Thursday Compendium: Basketball Edition

October 13, 2011

NC STATE BASKETBALL

EDWARD G. ROBINSON III (N&O)
Pack’s outlook a mystery

Thus far, players said, they’re pleased with the uptempo, UCLA-style offense that Gottfried – a former Bruins assistant – has installed in limited workouts.

“I like that he’s going to let us play this fast-pace game,” Leslie said.

N.C. State junior Scott Wood said the team’s general style of play will be different from the past.

“Last year, a lot of people saw a lot of selfish play or a lot of individualized play,” Wood said. “This year, there’s going to be a lot of team stuff, more of the extra passing.”

Gottfried said expectations are clear for players: Defense and rebounding equate to transition offense.

“Where we want to be is a team that absolutely puts pressure on teams to get back quickly, and we want to score in the open floor and in the break,” Gottfried said. “Now we have to teach a team how to do that.”

He said there’s no magic dust to sprinkle.

“It’s a process,” Gottfried said. “We have to be good at a lot of other areas that then ties into a fast break. It’s easy and fun to say that we’re going to run and score 100 every night. The reality is there’s a lot that goes into that.”

Brett Friedlander (starnewsonline.com)
What’s in a name? For Calvin Leslie, it’s not-so-subtle message

Yes, a lot of things have changed for the Wolfpack since Mark Gottfried took over for Sidney Lowe at the end of last season.

Including at least one player’s name.

Although the sophomore forward whose last name is Leslie may still be listed as “C.J.” in game programs and over the PA system at the RBC Center, when it comes to the man in charge, he’s now known as “Calvin.”

“It’s time for a new start with him,” Gottfried said of Leslie. “(Senior swingman) C.J. Williams is C.J., Calvin is Calvin.”

When asked how Leslie likes the change, the new State coach smiled a wry smile and said simply, “That’s his name.”

The message he’s sending came out was loud and clear.

It doesn’t matter what Leslie likes or dislikes. As the man in charge, Gottfried he can call his player whatever he likes.

If anyone on the Wolfpack roster is in need of such a not-so-subtle kick in the shorts, it’s Leslie.

Akula Wolf (BackingthePack.com)
Hoops Media Day Wrap: Calvin, Defensive Boards, And Ben McCauley’s Feathered And Lethal Cameo

Gottfried said at NCSU’s media day Wednesday that coaches talking about running more is similar to a politician talking about cutting taxes.

Gottfried pointed out the effort the players have put forth under new strength and conditioning coach Bob Alejo, and that with solid defense and rebounding, he expects the Wolfpack to get out and run more. He half-joked that it’s hard to run if you have to keep waiting for the ball to go through the net.

“It’s fun to say we’re going to run and score 100,” Gottfried said. “Can we do it? We’ll see about that.”

GoPack.com
Men’s Basketball Holds Media Day

TheWolfpacker.com
Notebook: Dail Center gets new facelift

There are also two new banners for the national championships at NC State hanging in the gym. Those are just a few of the prominent changes that has helped to give the Dail Center a facelift. New graphics also are on display in the lobby, among other changes.

“I like the two banners with the two championships and have the graphic of winning the championship and have David Thompson, who is probably the greatest player to play here,” Williams said. “He is the greatest college basketball player, and that shows the tradition and what we want to build to.

“There are a lot of pictures up. Upstairs in the coaches office, every guy who had their jersey honored, there is a picture of them or a graphic of them. It shows our tradition.”

Ryan Tice and Jacey Zembal (TheWolfpacker.com)
NC State committed to running game

* The coach said he thinks that his team is starting to get it. He said his staff has now laid down what the initial expectations are for the squad and the coach has been pleased with his players’ response. He said the team looks very hungry.

He said anytime there’s a new coach, there’s a learning curve for the players. The team has to figure out what the coach likes, how to get into the playing rotation. The staff’s expectations are for players to play hard and if they don’t do that, they won’t play.

Gottfried said he wants a team that wants to be around each other.

* The coach said his offense has a point guard, two wings who are basically interchangeable and two posts who are basically interchangeable. He hopes Calvin Leslie can do a little of both. He doesn’t necessarily have a “center” in his lineup but likes what Jordan Vandenberg and DeShawn Painter add down low. He said it’s unfortunate they are in the same class, and in an ideal world there would be a year of separation.

