The only significant player they lost was Afflalo, while they gained a legit post scorer (which is what they've lacked the past few years), its not like they lost multiple starters.

11/15/2007 1:06:28 PM

whereas carolina just lost guys.

11/15/2007 1:09:29 PM

after watching their 2 games that were televised, i thought they were a legit top 5 school. they have a lot of talent and athleticism on that team.

11/15/2007 1:17:52 PM

aha anyone see the college hoops 2k8 commercial, Mike Conley Jr finally tells Oden what everyone's been thinking

11/15/2007 7:50:16 PM

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/ncsu/story/773407.html

Speed is small part of State's arsenal
Lowe teaches leadership to point guard Degand

Chip Alexander, Staff Writer
RALEIGH - Farnold Degand's teammates at N.C. State have exhausted every description of the 6-foot-4 point guard from Boston.

"He gets there pretty fast," junior Courtney Fells said of Degand's burst and quickness with the ball. "One dribble, he's there."

Senior Gavin Grant said there have been times he's filling a lane on the fast break, only to have Degand speed by him.

"It's like 'Hey, man, slow down!' " Grant said with a laugh.

Sophomore forward Brandon Costner took a different tact. Degand, he said, "is like a little Sonic the Hedgehog."

Sonic, the blue-furred video-game hero, is faster than the speed of sound. Degand, Costner said, is "just as fast as Ty Lawson," using North Carolina's point guard for a real-life comparison.

But NCSU coach Sidney Lowe doesn't just have a need for speed. He wants someone to efficiently run the Pack's offense.

"Just control the team and make sure we're winning," said Degand, a sophomore. "I mean, it can't be any simpler than that."

Degand will start when the 21st-ranked Wolfpack begins its season tonight against William & Mary at the RBC Center. Freshman Javi Gonzalez, back from a thumb injury that required surgery, will play and Fells could spell Degand and Gonzalez for a few minutes.

"And if they need me ... ," Grant said.

Maybe not this year, Gav.

State's bench is filled with point guards, albeit in well-tailored suits and -- harrumph -- past their playing primes. There's Lowe, associate head coach Monte Towe, assistant coach Pete Strickland, basketball operations director Quentin Jackson, administrative assistant Justin Gainey.

"Everybody gives me advice," Degand said with a grin.

Is that a problem?

"There's never too much advice," he said. "They teach me something new every day."

Lowe took a hands-on approach with his point guards in the preseason. He was there to help Degand, a transfer from Iowa State, learn to read defenses and resist the urge to turn every possession into a 94-foot race. He explained the intricacies of the offense to Gonzalez and sophomore point guard Marques Johnson, another transfer, who will be eligible after the first semester.

Lowe said that wasn't the way when he played at State. His coach, the late Jim Valvano, just handed him the ball -- and the responsibility that went with it.

"He put a lot of trust in me," Lowe said. "It's kind of like a little baby. You throw him in the water when he's never been in the pool before. You throw him in and you let him survive.

"That's kind of what Coach did to me at times. He put me out there and I'd look over there and he wouldn't give me any help. I had to fend for myself."

It won't be that way with Degand, Gonzalez and Johnson, Lowe said, adding, "I'm going to throw them a life vest."

Degand did not play at Iowa State as a freshman, redshirting that year. Gonzalez has ball-handling savvy and nice shooting form. But he was playing at Krop High in Miami this time last year and missed a chunk of preseason work at State after tearing a ligament in his right thumb.

"It's a demanding position," Lowe said. "You have to make sure that you're doing what the coach wants you to do. You have to make sure you're watching your teammates -- who's playing hard, who's not playing hard.

"I've talked to Farnold, Javi and Marques about knowing your teammates. You've got to know their personalities. You have to be able to tell when one of your guys is pouting because he hasn't gotten a shot yet. You have to be able to call the number for him or pat him on the back.

"You're the captain. You have the ball. You're the leader."

The Pack is nationally ranked and picked to finish third in the ACC, but the point guard question lingers. Costner, Grant, Fells, Ben McCauley -- they're proven. Few doubt the potential of freshman big men J.J. Hickson and Tracy Smith. Dennis Horner and Trevor Ferguson add solid depth.

But can the point guards do their part?

"It's good to have a couple of options," said Dan Bonner, a college basketball analyst for CBS and Fox Sports. "In case something happens with one, you can try another. How they solve that problem is the key issue this season."

Degand's outside shooting -- "He shoots it OK. I'm not going to say he's a knock-down 3-point shooter," Lowe said -- will be tested. There will be times when he's leading the break and running solo and will have to back off.

As for sharing playing time with Gonzalez and Johnson, Degand doesn't foresee a problem.

