BBall Recruiting Analysis: State Lands Point Guard (Updated 11am)

Basketball Recruiting General NCS Basketball58

Head Coach Sidney Lowe and N.C. State received a basketball commitment from 6-foot-1 point guard Julius Mays, a highly rated junior from Marion, Ind.

Mays, who was being recruited by several Big Ten schools, informed Wolfpack coach Sidney Lowe and his staff Thursday he planned to play for the Pack. Mays won’t be the first point guard to come to NCSU from Marion. Wolfpack assistant coach Monte Towe, the star point guard on the 1974 NCAA champions, also is from Marion.

Mays is about to begin his junior season, so it is hard to know very much about him as most basketball recruiting rankings don’t really start to take form until the junior year. Mays averaged 17 points a game as a sophomore in a strong Indiana High School Basketball program. He is expected to be listed as one of the dozen best high school basketball players in the talent-rich state. SFN’s ‘choppack’ was kind enough to share some information/comments about Mays in about the 8th or 9th comment included below this entry.

With transfer Farnold Degand also on the Wolfpack’s roster, the Pack now projects two have athletic ‘combo’ guards that can fill time it either position in the backcourt if needed. We think that Mays is projected to ultimately be a pure point guard; he is currently listed at six feet one inches and 170 pounds and is projected to grow some more.

The following is a projected roster for the Wolfpack’s Basketball program in the coming years. Below the roster are comments and analysis. For the sake of discussion, we are taking the liberty to project some commitments as placeholders for scholarships. The positions listed beside the players are their natural positions; certain players could fill in at other positions if needed.

Projected 2007-2008 NC State Basketball Roster

Senior Class
(1) Gavin Grant (2G/3F)

Junior Class
(2) Courtney Fells (2G)
(3) Ben McCauley (4F/5C)

Sophomore Class
(4) Brandon Costner (3F/4F)
(5) Trevor Ferguson (2G)
(6) Dennis Horner (4F/3F)
(7) Farnold Degand (1PG)
(8) Bartosz Lewandowski (5C)

Freshman Class
(9) Johnny Thomas (3F)
(10) JJ Hickson (5C/4F)
(11) Open (SFN: Projected Tracy Smith (4F))

HS Senior Commits
(12) Julius Mays (PG)
(13) Open (SFN: Projected CJ Williams (3F))
(1) Gavin Grant’s old scholarships Open (SFN: Projected Top 100 Post player)

* 4-star power forward and one of the country’s Top 50 recruits – Tracy Smith – has announced that he has academically qualified with strong SAT scores. Smith is thought to be a heavy lean to the Wolfpack and we therefore have projected him into State’s 11th scholarship.

* Many rumors have swirled on the internet that a very highly ranked potential “mystery recruit” for the Wolfpack in the class of 2007. We have not shared any comments about this recruit(s). What we will share is that IF the Wolfpack can land either (or both) of the two potential (longshot) names that we have heard, then we fully expect the Pack to allocate scholarships to these players. This is a slam dunk decision.

* We think that the NC State coaching staff believes that Farnold Degand will be more than serviceable to run the point next season in light of the amount of versatile offensive talent that the Pack will be able to put on the floor in names like- Fells, Grant, Costner, Hickson, McCauley, Horner, (hopefully) Smith.

* Based on (1) Farnold Degand’s presence/ability to handle the ball next year after Engin Atsur leaves, (2) the in-roads that Coach Lowe is making with prospects in the class of 2008 and (3) the commitment from Julius Mays…we project that the Wolfpack will try to sign Tracy Smith with the third scholarship in the class of 2007 and then close the book on the class (unless we land a Top 30 “Mystery Recruit”).

* Chris Warren, a 5-11, 165-pound point guard in the class of 2007 visited NC State recently. Warren was an option that the staff was considering for future point guard needs and ultimately chose to pass. (With Mays commitment, that becomes more clear). Warren is one of those situations where so many people on the internet prove that they simply don’t listen. We say posts on some message boards asking why State had ‘rescinded’ Warren’s offer…and proclamations that State should jump all over the short point guard with a valuable scholarship. Not that it will make one ounce of difference, but people who don’t know what they are talking about should not speak.

