North Carolina State University Athletics
First Impressions After Exhibition
11/8/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
RALEIGH, N.C.- After a long offseason away off the court, NC State Wolfpack fans were eager to see their young team on the floor. Tonight, that is exactly what they received. All of the Pack's players got a chance to show their talent in some way and head coach Mark Gottfried seemed to be pleased with the effort.
"It was a good game for our team," the fourth-year head coach said. "We have a lot of young guys. We turned the lights on and put people in the stands."
At first glance, it was hard not to notice the loss of TJ Warren. With the 2014 ACC Player of the Year now in the NBA, his absence was felt. With that being said, this first exhibition game showed exactly what Mark Gottfried said one could expect: a young team with a lot of potential, but also a team that has a lot to prove.
After a slow first half, the Wolfpack was able to pick up the pace offensively and give the crowd some things to get excited about. Besides Caleb Martin's performance in the first half, it took some time for the players to shake their nerves. Once they did, it was a pretty sight.
Caleb Martin was the story of the first half- scoring 10 points and proving he could play on both ends of the floor. Whether it was stealing the ball and converting for a dunk, or showing everyone he can hit the three as well, Martin did it all. Playing extremely aggressive and with heart, Gottfried has a lot to look forward to with this Martin twin. Tonight he showed an attractive charisma that will make him well liked by Wolfpack fans.
"When you get your chance to go out there, you've just got to send a message," Martin said on his performance. "All of our wings and guards played well together."
Highly touted Alabama transfer Trevor Lacey made his first basket of the night with 18:04 to play in the second half, but found his rhythm shortly after ending with seven points and three steals.
On what may have been the cause of that, Lacey said that the team came out without a lot of energy.
"We came out flat. You can't play any game like that," Lacey said.
Freshman Abdul- Malik Abu also got into a groove during the second half, finishing with 14 points behind Caleb Martin's team high of 16. The future seems to be very bright for Abu, as he will prove to be a game changer once he gains more experience.
Getting to play in his first collegiate game, Abu said it was everything he had ever dreamed of.
> "I just want to be known as the guy that comes in and plays hard to help my team win. If I have to grab ten rebounds, I'll grab ten rebounds. If I have to score, I'll score. If I have to come in and play defense I can do that too," Abu said.
Overall the Wolfpack offense seemed to be more balanced, with all teammates constantly looking to dish the ball to someone else on the court.
Defensively the Wolfpack looked especially strong. Queens allowed 30 turnovers along with 15 blocked shots. Sophomore Kyle Washington had a team high of seven rebounds, while Kyle Washington and Lennard Freeman contributed seven more for State's 19 total for the night.
BeeJay Anya, a fan favorite, proved to everyone that his weight loss efforts were well worth the struggle, blocking shots and giving fans the big dunk that they were waiting for.
In its first game of the season in PNC arena, the Wolfpack proved they could end up being a team that shouldn't be slept on. Gottfried said that his team was deeper and quicker defensively, and hopes that it can become an identity of the team.
--by Kendra Stowe