"It's a positive thing," he said. "I don't know why everybody is making it out to be a competition or anything. Javi's going to help us win. Marques is going to help us win. So whoever will help us win, I'm going to be like 'the more the merrier.' "

11/15/2007 9:28:25 PM

Clemson survived their trip to Mississippi State 84-82.

11/15/2007 11:48:12 PM

^ I'm hoping the other ACC teams don't fuck all up early in the season with bad losses....if we do well, I don't want anyone trying to discount the ACC schedule (outside of duke/unc)

11/15/2007 11:50:46 PM

^^that was a great game, definitely came down to the last minute or so...nice to see an ACC team get a good win against a quality SEC opponent this early in the year. All this crap about the ACC being garbage this year is obviously overblown.

11/16/2007 12:58:13 AM

looks like we won't be in Maui in 2009 either.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=ncb&id=3115697

Maryland gets the go

11/17/2007 10:23:26 PM

virginia took it to #17 arizona on the road. we'll be moving up into the top 20 but virginia might be a threat now. They play cuse soon we'll find out.

11/18/2007 3:13:02 AM

end of the va-az game was retarded though.

down by 3 and arizona had about 4 chances in the last 20 seconds. they did not attempt a single 3 point shot to tie the game, although they missed every single put back.

11/18/2007 3:27:42 AM

^^ We still have a game tonight.

11/18/2007 9:31:08 AM

http://www.oldspiceclassic.com/pdfs/07oscBcracket.pdf

Here's the bracket for the Old Spice Classic.



I see us beating Rider. South Carolina beats Penn State. We beat South Carolina. Villanova beats UCF. Kansas State beats George Mason. Kansas State beats Villanova in a close one due to Beasley. We beat Kansas State b/c the team plays like a team, and Beasley can't handle Hickson, Brandon, and Ben. JJ and/or Ben posterize Beasley during the game for one of ESPN's Top Ten Plays of the Day. Hopefully this becomes reality and isn't just wishful thinking.

When ESPN was just advertising Feast Week, they showed Gavin pumping his fist when they showed the Old Spice Classic.

[Edited on November 19, 2007 at 9:29 PM. Reason : ]

11/19/2007 9:28:10 PM

^ that can happen. i am not very optimistic right now that it will.

11/19/2007 9:45:13 PM

If we win the Old Spice Classic do you think we will get back into the Top 25? That would set up a likely Top 25 match-up against Michigan State.

11/19/2007 9:49:18 PM

if we beat kansas state, i'd say we definitely get back in the top 25

11/19/2007 9:55:07 PM

we'd have to make quite a few strides in the next few days...

11/19/2007 9:56:03 PM

most definitely

11/19/2007 9:56:57 PM

I just hope the team learns to take it one game at a time from here on out. I think they'll be fired up for Thursday. The only thing I'm worried about is our shooting percentage. We have to start making jump shots if we're going to beat some of these teams, and shooting slumps can be contageous among players and get into a team's head sometimes. Hopefully one or two good shooting nights can break the rust and turn their confidence around.

11/19/2007 9:59:56 PM

we're 32 right now. moving up 7 spots isn't much.

11/19/2007 10:00:29 PM

if we win the old spice we will be ~20-23

the loss last night didn't do anything but wake our ass up a little bit

11/19/2007 10:03:55 PM

Poll skew time for greatest college basketball upset. Get it done guys.

http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/ncb/index

11/20/2007 4:29:14 PM

herb's got some solid lookin' freshman. harden, abbott and mcmillan will be bigtime.

11/20/2007 4:32:14 PM

uh how are we last

11/20/2007 4:37:25 PM

had to break down and order Full Court tonight... get to see Tennessee play

11/20/2007 7:19:35 PM

UNCW is currently beating Indiana

Finally this Big Ten (HD) network has paid off... well besides the App State / Michagan game



lets go Seahawks!!!!!!!!!

11/20/2007 7:25:11 PM

voters dont know shit as far as that poll goes

11/20/2007 7:30:12 PM

NC Wesleyan is beating EZU lol


Sean Sutton looks like he should be wanted for something

[Edited on November 20, 2007 at 7:42 PM. Reason : ]

11/20/2007 7:40:22 PM

Tennessee is up 13-0, MTSU has 5 turnovers, 0 shots attempted haha






JaJuan Smith has 20 points in 10 minutes... MTSU has 4 hhaha

[Edited on November 20, 2007 at 8:00 PM. Reason : d]

11/20/2007 7:42:31 PM

so much for UNCW :/

11/20/2007 8:14:56 PM

Tennessee up on MTSU 103-38 with 2 somethin' left in the game!!

[Edited on November 20, 2007 at 9:35 PM. Reason : Hellz yeah! Go Vols!!!]

