North Carolina State University Athletics
Valvano Eager for Third Campaign with Wolfpack
10/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 14, 1982
RALEIGH A squad of 14 players 10 returning lettermen and four newcomers checked in at Reynolds Coliseum [Oct. 14] for NC State's annual Media-Photo Day to officially commence practice for the 1982-83 season.
Thurl Bailey, Dereck Whittenburg and Sidney Lowe, counted on as starters for the third straight year, head a list of returning veterans, while 6-7 Alvin Battle, a junior college transfer, and 6-4 Ernie Myers, a blue-ribbon high school All-America, topped the group of rookies.
"Under normal conditions, I think we would be a better ball club,"Â said coach Jim Valvano, whose team finished 22-10 last season and participated in the NCAA Tournament, "but conditions aren't normal.
"First, we've got new rules. Not only that, we've got to play 14 conference games under one set of rules and 13 (non-conference games) under another. Last year, we relied heavily on multiple zone defenses, but with the 30-second clock, you're going to have to play mostly man-to-man.
"Then there is the schedule. It's a lot tougher. So, really, we're going to have to wait and see. We've certainly got to develop more depth. Still, I feel we'll play well in the conference and in post-season play, assuming, of course, that we get a bid."
State, which finished fourth in the ACC with a 7-7 record in 1981-82, returns three of its top four scorers from a year ago, led by the 6-11 Bailey at 13.7 points per game. Whittenburg, expected to be the Pack's top 3-point shooter, averaged 13.4 points, while Lowe was at 8.5 points. All three are seniors.
Storied Reynolds Coliseum, which currently is undergoing a renovation program, drew almost as much attention from the media as did the players. The balcony seats, which have been dark green since the building was opened in 1949, have been painted a bright red. The synthetic playing floor has been re-surfaced and re-painted, and the official scorer's table along with the player benches have been switched from the west side to the east side.
A brighter lighting will also be installed over the playing court before the remodeling is completed.
