North Carolina State University Athletics
Haynes: On to Duke
1/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BY TONY HAYNES
Tip-off time is set for 8 p.m.
Facing a 10-point deficit to the Jackets with just over four minutes remaining on Saturday, the Pack was staring a 12th consecutive conference defeat squarely in the face. But this time, the team that failed to finish down the stretch in earlier losses mustered up enough gritty determination to catch Tech in regulation before eventually pulling out a much-needed 76-71 triumph in overtime.
“It was definitely one that we needed,” NC State head coach Sidney Lowe said on Monday. “I think the way we did it even helped a little more. I think psychologically it was good and we talked about that after the ballgame. Now we need to take from that and remember what we did and try to duplicate that every time we play.”
During the three-game losing streak that preceded the victory over Tech, Lowe harped on the fact that he’d need to get strong outings from at least two of his best players every time out for NC State to have a chance to win games in the ACC.
On Saturday, Lowe got what he was looking for. Redshirt junior Brandon Costner finished with a game-high 22 points to go along with seven rebounds. Senior center Ben McCauley, who totaled only eight shots and nine points in the Wolfpack’s first two league games against Clemson and
“Every team has two or three guys that they need to play well to win,” Lowe said. “Ben is one of our guys and he was unbelievable [against Georgia Tech]. He came through big in that ballgame and not just with his play, but with his leadership. He was really good.”
On Tuesday night, Lowe will again need his upperclassmen to show the way when the Wolfpack plays against one of the nation’s best teams in one of college basketball’s most hostile venues. As always, Cameron will be raucous, hot and intimidating. The building and its fans always give the Blue Devils an edge, but the biggest obstacle for NC State will be the star-studded Duke team that plays its home games on what is now known as Coach K Court.
Disruptive man-to-man defense has long been the trademark of Mike Krzyzewski coached teams at Duke, but this year’s club could potentially be one of the best defensive units the Hall of Famer has fielded in quite some time.
Not only are the Blue Devils long, athletic and interchangeable at multiple positions, they play together and with maximum effort on the defensive end of the floor.
For an NC State team that turned the ball over 22 times on Saturday and has averaged around 19 turnovers over its last four games, the task at hand is enormous.
Along with holding their opponents to 38 percent shooting from the field, the Blue Devils are forcing better than 17 turnovers per game.
“It’s something you have to deal with and it’s a challenge for everyone that they play,” Lowe said. “It’s not what they do; it’s how hard that they do it. There are other teams that try to do it, but these guys play hard. Just like our last ballgame, we’re going to have to be tougher, more aggressive, more physical and play harder. I think it’s going to be a good game, but you have to match their aggressiveness and their toughness.”
Sophomore Kyle Singler is Duke’s stat-stuffer,’ averaging 16.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, but the on-court emotional leader could very well be Gerald Henderson. Along with his solid numbers (14 points and 4.6 rebounds per game), the 6-4 junior is providing intangibles that aren’t always reflected in the numbers.
“He’s added some things to his game,” said Lowe. “He’s knocking down the jumper more and he’s taken over that role of putting the team on his shoulders.
NC State’s mental toughness will be on the line as much as anything else. Poise and composure are always primary ingredients for success on the road, especially in games played at Cameron.
Although freshman Julius Mays was NC State’s starting point guard against Georgia Tech on Saturday, Lowe wouldn’t publicly announce a starter at that position for the Duke game during a brief press conference on Monday. After a strong outing in last Tuesday’s loss at
“You know, I’m going to tell you that I’m not sure yet,” Lowe joked when asked who his starting point guard would be.
Costner averages 14.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game to pace the Pack, while McCauley is putting up nearly 13 points and eight rebounds per contest. Lowe would also like to see senior small forward Courtney Fells get it going in this game. Although he’s averaging 10.5 points per game, Fells was limited to just six shots and six points in the win over Georgia Tech.
This will be NC State’s first and only regular season game against Duke this season, and for McCauley, his last chance to play in front of the Cameron Crazies.
“I can remember my first time as a freshman,” McCauley said, recalling his first road game at Duke. “I didn’t even play, but they knew so many things about me and things I wouldn’t even imagine. It’s a crazy atmosphere but you have to love it. I think guys are excited about it.”
