North Carolina State University Athletics
Tony Haynes: Defense, Determination Send NC State to Second Round
3/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 17, 2006
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By Tony Haynes
Dallas - What goes around comes around. Back in 2003, Cal's Richard Midgley broke NC State's heart by drilling a clutch 3-pointer in overtime, lifting the Golden Bears to a dramatic 76-74 NCAA Tournament win. But on Friday night, Midgley walked off the court knowing just how the Wolfpack felt that day in Oklahoma City. This time, it would be Cameron Bennerman's turn to deliver a knockout 3-ball that sent the Pack into the second round. It swished through the net with just 32 seconds remaining on the game clock, and just two ticks remaining on the shot clock. Breaking a 52-52 tie, Bennerman's heroics made the Pack a 58-52 winner and snapped a four-game losing streak.
And perhaps it was only fitting that Bennerman freed himself with a shot-fake. Early in the game, the anxious Bears seemed to leave their feet on every shot-fake, opening up avenues for drives and trips to the free throw line.
But the game-winner will be the one everyone will remember. With the shot-clock winding down, Bennerman showed the ball to California center Rod Benson, who went flying into press row. Bennerman then calmly took a step to his left, set his feet, took aim and stuck a dagger.
"First of all, your teammates have to have confidence in you," Bennerman said. "Second of all, we practice putting ourselves in game situations; we work on pump fakes and drives. All the things we do, it isn't luck or mishaps; we work on these things. We're blessed to make it to the second round and I was lucky to make that shot, but anybody could have made that shot."
Anybody could have, including Tony Bethel. Mired in a deep shooting slump over the last four games, the senior proved earlier in the second half that NC State would not go away on this night. With just over seven minutes remaining, the Wolfpack was protecting a three-point lead when Cal's Omar Wilkes made an improbable 3-pointer just before the shot clock expired. Receiving a pass in the left corner after he had already left the floor, Wilkes somehow caught the ball in mid-air and threw up a prayer that was answered.
Not flinching, Bethel pushed the ball up the floor and hit a 3 of his own to provide an immediate answer.
"I think that was a key play in tonight's game," Bethel said. "For them to hit a crazy shot like that and then us coming down and getting it right back was big. I got an open look and knocked it right down."
Bethel's shot made a statement, but it wasn't the only statement that the Pack's veteran point guard made on Friday.
"I thought Tony Bethel did an extraordinary job all night long providing us with leadership," said NC State head coach Herb Sendek. "When you looked in his eyes and when you heard his voice, he provided that calm reassurance that a team needs in a close game and on a stage like this. I'm not surprised that he stepped up and made the shot that he did. He just had a tremendous disposition tonight all the way around."
Yes, there were some big time shots taken and made, there always are in games like this. But in reality, NC State may have won because of its second half defense. After California took a four-point lead at the half by shooting 52 percent from the floor, the Wolfpack dug down on the defensive end and locked the Golden Bears up after intermission.
During a 16-4 run that pushed the Pack in front, NC State forced nine misses on 10 attempts by the Bears. And most impressively, center Cedric Simmons, with help from his teammates, controlled Cal star Leon Powe most of the night. One week after erupting for 41 points against Oregon in the Pac-10 Tournament, Powe was held to 14 points and 11 rebounds by NC State. Great numbers for many players, but not for a guy who came in averaging 20 points and 10 boards per contest.
"I thought we played excellent team defense tonight," Sendek said. "Our guys really did a great job of preparing throughout the week. Cedric drew Powe most of the night, but I thought all the other guys were very aware of where he was and did a good job of helping to him."
After going through a tough stretch himself, Simmons was back to being a factor down low on Friday, scoring 12 points to go along with six rebounds. But his best and most important work occurred on the defensive end.
"They fronted real well and kept a man behind me," said Powe, who was just 5-of-13 from the floor. "When I did catch and dribbled, they all converged on me. They just kept people in the lane waiting for me when I got there, even when I beat my first man."
California shot just 33 percent and scored only 23 points in the second half. Gaining confidence and life from its work on the defensive end, the Wolfpack knocked down 57.9 percent in the second 20 minutes.
Now the Pack will make it a full weekend in Big `D.' In this case, `D' could stand for defense and determination.