FayObserver.com
N.C. State players ready to “earn” NCAA tourney berth under new coach Gottfried

THE BIG QUESTION

Unity. N.C. State’s players appeared to be sleep walking through games at times last season and displayed little team chemistry. “I feel like last year was kind of sporadic,” junior forward Scott Wood said. “We’d decide come together as a team for maybe one game and then the next game we’d play like a bunch of individuals.” Gottfried has attempted to address the issue prior to the start of preseason practice by issuing packets to the players featuring inspirational quotes. “He told us we’ve got to be like we’re in the Army,” Wood said. “If you’re next to someone who doesn’t really care about you, it gets kind of dangerous out there.”

Brett Friedlander (starnewsonline.com)
Scheduling for a 14- or 16-team ACC? Coach K’s got a plan for that

No matter how the league ultimately decides to handle scheduling under its new alignment, the one thing Krzyzewski doesn’t want to see is a “pod” system that creates four clusters of four teams grouped together on a regional basis.

“Pods are one of the worst business models possible,” Krzyzewski said. “I just break out into a rash when I hear it.

“When you’re expanding, you’ve got to develop rivalries with everybody. A pod thing … What, are you going to put Duke North Carolina, State and Wake in one so we have a North Carolina conference? That’s good for our national recruiting. Those kinds of things are just disastrous.”

NC STATE FOOTBALL

The Sports Xchange (PackPride.com)
A Chance To Heal

BYE WEEK MISSION: The Wolfpack need to find out who’ll be available from a health perspective going forward as some injured players are expected to be ready to return to key roles following the layoff. Addressing defensive breakdowns will be a priority as well and there are numerous examples to use as motivation, including a late-game 77-yard touchdown play for Central Michigan in the most-recent game. “It will give me something to bang at them all week in practice,” coach Tom O’Brien said.

LOOKING AHEAD: The Wolfpack has strictly ACC games remaining, with three home games and three road assignments. Because two of its victories are against Football Championship Subdivision teams, N.C. State must reach the seven-win mark to qualify for a bowl. That means winning four of its remaining six games. The slate includes unbeaten Clemson and once-beaten North Carolina and previous Top 10 team Florida State.

PackPride.com
Searching For Continuity

Wanted to ask about Mike Glennon at this point. His progress from the first snap of spring practice to now. Where is he as compared to how you thought he would be, and how is he at running a college football team at this point?

I think he’s made great strides since the first game of the year. First time to start in three or four years since he finished up his high school career. I think he’s certainly done a good job. He has [16] touchdown passes with four interceptions, which is a high ratio right now. He’s completed almost 65% of his passes.

He might be a little better at this point than we expected. Certainly he’s showing signs of quarterback that we thought he could be as he keeps going forward. He keeps getting better each and every week. That is the thing we like most about him.

ACC FOOTBALL

Jim Young (accsports.com)
Teleconference Tidbits, Oct. 12

One of the silver linings from the gray cloud of injuries that’s hung over N.C. State’s defense is that it’s sped up the development of some of the Wolfpack’s younger players. Tom O’Brien singled out redshirt freshman defensive end Art Norman, in particular.

“He’s better off if he would be playing about 25% of the time. Now he’s playing 75%, and doing a pretty good job for us right now.”

MULTIMEDIA/PODCASTS

GoPack.com
Inside Wolfpack Sports

In today’s episode, Don Shea visits with freshman place kicker Niklas Sade after practice.

Jacey Zembal (TheWolfpacker.com)
Video: Mark Gottfried on Wolfpack’s freshmen

NC State coach Mark Gottfried broke down his class of 2011 during Wednesday’s media day.

Power forwards Thomas De Thaey, small forward Tyler Harris, and shooting guard Jaqawn Raymond, all will be counted on to play roles this season for the rebuilding Wolfpack, who have 10 scholarship players.

Jacey Zembal (TheWolfpacker.com)
Video: Mark Gottfried’s press conference at media day

NC State coach Mark Gottfried was asked about every scholarship player on the roster, expectations for this season and what kind of style of play to expect from the Wolfpack this season.