State overcomes Florida hangover, beats Holy Cross

09-10 Basketball38

After a first-half performance that looked like the entire Elon game (which for those who have forgotten was absolutely terrible), the Wolfpack got it together in the second half and beat Holy Cross 87-70. The Wolfpack scored 54 points in the second half.

There were stretches in tonight’s game, especially in the second half, where NC State looked like it should playing Holy Cross — completely dominant. The problem was that those stretches were paired with scoring droughts and periods where the Pack looked lost. Holy Cross has been an NCAA team in the past, but the group that came to the RBC Center tonight was not overly impressive.

Farnold Degand’s solid play at the point tonight (12 points and 9 assists) showed once again that Julius Mays should not play at the one, ever. Mays did have a solid game offensively (15 points) as far as shooting the ball goes, but he’s not a PG.

Since Sidney Lowe’s rotations have yet to show any signs of consistency, here’s a thought on how to handle this group of guys.

Starters

Javi Gonzalez
CJ Williams
Scott Wood
Dennis Horner
Tracy Smith

First off the bench

Farnold Degand (for Williams)
Josh Davis (for Williams or Wood)
Richard Howell (for Horner of Smith)

Bench

Jordan Vandenberg (for Smith)
Julius Mays (lord help us)
Deshawn Painter (not sure what’s up with Painter, he didn’t play against UF or tonight)

Comment with your thoughts on the rotation issue and check back tomorrow for more on the basketball team at this point in the season.

09-10 Basketball

38 Responses to State overcomes Florida hangover, beats Holy Cross

  1. Sw0rdf1sh 01/06/2010 at 9:51 PM #

    Second half looked good, I thought the entire team played well. Nice assist from Vanenberg to Josh Davis for a good dunk. From the Internets feed my first glance I thought it was Smith dunking.

    Mays had a good game, at times has played very well for us…..I keep hoping he will progress like Javi. (even though I have to say prior to this year Mays has hit more big shots for us than Javi….Javi is just now looking to be the ball handler)

    Degand….nice wheels kid.

  2. imawolf 01/06/2010 at 9:56 PM #

    I have been screaming for Degand…… he is not afraid to attack and create opportunities. Post game interview Coach says whomever is playing well will play. Well, I think Degand plays well and needs to play….. I do like this team,,,,

  3. D_Medlin 01/06/2010 at 10:00 PM #

    Degand with nine assists…pretty impressive. And only two turnovers.

  4. Rochester 01/06/2010 at 10:03 PM #

    I like your rotation, but I’d start Degand over Williams, with the caveat that Javi and Degand don’t rest at the same time. Keep one or both on the court at all times.

    Painter doesn’t look ready to contribute from what I’ve seen on TV. He looks very athletic, but out of control.

  5. Class of 2009 01/06/2010 at 10:04 PM #

    A surprisingly good game from Mays, as well. If he showed up like this to the rest of the games from here on out, I might feel a little worse about benching him next year…

  6. D_Medlin 01/06/2010 at 10:09 PM #

    One ugly note from the box score, State got out rebounded 37-34.

  7. MA Wolfpack 01/06/2010 at 10:37 PM #

    I don’t think you change the starting 5. CJW will give us double digit points in a few games and he’s a “glue guy” that plays hard. Also, you can bring Degand & Mays off the bench together because Mays needs help handling the ball. Mays and CJW should never be our 2 guards on the floor.

    With the front court, the goal is to give Smith, Wood and Horner as many minutes as possible. The other guys are there to give fouls, rebound and play defense. Any points they give us is a complete bonus which is fine…you need those types of players off the bench.

  8. Defenestrate 01/06/2010 at 10:44 PM #

    back from the game… the post is pretty accurate, thx & welcome aboard Mr. Medlin.

    We had patches of great defense, questionable defense, and the same duo on offense.. We left too many guys open for threes, allowed too many easy drives to the basket, but we also blocked a number of shots and used the PRESS SUCCESSFULLY for at least two of HC’s positions (I almost creamed myself when this happened). HC looked miserable on defense and their feeble press was busted repeatedly, leading to plenty of easy shots at the end of the game.

    I liked that Lowe left in the “rotating 10” until the last 30 seconds…

    I like your rotation Medlin, but I think Painter can stay on the bench except for emergencies. The 10 players above him should get 99% of PT.

    I’m also on the Degand over Williams bandwagon.

  9. Clarksa 01/06/2010 at 10:49 PM #

    Offense was working in the first half…but the wide open shots just were not falling. Insert a little energy and things turned around. Overall, not a bad game considering how the last one ended. We just can’t lose to UVA…it would be very bad for the program.

  10. leewolf 01/06/2010 at 10:52 PM #

    We started out shooting 2-15 but that wasn’t the fault of the offensive sets, just poor shooting. They pulled their heads out of their butts by midway through the first and then really pulled away in the second. Overall I was pleased. If not for Holy Cross shooting lights out from three and the refs being laughably bad and giving the Crusaders twice as many FTs as State, this one wouldn’t have been very close in the second.

    On to UVA. I feel pretty good about it to tell you the truth.