* As we hypothetically look to the future recognizing that many of these comments are speculative, the primary gap that may otentially arise in the future of the program (’09, ’10. ’11) is a little bit of a deficiency in pure outside shooting. If recruiting efforts ulitimately comprised a roster similar to what we have projected, the one future need that State may need in the class of ’08 or ’09 is a stud shooting guard; we’re talking more of a Rodney Monroe shooter than a Gavin Grant ‘versatile’. We have all the faith in the world that Courtney Fells is going to be a monster at the 2G in the coming years, but the need for appropriate talent behind Fells in future recruiting classes is something on which we will keep our eye.

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Basketball Recruiting General NCS Basketball

58 Responses to BBall Recruiting Analysis: State Lands Point Guard (Updated 11am)

  1. Astral Rain 10/27/2006 at 1:34 PM #

    One good, but small problem, I see. If someone we end up with Picket as well- what are we going to do with 3 good PG’s. Hopefully we don’t end up with the waiver wire, or one of them can legitimately play the 2. This year is going to stink, but I can put up with 3 years of stink for a brighter future. I saw the post above that went with expectations- honestly I think it will take one more year, but if Lowe is a decent to good game coach, and I see no reason why he wouldn’t be, then I see State getting back to among the elite ACC schools, though it will be a rougher climb in the old days.

  2. class of 74 10/27/2006 at 1:35 PM #

    This is just the start. Sidney Lowe will be every bit the complete package that Case and Valvano were. Recruiter, motivator and game coach, he will be special and I base it on his background as a player in high school and college. Very few guys have had his exposure to such great coaches in those areas. And to think we had idiots posting here claiming he would be a bust! Hogwash!! He has yet to win his first game but I firmly believe in this man and IMHO we could not be in better hands for the longterm.

    As an aside, IMHO Rodney Monroe was a scorer more than a pure shooter. He might shoot 8 times one night and 25 or 30 the next but you would almost always get 18 to 21 ppg from him and occasionally he would blow up for 30+ on those special nights.

  3. Woof Wolf 10/27/2006 at 2:06 PM #

    http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/rankings

    Coaches poll is out. Four ACC teams in the top 21. We’re not ranked.

  4. RickJ 10/27/2006 at 2:07 PM #

    “One good, but small problem, I see. If somehow we end up with Picket as well- what are we going to do with 3 good PG’s.”

    This reminds me of the same issue we have had with QB’s. I am way more worried about not having one good PG than what are we going to do with three.

  5. newt 10/27/2006 at 2:09 PM #

    I said on 10/12 in response to Hickson’s committment that our next big need down the road is a pure SG to replace Fells. Immediately, another commentor told me that I was “way off.” Oh well, mark me down as one who agrees wholeheartedly with SFN that we need a pure shooter to round out our future roster.

  6. packbackr04 10/27/2006 at 2:20 PM #

    wow, great posts on here, i agree with almost everything that is being said!
    and thanks sfn for putting up the scholly situation for the coming year.

    let me get this straight though… we may 2 more commits for the class of 07 IF we get these 2 mystery recruits… that doesnt leave anythign else for 08 does it?

    SFN: If we got these two commits then:
    (1) we will be so good that you won’t care about future classes
    (2) one of these commits could be a one-and-doner and we would have the scholarship available again.

  7. Rick 10/27/2006 at 2:23 PM #

    SG,
    IMO shooting comes from repetition. You practice shooting until your shot is an natural as breathing. Once you are at that stage shooting becomes about confidence. If you believe it will go in, it will. That is why I think shooting can be taught. It does take alot of effort and discipline from the player but it is not like speed or jumping ability. Those attributes you either have or you do not.
    I agree that we need that type of player, I guess what I am saying is if you get the right type of athlete, I think you can turn him into a scorer.

  8. ShootingGuard 10/27/2006 at 2:31 PM #

    “Doesn’t have to be SG, just someone who can take over a game, in my opinion. Centers, like Boozer or Montross, who were almost automatic, when they caught the ball might be just as effective.”

    College is a guards game. Boozer is making millions because everyone shaded off on Jay Williams and he tossed it to Boozer who was wide open 2 ft away from the basket as a result. Montross would have never gotten the ball were it not for solid college pg Derrick Phelps, and UNC would not have won in 1993 if Donald Williams did not take over from the guard position just like SFN and I are talking about…

    “How is it that we have been able to recruit so well, what seems right out of the gate? Are our coaches really that dynamic, or is it the potential playing time, or something(s) else?”

