Tuesday, November 23, 2004
deep dish
Mike DeCourcy writes that the North Carolina State Wolfpack are deeper this year than they were last.The quality of the bench was evident in an impressive opening victory against New Orleans. [Coach Herb] Sendek used three freshman forwards: Gavin Grant, Andrew Brackman and Cedric Simmons. The Wolfpack recorded assists on 24 of their 35 baskets in the UNO game, with guards Julius Hodge, Engin Atsur and Tony Bethel getting 15 of them.
An important observation. Julius Hodge is a stud, night-in, night-out. Tony Bethel will contribute significant points and minutes, as should Ilian Evtimov. But aside from an inside presence, depth was the biggest question mark for the Wolfpack entering the 2004-2005 campaign. If Grant, Brackman, and Simmons all prove to have the skill and maturity to merit a nine- or 10-man rotation, Sendek's club goes from ACC sleeper to ACC spoiler.
