Basketball Potpourri (Updated 10am)

08-09 Basketball39

Practice for the 2008-09 basketball season is just around the corner, and stories about the upcoming edition of the Wolfpack are starting to make their way into the papers and onto TV after yesterday’s media day.  We’ve got a few links and comments to get the ball rolling. First, WRALSportsfan.com has a story online focusing on Brandon Costner, who says that he plans to be the Costner of old, not the largely ineffective player that struggled last year:
costner.jpgCostner Eager To Resurrect Career

“It wasn’t the Brandon Costner you’re used to seeing. It wasn’t the Brandon Costner I’m used to displaying,” Costner said Tuesday. “I wasn’t healthy but I don’t like making excuses.”

Costner had ongoing knee problems last year. He injured it before the season and twice more during the year.

This year, Costner said, he is healthy again.

Last year’s team entered the season with a Top 25 ranking in many polls and high expectations of an NCAA Tournament berth. To say that last year was a disaster would be putting it mildly. This season expectations are pretty low as the Wolfpack is picked to finish somewhere near the bottom of the ACC with no post-season projections. If a strong Brandon Costner returns to the form he showed in February and March of 2007 then those low prognostications for the season could be bested.

Make no mistake about it, in addition to a resurgent Costner, Coach Lowe needs to have far more effective play in the backcourt than we experienced last year after Farnold Degand injured his knee in the 10th game of the season. Over on Gopack.com, Tim Peeler reports that Degand is ready to “Turn On The Jets Again. after major knee surgery.

[A]fter eight months of recovery and rehabilitation, Degand has been cleared to play as the Wolfpack begins its preseason drills for the upcoming 2008-09 men’s basketball season. The first full team practice is on Friday. Saturday, the team will conduct an open practice at Reynolds Coliseum from noon until 2 p.m.

“I feel fine,” Degand said Tuesday afternoon at NC State’s annual basketball media day. “We ran all the tests and it looks good. Supposedly my left knee is as strong as my right knee. I just have to get my heart rate going and get back into playing shape.”

Although the Wolfpack has added some support in the backcourt, specifically at point guard with Julius Mays, Degand was undoubtedly a couple of notches above back-up Javier Gonzalez last year. A healthy and effective Degand would go far to elevating the Wolfpack’s backcourt on both sides of the floor. Coach Lowe has indicated to some that he plans running a more uptempo and free flowing offense this season while scaling back the halfcourt sets. Degand’s speed and ball handling are KEY to supporting those efforts. Degand was obviously gaining comfort and confidence quarterbacking the Wolfpack while the benefits of his efficient outside shooting and height on defense were overlooked by some before his injury.

Additionally – before the injury – State had achieved a Top 40 RPI by winning the Old Spice Classic over eventual Sweet 16 participant, Villanova; had defeated Elite Eight participant, Davidson; and had also defeated two other Big East teams – Cincinnati in Raleigh and Seton Hall on the road. There is no doubt in my mind that last year would have turned out a lot better with a healthy Degand.

I thought Coach Lowe’s comments with reporters were very encouraging – it seems that ‘Its all about the team’ here are a lot of good quotes in that one.

The N&O’s article highlighted the team focus as well as the up-tempo comments to which we previously alluded. It also included this following piece of information from the ‘ya don’t say’ file.

Quentin Jackson, who served as director of operations for Lowe’s first two seasons, no longer is with the program, Lowe confirmed. Justin Gainey, like Jackson a former Wolfpack point guard, is serving as administrative coordinator in Jackson’s place.

Lowe said Jackson is going back into private business, which is what he was doing before Lowe hired him. Gainey is on his third year on the staff and will assist with day-to-day projects and scheduling.

We obviously chose to let Quentin ride into the sunset without making a big deal of it here on the blog, so we ask that you guys do the same.

08-09 Basketball

39 Responses to Basketball Potpourri (Updated 10am)

  1. hball57 10/15/2008 at 5:16 PM #

    Did anyone bother to read the last line in the story? Or do you just want to ignore it?

    Here it is for you:

    We obviously chose to let Quentin ride into the sunset without making a big deal of it here on the blog, so we ask that you guys do the same.

  2. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 10/15/2008 at 7:07 PM #

    ^^Hball57
    Agreed. How can any State fan have anything but good feeling towards Jackson. Looking back at old post it is clear there was concern about Jackson but I think Jackson took the job with the best intentions and tried to do a good job but it just didn’t work out.

    This shouldn’t be an issue.

  3. EverettBeez 10/15/2008 at 7:22 PM #

    N&O is adding some nice video/picture do-dads to their site lately. This includes pictures of some of the players from yesterdays event.

    http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/ncsu/photos/story/1255126.html

    You need a flash player. There are some good ones of the guys. Costner’s weight lost is clear in his pics.