    The short answer: A charismatic head coach + a great staff.

    The long answers:

    Integrity: When 2 guys with NCAA Champ rings from NC State tell you you can win it all at NC State, you sort of have to believe them…

    Things In Common With Recruits: All played at a high level at major D1 programs. Not totally required but can help you with today’s kids.

    Communication Skills: All are great guys and talk like ballers, not like buddha or a math teacher.

    Contacts: These guys have spent their entire lives in the basketball scene. You can’t underestimate who they have met or know and how far such contacts take them and what doors are opened as a result.

    Openness & Likeability: The head coach sets the tone for this. You can’t help but like Sidney Lowe as he is so open and personable. Even Dukie Vitale wants to give him props and help him succeed…Anyone talked to Larry Harris lately?? It’s like he was trapped in a daytight compartment and is free now…

    NBA Connections: Definitely works in Lowe’s favor with today’s kids. The fact that Pitino & Calipari & others totally sucked as coaches in the pros plus the fact that Lowe had to takeover expansion teams helps erase Lowe’s slanted coaching record in the pros. If a kid you are recruiting happens to know a pro you coached who speaks favorably about you, that helps a lot (ask JJ)…Hell, even Rasheed Wallace was giving Sid mad public props during the playoffs after Lowe was hired…

    Playing Time: Having minutes to offer at an ACC school with TV exposure certainly helps you get started quickly…(Ced = millionaire based on one great game on tv vs Duke)…(Gee, what if Coach K hadn’t decided to coach our team that game and make Ced the center of the offense?? Hmmm. We might have a true center THIS year…)

    There’s a whole laundry list of other reasons, but I gotta roll…

    Have a good weekend everybody, and let’s hope ole Tracy Smith saunters on over and makes a commitment sometime soon…

  9. newt 10/27/2006 at 2:55 PM #

    Repetition can improve shooting and really helps good shooters be consistent under pressure, when fatigued, etc.

    Hand-eye coordination is a natural gift.

  10. CaptainCraptacular 10/27/2006 at 3:04 PM #

    SFN and ShootingGuard and choppack and others: Thank you! Great reporting, good commentary, solid analysis. Super info. I know so little about basketball recruiting and the breakdown of our team needs, so this kind of entry helps out tremendously.

    Sid appears to be on a roll and it just seems like the sky is the limit. Typical State fan dreaming maybe, but it feels different this time.

  11. TNCSU 10/27/2006 at 3:33 PM #

    Like alot of things in sports – it’s practice/repetition combined with natural ability. If if was only repetition, you’d think Shaq would’ve learned to shoot a “free” throw by now. BTW, after seeing Fells the other night – although I hate to say it – he won’t be here his Senior year. The guy is good!

  12. TNCSU 10/27/2006 at 3:40 PM #

    Of course, I say that with the understanding, if … he continues improving at his current rate, works hard, etc.

  13. Mr O 10/27/2006 at 3:45 PM #

    If Brackman doesn’t play basketball, then his scholarship won’t count against the basketball program.

    Well, the transition has gone from worst case scenario to almost best cased scenario(best case included Chris Wright). Credit goes to Lowe, Harris, Town, and Strickland.

    What a great way to end the week! Now we just need to beat the Cavs.

  14. westwolf 10/27/2006 at 3:49 PM #

    The days of cobbling together some weird new roster positions is over…thank goodness. You win championships like everyone else has for the past hundred years, with a solid point guard that can handle without turnovers and looks to pass first, some big bodies underneat to defend, rebound, and at least one of whom can score, and a top-flight 2 guard, one that can either slash to the hoop or drain it all day from behind the arc. Then you play hard, get a bit of luck, and bring home a trophy.

    Coach Lowe seems to be putting those pieces together. But we need another highly skilled scoring 2 guard in the pipeline behind Fells.

  15. StateFans 10/27/2006 at 3:49 PM #

    In response to the comments about Picket —

    We have no current insight or scoop on the thoughts of the staff regarding Picket.

    On the surface, it would seem that Mays (class of ’08) may have just taken the scholly that might have been available to Pickett (’07) and that we will go with Degand for the year in-between.

    Additionally…step back and think about this. Mays is a rising junior in no hurry to commit to other schools. It would seem that if we thought that we were going to get Picket (and if we thought that he was that much better than Mays) that we would just let the Picket thing play out before offering Mays. We obviously didn’t choose to do that.

