the last couple of minutes that the more often you can do that, the better season you're going to have."
And although some of NC State's other wins haven't been quite as suspenseful, there already were signs that this team has what it takes to perform well under the gun. In a road game at Alabama back in December, the Wolfpack, nursing a one-point lead, was forced to inbound the ball four straight times in the final seconds before the Tide finally reached the seven-foul limit that would send the Pack to the line. Atsur then drained two pressure free throws to close it out.
With just over seven minutes remaining on January 14, NC State trailed Georgia Tech 61-60 before breaking loose with an 8-0 run. Execution wise, the Wolfpack would be razor sharp the rest of the way, scoring on almost every possession down the stretch in what would become an 87-78 triumph.
A week later, the Pack was faced with another dogfight against Wake Forest. But after the game was last tied at 64-64, NC State would go on to score on 18 of its last 21 possessions in a 92-82 victory.
There is a stark reality in college basketball: teams that go on to have great years usually win several close games and find a way to perform under pressure. Thus far, NC State is clearly benefiting from a number of experienced players who have been through the ACC battles many times before. Their ability to remain calm and composed under stress is probably the biggest reason the Pack has found a way to win its last two games.
So what's in store for Sunday's game against Maryland? That, of course, is impossible to predict, but it might not be a bad idea to do whatever is necessary to keep that blood pressure under control.
Pack/Terp Notes: The all-time series between Maryland and NC State is one of the closest in ACC history. After sweeping the Terrapins last year, the Wolfpack owns a 71-67 advantage....This will mark the 14th time NC State has played on Super Bowl Sunday, and the sixth time that Maryland has been the opponent. The first and perhaps most famous Super Bowl Sunday college basketball game occurred on January 14, 1973 when David Thompson's tip-in at the buzzer gave the Pack an 87-85 victory over the Terps....Sendek will be seeking his 250th win as a head coach on Sunday...The 18th ranked Pack is in the top-10 of the A.P. poll for the 10th straight week - its longest stay since 1988-89....The 1988-89 season was also the last time NC State won six of its first eight conference games....In conference games, the Wolfpack leads the league in field goal percentage (.504) and 3-point percentage (.442). NC State is second to Duke in scoring (79.4).