    I like what I read, I hope it turns into something positive. I like that both Big Ben and Costner admitted mistakes. That demonstrates some maturity. I hope it pays off.

  4. turfpack 10/15/2008 at 7:41 PM #

    I will believe in Sid until I see different this year.This team has some potential and I hope they learn a valuable lesson=
    T-ogether
    E-veryone
    A-chevies
    M-uch
    Old but still true.
    Let’s see if Sid still get’s it -as we thought in his 1st year.

  5. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 10/15/2008 at 7:49 PM #

    How many NBA coaches move to college and win? If a coach wants to come into the NCAA they must develop a personality. Sid seems to be doing this and wants to be one of the top coaches in the country. Fans should give him a chance and let him grow into the role. I’m sure he has the ability to win.

    Sid has won championships in HS, College and in the pros in the CBA. He was the youngest NBA head coach at one time and just missed winning an NBA ring before coming to State. Lowe is a winner and can bring back the Pack’s championship history. Fans need to give him a chance.

  6. xphoenix87 10/15/2008 at 10:28 PM #

    Anyone else think that every student who possibly can should show up with signs showing love for Favors? Seriously, if we could spontaneously pack out Reynolds for his visit, how huge would that be?

  7. mafpack 10/15/2008 at 11:12 PM #

    Personally I’d rather pack out Reynolds showing all the love to our current team and simply let Favors learn what it is to be a part of the fantastic WolfPack Family. I plan to be there bright and early to see the team.

    As for Favors, he may be special kind of kid, but he’ll still only be 1 player on our team if he comes here, he’ll need to learn that – and if he does, and truly buys in, magic can happen 🙂

    Go Pack B-Ball 2008!

  8. EverettBeez 10/16/2008 at 12:11 AM #

    Good point matpack – Favors’ll be impressed when he sees how we love our team. The last thing this team needs now is the fans acting like they need a savior. You can’t blame JJ for the chemistry going to hell last year, that’s on the Coach. They are saying the right things now, lets don’t undermine what might be building.

    And that shouldn’t be read as a dig at Lowe. He is learning, I think that’s clear. We need him to be successful. I want to do everything I can do to support that.

  9. Dr. BadgerPack 10/16/2008 at 5:45 AM #

    That’s what you expect to see of any coach- whether it be his 3rd college season or 33rd in a hall of fame career. Constantly learning, adjusting and growing.

    Those who can do so well, end up being that 33rd year hall of fame coach. Those who can’t… I dare not finish that sentence. 🙂

  10. basspacker812 10/16/2008 at 7:05 AM #

    Interesting media day photos of the basketball team from N&O. Did they start a new course at the College of Design at State, Applied Tattoo Arts 101?

    Man I hate those things on college players, looks like the team spent as much time in the tattoo parlor as the gym this summer.

  11. Dr. BadgerPack 10/16/2008 at 7:13 AM #

    ^Well, if they did that as a TEAM it could be quite helpful for those pesky chemistry issues.

  12. Ed89 10/16/2008 at 8:28 AM #

    Looks like Wall will be visiting this weekend, too. This is from Scout:

    The five-star standout hasn’t scheduled any other official visits, but he intends on taking an unofficial visit to NC State this weekend.

    NC State’s campus is just minutes away from Wall’s home, and he knows that this is a big weekend for the Wolfpack’s basketball program. Not only are they beginning practice for the 2008-2009 season, but center Derrick Favors, the No. 1 player in the country according to Scout.com, will be in Raleigh for his NC State official visit.

    “I’m going to try and stop by NC State this weekend,” said Wall. “I want to hang out with Derrick Favors. He’s a good player… it wouldn’t be bad to play with him.

    Having him visit says a lot about State. He’s a real good player, ….”

    I’m liking the sound of that…#1 recruiting class in 2009, here we come.

  13. EverettBeez 10/16/2008 at 9:10 AM #

    Well said Dr. Badger, you want to see growth, improvement and ability to respond to changing circumstances every year out of everyone. Except maybe your barber, no changes there. As soon as you think you’ve got this down pat, you’ll blow it.

    Since we are approaching mid-term., all you students should remember that – learning, improvement over time, both can count for a great deal on that final grade, especially in the humanities.

  14. redfred2 10/16/2008 at 6:20 PM #

    There are some good and very positive comments on this thread. I hope we’ll remember this early in the ACC schedule as the coach and TEAM work to get their acts together.

    Ed89, I’ve mentioned it off and on, but I’ve been afraid I might jinx it. I’ve thought all along that Lowe has as good a chance as anyone at that super recruiting combo of Favors AND Wall.

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