11/20/2007 9:22:05 PM

109-40 F


and MTSU isnt completely horrible



is McDonough drunk??? Duke game was 2-0, he said "biggest lead by either team all game"

[Edited on November 20, 2007 at 9:36 PM. Reason : d]

11/20/2007 9:27:39 PM

we're so invisible we can't even win that poll. too bad they don't realize they are giving us credit by doing that. either that or they don't know shit about the past and are like "houston? a middmajor? thats no upset"

11/20/2007 9:58:44 PM

The V Foundation and ESPN Launch Jimmy V Week to Raise Awareness for Cancer Research Nov. 28-Dec. 4

Week-Long Initiative to Feature Special Content Across Multiple ESPN Entities Including Simultaneous Launch on Numerous ESPN Platforms, Men’s and Women’s Jimmy V Basketball Classics, Marathon Chat by ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons, and Jim Valvano Themed Marathon on ESPN Classic

The V Foundation for Cancer Research and ESPN will launch Jimmy V Week, a new week-long initiative across multiple ESPN platforms and programs featuring special content to help raise awareness for cancer research, from Wednesday, Nov. 28 to Tuesday, Dec. 4.

The debut of Jimmy V Week Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. ET will feature several special elements including:

* A simultaneous launch across numerous ESPN entities (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN360.com and Mobile ESPN) and the ABC SuperSign in Times Square featuring a special Jimmy V Week introduction and a complete presentation of Jim Valvano’s poignant speech at the 1993 ESPYs.
* A marathon chat session on ESPN.com by Bill Simmons.
* An ESPN telecast of N.C. State, where Jim Valvano coached from 1980-1990 and won the 1983 NCAA Championship, at Michigan State men's college basketball game immediately following the special simultaneous open at 7 p.m.

As part of Jimmy V Week, ESPN Classic will offer a Jim Valvano-themed marathon leading up to the Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classics December 4 beginning at 12:30 p.m. The schedule will include:

Time Show
12:30 p.m. Up Close Classics: Jim Valvano
1 p.m. 1987 ACC Tournament Championship (N.C. State defeats North Carolina)
3 p.m. 1983 ACC Tournament Championship (N.C. State defeats second-ranked Virginia)
5 p.m. ESPN Classic Big Ticket: 1983 National Championship featuring N.C State vs. Houston (features the game plus interviews with former N.C. State guard Dereck Whittenburg and Houston All-American Clyde Drexler)

11/20/2007 10:09:16 PM

Duke's complete lack of offensive rebounding looks really familiar

where have i seen this before??

11/20/2007 11:00:32 PM

[Edited on November 26, 2007 at 8:20 PM. Reason : damn you imageshack]

11/26/2007 8:14:31 PM

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/818325.html

Wolfpack's Costner in supporting role

Chip Alexander, Staff Writer
RALEIGH - N.C. State's Brandon Costner wants people to know he's not lazy.

He's not jealous of freshman J.J. Hickson.

He's not thinking of the NBA.

And, yes, the sophomore forward said, he realizes he must be a more aggressive rebounder and more effective defender.

"I do think some people misunderstand me," Costner said in an interview this week. "I'm not that real fiery guy or the real enthusiastic-looking kind of guy, but people shouldn't make it out that I don't care or I'm lazy.

"People may say I'm lazy, but if you ask the people who know me, I want to win more than anybody out there. I don't take plays off. I play at the speed I'm comfortable with, that I have been successful with. I play as hard as I can. I just do it in a more quiet manner."

Costner's game was anything but quiet late last season. In the ACC Tournament, he worked over Duke for a career-high 30 points and had 28 in the championship game against North Carolina. He set the school record for points in the tournament and was a unanimous pick to the all-tournament team.

"The loss to Carolina was a big motivation for him for this year," said Costner's father, Tony, a former star at St. Joseph's. "Brandon is passionate about the game. He has that poker face on the court, but he is very passionate about winning."

Costner, a third-team All-ACC selection last season, was only the seventh freshman in ACC history to lead his team in scoring (16.8 ppg) and rebounding (7.3). He also topped the Pack in 3-pointers with 61.

The not-so-quiet whispers began -- one more big year and he might jump to the NBA.

But the offseason wasn't what Costner hoped it would be. An injury to his right knee hindered him in tryouts for the Pan American Games, perhaps costing him a spot on the U.S. team.

"It's 100 percent now, but it bothered me for about six weeks in the summer," Costner said. "I couldn't run. I'm a gym rat but couldn't get in all the summer work I wanted."

He did spend time lifting weights, adding more than 10 pounds. By the end of the summer, he had 248 pounds on his 6-foot-9 frame -- more muscle but a bit too bulky, he said.

"I'm back down to about 240 now," he said. "I feel better."

