Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Wolfpack Basketball
Some columnists and bloggers are predicting a surprisingly good season for the NC State men's basketball team. This topic is covered at our new local blog, ACC Hoops.
While I think NC State will be competitive this year, I do not see great team in its immediate future. State has a deeper bench this year, but there are also some glaring problems.
Team leader Julius Hodge is not an offensive force night in and night out. Compounding the problem with his inconsistent play is his inability to move the game to another player when his shot is cold. Randolph Childress kept his Wake Forest teams from greatness with this trait, even with Tim Duncan on the squad.
Coach Herb Sendek is committed to playing hard defense, which is essential to success in college hoops. However, his motion offense will never produce a great team. The Wolfpack will not be a significant offensive threat to a capable and disciplined defense. Rebounding will also be an issue with no significant experience among the Pack's big men.
The bottom line is this State team will be pretty good, and it might have a nice upset or two, but I look for it to be fourth or fifth in the ACC's regular season. I do not see this team advancing past the sweet 16 team in the NCAA tournament.
While I think NC State will be competitive this year, I do not see great team in its immediate future. State has a deeper bench this year, but there are also some glaring problems.
Team leader Julius Hodge is not an offensive force night in and night out. Compounding the problem with his inconsistent play is his inability to move the game to another player when his shot is cold. Randolph Childress kept his Wake Forest teams from greatness with this trait, even with Tim Duncan on the squad.
Coach Herb Sendek is committed to playing hard defense, which is essential to success in college hoops. However, his motion offense will never produce a great team. The Wolfpack will not be a significant offensive threat to a capable and disciplined defense. Rebounding will also be an issue with no significant experience among the Pack's big men.
The bottom line is this State team will be pretty good, and it might have a nice upset or two, but I look for it to be fourth or fifth in the ACC's regular season. I do not see this team advancing past the sweet 16 team in the NCAA tournament.
