North Carolina State University Athletics
HAYNES: Pack Ready for ACC Tourney Meeting with Maryland
3/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BY TONY HAYNES
After putting in a two-hour workout during a closed practice at Morehouse College on Wednesday morning, the Wolfpack also participated in the obligatory show practice’ at the Georgia Dome. As members of the media looked on, coach Sidney Lowe’s Pack held a low-key workout at the site of the 56th ACC Tournament, although in this case, the 50-minute practice was perhaps more useful than others of its type at previouse tournament venues.
The cavernous Georgia Dome, with its massive shooting backgrounds, offers up a different feel for shooters. How NC State and the other teams adapt to the odd surroundings could say a lot about how they’ll do as the tournament unfolds this week.
“It is a strange feeling,” said Wolfpack forward Brandon Costner. “You’ll shoot a ball that you think feels normal and it’ll hit the backboard or come up short. It takes a lot of getting used to and repetition, but I think we’ll be fine.”
Motivation should be in plentiful supply for the Wolfpack, which had one of its more lackluster outings down the stretch in a 71-60 loss to the Terrapins at the
As the final seconds ticked off in a game that was no longer in doubt, Vasquez trotted down the floor and drained an unguarded 3-pointer that drew the ire of an already disappointed band of Wolfpack fans.
While admitting that the shot “ticked me off and I felt somewhat disrespected,” Costner says NC State can’t become overly preoccupied with trying to avenge one play in a game that slipped away.
“No, because we felt like we should of beat
Often flashy and flamboyant on the floor, Vasquez is rarely reluctant to wear his emotions on his sleeve and seems to relish those moments when he succeeds in getting under the skin of his opponents.
He’s good and knows it, one reason
“Everybody is different,” Williams said. “Players show their emotions in different ways and that’s what makes basketball great. Greivis is Greivis. He’s going to do some things that if he was playing on another team I’d be upset at, but if he played on their team they’d love him too. The bottom line is he’s a good person and he’s been a great player in a year when we really needed a great player to step up for us.”
After beating NC State in
For NC State, a second appearance in the postseason NIT in the last three years is possible, but not a certainty unless the Wolfpack can play well in
After missing last Saturday’s regular season finale at
It was no fun sitting and watching as NC State squandered a nine-point halftime lead in a 72-64 loss to the Hurricanes last weekend.
“It was very difficult,” Fells said. “I wanted to be out there and make a difference in the game. I felt like I could have played, but my warm up didn’t go well and coach told me to sit out and get ready for the ACC.”
After resting for a couple of days, Fells first tested the groin in practice prior to the team’s flight to
By game time on Thursday night, he says he’ll be thinking more about controlling Greivis Vasquez than being concerned about his injury.
“This will be my last ACC Tournament so I’ll definitely block it out,” Fells said. “I’ll be ready to go.”
The winner of Thursday’s match-up will advance to the quarterfinals for a 7 p.m. meeting with