In State's 4-2 start, Costner's numbers have dipped. He's averaging 10.5 points on 33.3 percent shooting from the field -- 31.8 percent on 3's -- and getting 5.7 rebounds a game.

"It's early in the season," Tony Costner said. "He's working hard, trying to be the leader the team needs. He has the ability to score 30 points in any game, but he's more concerned with doing what's asked of him."

Costner scored 21 points in the Pack's 63-61 win over South Carolina in the semifinals of the Old Spice Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., but he was in foul trouble and took three shots against Villanova in the final. He had only five shots in State's loss to New Orleans, scoring seven points.

"I'm definitely not playing for the NBA," Brandon said. "If I was playing for the NBA, I'd be putting up 15 or 20 shots a game. That's not the case."

It has been Hickson who has emerged as an NBA prospect. At 6-9 and 242 pounds, he has been a load in the paint, powering his way to the basket, blocking shots, working the boards.

When Hickson is on the floor, he often is the Pack's No. 1 offensive option. He has taken playing time away from junior forward Ben McCauley, a starter last year, while putting Costner on the perimeter in a number of State's offensive sets.

"I've heard it said that me and Ben are jealous of J.J.," Costner said. "That's not the case at all. We're all close. We hang out together. There are no chemistry problems on this team.

"We have a new post player and point guard this year. That's a big adjustment. Ben and I try to help J.J. as much as I can. The guy's a beast. He's a great player."

Hickson had 21 points and 10 rebounds in the Pack's last game, the 81-58 loss at Michigan State in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Costner was 2-for-9 from the field, managed four rebounds and was not active defensively. He was on the bench much of the second half.

The game was the fourth in seven days for the Wolfpack, which flew back from Florida on Sunday and then to Michigan on Tuesday. NCSU coach Sidney Lowe praised the Spartans but also said he believed the Pack played on "tired legs."

"When we watched the film, coach said, 'These things happen' and, 'I know y'all were a little tired,' " Costner said. "But we know we can't use that as an excuse. We played poorly and we've got to play a lot better.

"We can't take back the past. Just get better."

12/8/2007 1:12:54 PM

actions speak louder than words there Costner

Cause right now he's playing like a grade A fatass


I'll believe when I see it

12/8/2007 1:28:23 PM

Quote :

""When we watched the film, coach said, 'These things happen' and, 'I know y'all were a little tired,' " Costner said. "But we know we can't use that as an excuse. We played poorly and we've got to play a lot better."

wow. pathetic.

12/8/2007 1:35:23 PM

I get concerned when he isn't playing aggressively, fighting for rebounds, playing solid defense, and taking it up strong. I certainly don't expect him to be out there screaming on the court Brenda Haywood style.

12/8/2007 2:34:31 PM

So the final day of exams is Dec. 18th. That means that Marques Johnson will be able to play vs. Davidson on the 21st correct?

12/10/2007 9:29:26 PM

^I thought he still couldn't play until January for some reason. But I may be wrong.

12/11/2007 9:46:17 AM

nah it's after exams are over...he's good for the Davidson game

12/11/2007 10:48:10 AM

Cincinnati and Xavier playing on ESPN2. They're playing pretty decent and leading by 4 with 4 minutes left in the 1st.

We get to play these guys on the 23rd, just 2 days after Davidson.

12/12/2007 7:38:15 PM

the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout (no i'm not joking) got a little testy a few minutes ago.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crosstown_Shootout

[Edited on December 12, 2007 at 7:51 PM. Reason : ]

12/12/2007 7:51:15 PM

Quote :

"Skyline Chili is unique in that it is not chili con carne, the meat dish that originated in (and is the state dish of) Texas. Neither is it a Chili-based stew with beans and tomatoes such as is California-style chili. Instead, Cincinnati-style chili is a sauce usually used over spaghetti or hot dogs, containing a unique blend of spices that gives it a very distinct taste."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyline_Chili

Chili on spaghetti? Eww?

12/12/2007 8:01:44 PM

WTF Cincinnati?

Seriously that sounds gross.

[Edited on December 12, 2007 at 8:03 PM. Reason : ]

12/12/2007 8:03:19 PM

I'm going to predict that Cinci assumes the position and takes it in the ass in the second half. But I'm secretly praying they blow out Xavier so it won't look as bad if(when?) they beat us.


^ that shit makes me think of the spaghetti at two brothers (or is it two guys?) on hillsborough street. Their spaghetti sauce, honest to God, tastes like Hormel chili with a little tomato sauce mixed in.

[Edited on December 12, 2007 at 8:09 PM. Reason : .]

12/12/2007 8:05:17 PM

LOL @ BC

12/13/2007 9:09:31 AM

why no sc state game thread ncsuftw1?

12/14/2007 2:39:23 PM