North Carolina State University Athletics
Tony Haynes: Wolfpack Tries To End Slide
2/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BY TONY HAYNES
Naturally, if the answer was as easy as pointing a magic wand toward the sky and getting the desired results, Lowe would have done it long before Wednesday. But in a league as powerful and balanced as the ACC, nothing comes easily, especially for teams that get into the habit of losing.
It’s a habit the Wolfpack (15-11, 4-8) will try to break again when it visits
“It hasn’t been about X’s and O’s the last four games,” Lowe said. “It’s about going out and continuing to compete for 40 minutes and not giving in to fatigue or runs by the other team. We have to be tough. Right now, people are jockeying for position so they’re going to come out and be physical and tough. We have to do the same thing. Right now we’re taking that blow, especially in the second half when teams turn it up. We have to deliver that blow.”
Using Lowe’s boxing analogy as a backdrop, it would be fair to say that NC State has been like a punching bag these last four games, absorbing a lot of haymakers in the late rounds. The Wolfpack’s last four opponents have averaged 59 percent shooting in the second half. That inability to get defensive stops at crucial times has, inevitably, put too much stress on the Pack offense to produce points on just about every possession.
By the second half against
“We were looking for energy and defense,” Lowe said. “Actually, that group with Tracy and Ben in there at the four and five positions did a pretty good job and they executed on the offensive end. Defensively, J.J. wasn’t good. We needed to get some stops; it wasn’t about us scoring on the offensive end at that point.”
For all the discussion about NC State’s fading postseason hopes, the Wolfpack is now at the point where it just needs to win A game. Period. With a 4-8 conference mark, nothing short of a miracle will land the Pack a spot in the NCAA field. The lofty goals and expectations of October have now given way to the reality of February, a reality that tells us that this NC State team is one that plays good basketball in stretches, but has a difficult time sustaining the type of execution, focus and energy required to win games against quality competition.
And while
Speaking of leaks, the Cavaliers can only hope NC State’s perimeter defense remains as leaky as it has been in recent games. Top level point guards, in particular, have had their way with the Pack over the last few weeks. First, it was
On Sunday, most of NC State’s defensive attention will be locked in on All-ACC point man Sean Singletary, who averages nearly 19 points and six assists per game. A penetrator and shooter, Singletary possesses the kind of skills and quickness that the Wolfpack has often struggled to deal with this season.
Singletary’s basketball skills are equaled by his toughness and competitive drive, attributes that have positioned him to be remembered as one of his school’s best ever players.
It’s the same kind of resiliency and toughness NC State will need if it is to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat.
“It’s concentration, it’s focus and just being tough,” said Lowe. “In the second half, teams are going to come out turn up the intensity level and get more physical and tougher. We haven’t answered that call yet. That’s puzzling to me, it really is. We’re having a difficult time dealing with adversity. Teams make a run and we have a tough time making a run right back at them. That’s something that’s been plaguing us.”
