North Carolina State University Athletics
HAYNES: Wolfpack Hopes to Stay on Track
12/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BY TONY HAYNES
RALEIGH, N.C. -- In a matter of just one week, the NC State men's basketball team has gone from adversity to prosperity. Head coach Sidney Lowe found out how the Wolfpack (6-1) could handle adversity last week when it bounced back from its first defeat, a home loss to Northwestern. And not only did the Pack respond with a road win at Marquette the next time out, it had to overcome an 11-point halftime deficit to get it done.
There was a lot of back-slapping and high-fiving in the aftermath of the surprising triumph over the Golden Eagles. It was a feel-good win over a good team on the road.
So how will NC State handle a little prosperity?
Lowe will find out more when the Wolfpack entertains Georgia Southern Saturday afternoon at Reynolds Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 2:05.
"Winning would certainly be a good way for us to continue after that win at Marquette," Lowe said. "It would show some more growth. Being able to handle a win like that and coming back with a great performance is something you look for. It's something that can tell us more about our team."
Junior center Tracy Smith paced the Wolfpack with 19 points and 11 rebounds in the 77-73 victory at Marquette, but Smith hardly had to do it on his own. Point guard Javier Gonzalez shook off a first half hamstring injury to tally 15 points and seven assists. Senior Dennis Horner continued his consistent play with 13 points. Hounded by Pack freshman forward Josh Davis, Golden Eagles star Lazar Hayward was only 2-of-6 in the second half with five turnovers.
And for the first time all year, Lowe had all of his weapons at his disposal with the return of senior guard Farnold Degand, who had been held out the previous six games due to academic issues. Degand gave the Pack six big points off the bench, including a couple of big baskets during the second half surge that put NC State over the top.
"He gives us something different in terms of us having two guards in the backcourt that can bring the ball up the floor," said Lowe. "As good as we played in the second half, I don't know that we win that game without Farnold. They were pressing Javi and his hamstring was bothering him, but because Farnold was able to bring it up against the pressure, it relieved Javi from having to fight the rest of the ball game."
Degand's return could become even more important on Saturday if Gonzalez hasn't yet completely responded to treatment for his sore hamstring. Lowe said the junior point guard hadn't practiced all week and would be evaluated on game day.
Although Davis didn't come in as the most heralded recruit in NC State's five-man freshman class, he could be emerging as the most intriguing member of the class. The athletic 6-7 Raleigh Athens Drive high school product puts scoring on the backburner, choosing instead to excel in the areas of defense and rebounding.
Eleven of Davis'16 rebounds this season have come on the offensive glass. And with his size, quickness and strength, Davis figures to become a versatile defender who is capable of guarding up to four different positions on the floor.
Davis did have nine points at Marquette, but his defense on Hayward and four offensive rebounds defined what he's all about.
"[Scoring] isn't really important to him," Lowe said. "What's important to him is being out there on the floor and playing. What he does right now can be good enough to take him a long way. You play to your strengths, and what he does right now is more than enough."
Coming off back-to-back losses to The College of Charleston and The Citadel, Georgia Southern owns a 3-6 record to date. The Eagles did put together a strong effort against nationally ranked Florida, pushing the Gators for about 35 minutes before eventually falling 69-49 back on November 18. Willie Powers, a 6-2 senior guard, averages 14.4 points per game to lead Georgia Southern. This will only be the third ever meeting between NC State and Georgia Southern. The Wolfpack crushed the Eagles back in the 1972-73 season, 144-100. The Pack also won the last match-up in 1977-78, 98-80.