  11. 61Packer 01/06/2010 at 10:56 PM #

    UVA is likely the worst team in the ACC this season.

  12. AveryPage 01/06/2010 at 10:58 PM #

    yeah what is up with painter?
    and i have never really been to impressed with cj.
    i just wish degand could keep some consistency. he’s probably the quickest player on the team.

  13. MrPlywood 01/06/2010 at 11:06 PM #

    FTs = 11/12, a definite improvement. Maybe Sid took someone’s advice and they just shot free-throws all practice.

    LOL – just checked who made the FTs, and Smith was 9/10, Mays was 2/2. Only 2 of ours guys went to the line?

  14. Sweet jumper 01/06/2010 at 11:33 PM #

    Pretty good second half. First 12 minutes of the game were painful, but if Woods had made half of his threes in the first 12 minutes, we would have had a workable lead early. Woods has a nice stroke, and I think he will become more consistent with experience, hopefully in time for the bulk of the ACC season. Woods is a smart player and a very good defender, so he gets minutes even when the shot is not dropping. Degand definitely has his speed and full range of motion back with no hesitation. He ran the break very well tonight. He always seems to be looking for Woods and assisted on two of his threes. While Mays scored tonight and did not hurt us, he did not face a press, and I am positive that every ACC team will press the hell out of us when he is in the game after reviewing FL game tape. He should never be on the floor without Javi or Degand in the game, and he should never be the primary ball handler against pressure defense. This team plays hard and seems to pull for each other and maintain a good attitude throught the game. The marked decrease in whining and laziness over past seasons is a welcome change. C’mon Pack, beat the Wahoos and even up you conference record. Go Pack!

  15. Sweet jumper 01/07/2010 at 12:00 AM #

    Welcome Derek Medlin. Are you related to Ken Medlin at WRAL?

  16. Derek Medlin 01/07/2010 at 12:22 AM #

    Haha…I get that a ton.

    Not that I know of, but some of my family is from this part of the state so I could be somewhere down the line.

    I grew up in the western part of the state but I have family from the Wake Forest area.

  17. wolfpackattack89 01/07/2010 at 3:34 AM #

    I can’t stand CJ.
    I’m not sure what he brings to the table.
    Can someone enlighten me as to why he starts over Farnold?

  18. PoppaJohn 01/07/2010 at 7:51 AM #

    Sadly I think CJ starts because we need FD to backup the point.

  19. wolfmanmat 01/07/2010 at 8:21 AM #

    Starters or not, Degand is getting alot of PT. we only have 4 deep at guards so I am okay with Sid playing alot of players this early in the season. Javi got PT as a fresh/soph and it has really made him a much better player.

  20. Wisc-Wolf 01/07/2010 at 9:37 AM #

    I belive Degand has earned the starting position over Williams, although I get the feeling Williams is one of the leaders of the team in the locker room. Vandenberg has been a pleasant surprise and should get 8 – 10 minutes a game.

  21. GoldenChain 01/07/2010 at 9:44 AM #

    I don’t see any reason that CJ should be playing, much less starting.
    And I agree that Mays definately looks like a 2gd.

    I also understand how the team could come out a little flat after the FLA game. Thankfully they overcame it.

  22. Ed89 01/07/2010 at 10:13 AM #

    Wood — not Woods…

    Farnold is playing the 2, not the 1, so he’s not backing up Javi, he’s backing up CJW. I agree with the post that it is good to play Farnold with Mays because Mays lacks speed. Mays is still playing the PG position when he’s in with Farnold. Another note is that Howell led the team and pulled down 7 rebs in very few minutes. CJW needs some confidence in not only hitting 3’s, but creating off the dribble. He has a nice midrange game if he would only use it.

  23. pack44fan 01/07/2010 at 10:27 AM #

    Personally, I like Degand in place of Williams with Williams coming off the bench. I think Javi or Farnold should be the primary ball handlers at all times with Mays playing the 2 guard. I would also like to see Horner play less minutes with more minutes going to Howell and Vandenburg.

  24. Thinkpack17 01/07/2010 at 10:33 AM #

    “Farnold is playing the 2, not the 1, so he’s not backing up Javi, he’s backing up CJW.”

    Without a doubt Farnold was playing the one last night with Mays at the 2. I don’t care that we label him as a 2 now, he was our PG last night and Mays was merely a spot up shooting option. We need Farnold coming off the bench because he is the best combo guard we have. Plus it seems he plays better coming off the bench. Last year he drove us crazy when he started.

  25. rtpack24 01/07/2010 at 10:58 AM #

    Williams plays hard and it a good athlete. However playing hard should be a given. Degand should start. Against Fl’s press we had no trouble when he was in to bring it up. His speed adds an element to our team that none of our other guards can provide. I believe that Richard Howell will end up being a major contributer. Sidney tends to put guys in the doghouse and makes it difficult to get out. Glad they could get a win after the heartbreaker against Fl. Marq. beat Georgetown last night. Last year Degand’s knee was still giving him trouble. He is healthy now and deserves a chance to start and play minutes. Sidney has player rotations unlike any coach I have seen.

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