North Carolina State University Athletics
HAYNES: Pack, Heels Round Two
2/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Raleigh, N.C. - Prior to Thursday's practice, NC State men's basketball coach Sidney Lowe decided to take his team to the movies. The film could have been described as a 'horror' show since it was a replay of Wednesday night's 72-52 loss to Virginia Tech.
"After they watched the film, they were a little bit embarrassed," Lowe said. "When you're in a game, you really can't see what's happening. We showed them the film and they walked out of there in disbelief. They couldn't believe some of the things we were doing. We went on the floor and practiced and had a great practice with great effort. Unfortunately, you have a game or two like that during the season."
Just 30 minutes down the road in Chapel Hill, North Carolina coach Roy Williams can empathize with Lowe's plight, given UNC's unexpected problems this season.
While NC State (14-11, 2-8) has dropped five straight conference games, the Tar Heels (13-11, 2-7) have lost seven of their last eight in league play, with the only win being a 77-63 triumph over the Wolfpack in Raleigh back on January 26.
The two teams will have a rematch in Chapel Hill Saturday at 4 p.m.
Adding insult to injury, both clubs have been victimized by what can only be described as a series of fluky injuries that have made their basketball lives even more difficult.
Sophomore center Ed Davis joined UNC's 'walking wounded' list when he broke the lunate bone in his left wrist during the second half of Wednesday night's loss to Duke. North Carolina's leading rebounder, shot blocker and second leading scorer is expected to be out for six weeks.
The Tar Heels will also be without big men Tyler Zeller (broken foot) and Travis Wear (sprained ankle) on Saturday.
For NC State, freshman forward Richard Howell is expected to be near full strength after playing just three minutes in the Virginia Tech game. Slated to start against the Hokies, Howell was scratched when his leg was cut running through the makeshift, canvas covered tunnel positioned at the corner of the RBC Center prior to the game. So instead of being introduced in the starting line-up, Howell was back in the training room receiving stitches.
Lowe said both Howell and guard Farnold Degand (thigh bruise) will be ready to go on Saturday.
"They both give us something different," said Lowe. "Richard with his rebounding and physical play and Farnold gives us that extra guy in the backcourt who can push the ball up the court or go to the basket. We definitely need to have everybody healthy."
And it wouldn't hurt if some shots started falling. A shortage of perimeter production continues to be a drag on the NC State offense. Between them, guards Javi Gonzalez, Scott Wood, Julius Mays and Degand combined for just 2-of-22 shooting against the Hokies.
And the Pack's 0-for-11 showing from the 3-point line marked the first time since 1989 - a span covering 654 games - that an NC State team had not made at least one 3-pointer.
"Offensively, I thought we'd be a little better [this year]," Lowe said. "I don't think we've progressed from an offensive standpoint. That has really dictated a lot with our team in other areas. We're getting good looks and getting the right guys to shoot the basketball. It's just one of those things where the shots aren't falling. I keep saying it's going to get to the point where everybody is making a good percentage of their shots. When that does happen, we're a different ballclub."
Very rarely if ever since the ACC was first opened for business in 1954 have NC State and North Carolina been this close to the bottom of the league standings at the same time. The Wolfpack currently resides in the basement with the Tar Heels just a half-game out of last place.
"It's a rivalry game and it doesn't matter what the records are," Lowe said. "I think coach Williams said it, the two teams are going through some similar things with youth, trying to develop and progress. It's NC State and Carolina and it's an important game for both teams. For us it's a game that can maybe start something."