    Therefore, it would not surprise us in the least if the Picket/NC State relationship will come to a natural end very soon.

    BUT, we have NO TRUE INSIGHT into the staff’s current strategy on this since it has all happened so fast.

  16. GAWolf 10/27/2006 at 3:51 PM #

    Shooting guard has touched on something that makes complete sense. I know that throughout my educational career I always seemed to listen more intently to and learn more from my professors who had real-world experience. I could smell an academic from a mile away and had very little respect for them. It’s the old idea in college that “those who can, do. and those who can’t, teach.” The professors that had returned to teaching after some previous success in their fields always seemed to be more interesting to me.

    In coaching circles, I would say our old staff was as “academic” as one could find.

  17. westwolf 10/27/2006 at 4:37 PM #

    ^ That is an excellent insight!! It was odd to have a head coach that never played college ball of any kind.

  18. redfred2 10/27/2006 at 7:10 PM #

    I can tell you exactly why Lowe, Towe, Strickland, and the rest of the staff have gotten off to such a great start.

    It’s because they ABSOLUTELY LOVE this university, they believe in what they’re doing, and know why and exactly WHO they’re doing it for. This isn’t just another four walls with a roof on top that is occasionally filled to the rafters with nameless, faceless, people, to them. This is where they spent possibly the most memorable days of their entire lives. With those same fans watching them from the stands. The same group of fans that has been forgotten lately, were right here cheering their guts out for a group of young kids who meant more to them, than those young men could have ever realized at the time.

    They just know.

  19. Woof Wolf 10/27/2006 at 7:46 PM #

    Amen.

    In addition the coaches are warm, friendly, personable people the kids can relate to and comminicate with instead of standing at attention and obeying orders. I’m sure that they get tough with them at times, but this is different. I think we most of us feel it.

    I live in Georgia and don’t get a lot of State news from the local media. So I haven’t seen much of Sidney talking to the media. I just watched his after game press conference from Wednesday night on Pack Pass.

    Wow, was I impressed. He was open, affable and did his best to answer all of thier questions. He and the reporters seemed like friends talking about things instead of some of the adversarial stuff we have seen in the past.

    I know. He hasn’t lost a game yet and the questions are going to get tougher, but I think he will handle it. I think we may be proud of our coaches and our team for awhile.

  20. redfred2 10/27/2006 at 9:51 PM #

    Woof

    Not that it’s important to me, but Lowe has handled himself and been great with the press from day one. I still think he is getting comfortable in the overall role. His straightforward demeanor grants him instant respect and I expect his personality to come even more to light in the future. I also suspect that he wouldn’t hesitate to set a sportswriter straight if he ever deemed neccessary. Sternly, but respectfully.

    I’m hoping that after a while, his presence will start to rub off and influence those who are supposed to be his bosses.

    Speaking of those bosses, someone posted that LF popped is head out just long enough to say something about a possible recruit that Lowe and staff are doing well with. Man, it must have been really sunny in Raleigh today.

    Look out Mark Cuban, here comes Lee Fowler.

  21. VaWolf82 10/27/2006 at 10:12 PM #

    The only question in my mind now about The Sid is how good a game-coach he’ll be.

    I watched Sid play many games from the sideline student section at Reynolds. I have absolutely no concerns about his in-game coaching….and that’s coming from someone who frequently makes fun of the delusionally optimistic!

  22. class of 74 10/28/2006 at 7:02 AM #

    ^Absolutely agree. I think the biggest concern for most of us was the recruiting angle since Sidney really has never had to do that but he has a good staff around him that has done it. You couple that with his personality and it looks like we have the makings of something special. If you aren’t excited about the future of our basketball program based on recent developments you have to be out of your mind.

  23. waxhaw 10/28/2006 at 8:00 AM #

    I think part of what we are seeing is that NC State can recruit on it’s own given a more traditional offense.

    Kids want to play in the ACC and they want to play on tobacco road.

    Obviously Sid and co are showing a knack for recruiting but they have a good product to sell. We have an advantage over 95% of programs out there. How would you like to recruit someone to CUSA or something similar?

  24. vtpackfan 10/28/2006 at 8:44 AM #

    Naji Hibbert and Leshon Edwards of Baltimore. Akeem Richmond of Southern Lee H.S. Potential sg’s to fill in behind Fells, Fergueson and co.

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