CJL: What folks are saying

12-13 Basketball Mark Gottfried55

Today was a huge day for State fans. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. We’re excited, and rightfully so. For the first time in two decades we have competent leadership, a coaching staff that embraces the lofty expectations of this passionate fan base and an experienced team committed to winning championships. And now today, with Calvin making official his decision to return, we turned the tables on NCStateSh** (even though it’s impossible to define exactly what it is, we all know it when we see it). We’re not safe yet, but today was like our D-Day, and Calvin’s decision is our beachhead.

We haven’t hung the banner(s) yet, but it should be fun to watch Gottfried’s second team work towards it.

Here’s what folks are saying.

C.J. Leslie (WRAL):

“I still haven’t reached the goals I wanted to reach,” Leslie said Wednesday. “That’s why I came back for another year. We started a good thing last year, I thought we might as well finish it.”

…

“I think I can improve on everything, what I did good and what I didn’t do so well,” Leslie said. “I have to step up and take on that role (as a leader). I think I am ready to take the team on my back.”

Brett Friedlander (Wilmington StarNews Online):

“After talking this over with my family, we have decided it would best for me to return for my junior year,” Leslie said in the statement. “I’m on track to graduate, which is important to me and my family and I’m excited about building on what the team accomplished last season. There are parts of my game I want to continue to work on and take more of a leadership role with the team.”

Leslie’s return immediately establishes the 6-foot-9 junior as a frontrunner for ACC Player of the Year honors next season. It also strengthens his team’s status as the team to beat in the league in 2012-13.

Dick Vitale (@DickieV):

NC ST Super 7 with CJ Leslie returning. #MarkGottfried

Coach Lee Folwer (@Lee_Folwer):

well, i guess cj leslie would rather live with a cougar than die with the bobcats.

Jim Young (ACC Sports Journal):

The widely held assumption was that Leslie was a guy itching to go pro and would do so even if his draft prospects weren’t that great. Instead, Leslie took his time, gathered information and concluded that he could do better for himself and his family if he went the patient route and came back for another season of college basketball.

If Leslie takes that sort of level-headed approach to his on-court performances next season, expect big results – both for him and for the Wolfpack.

Speaking of the team outlook …

…

It’s a scenario that has to quicken the pulse of every N.C. State fan: Leslie dominating on the boards alongside Richard Howell; Leslie out-quicking bigger defenders while jumping over and shooting over smaller opponents. Leslie attracting so much attention from defenses that Scott Wood gets plenty of open looks, Howell gets plenty of weakside offensive rebounds and freshman Rodney Purvis has plenty of open lanes that he can use to attack the basket.

If something like that comes to fruition then yes, N.C. State would be the best team in the Triangle and, by extension, the best team in the ACC and one of the best in the nation.

Luke DeCock (N&O):

A little more than a year ago, it was possible Leslie might not even come back for his sophomore year, let alone his junior year. So much has changed since then, and not just N.C. State’s run in the NCAA tournament. Leslie has embraced the program’s new direction; as much credit as the coaching staff has gotten for Leslie’s maturation, the 20-year-old deserves as much for making the most of it.

And now, his decision to return changed the entire landscape of the ACC. N.C. State is not a prohibitive favorite to win the league, but with four starters returning and three superstar freshmen arriving, the Wolfpack is as talented and experienced as anyone.

Ryan Greene (Yahoo!):

Wake Forest won the ACC regular season title back in 2003, marking the last time that Duke or North Carolina didn’t at least grab a share of the crown.

N.C. State appears to have a legitimate chance to end that run in 2012-13. The Tar Heels lost a wealth of talent to the NBA Draft, and next season will be playing with a mix of role players from the 2011-12 campaign, guards coming back from season-ending knee injuries and unproven freshmen. Meanwhile, Duke has plenty to prove after a season in which its defense leaked profusely and it was ultimately victim of a monumental upset in its NCAA tournament opener at the hands of 15-seed Lehigh.

A couple of programs — such as Miami and Maryland — could make a push toward the league’s upper crust, but there will once again likely be a visible divide between the handful of real contenders and the rest of the pack in 2012-13.

With Leslie’s return, it solidifies N.C. State as a member of that exclusive club, if not the odds-on preseason favorite.

Eamonn Brennan (ESPN):

Which is why this is such a thrilling time to be a Wolfpack fan. NC State fans are among the nation’s most dedicated and hungry for success. They’ve never accepted the role of third fiddle willingly, but for much of the past decade, as Herb Sendek decamped for Arizona State and Lowe fell astoundingly flat as his replacement, they’ve had to swallow an utter lack of success on a year-in, year-out basis. Now, with Gottfried reloading and Leslie returning, they may just be the favorite to win the ACC.

It’s been a long time since we could say that. Relish it, Wolfpack fans. It appears, after so much misery, your time has finally come.

SFN member codebrown (via text message):

“[LRM] if we win the acc title, you’re going to see me cry like a woman”

I think we all hope I get to see that, buddy.

Now go on over to the SFN Forums and talk about this or a variety of other relevant or irrelevant topics.

About LRM

Charter member of the Lunatic Fringe and a fan, loyal to a fault.

12-13 Basketball Mark Gottfried

55 Responses to CJL: What folks are saying

  1. Tau837 04/20/2012 at 9:40 AM #

    First off, this is awesome news that Leslie will return. IMO it is the right decision for him, based on everything we know, and it obviously is a huge boost for State’s team in 2012-13.

    As for playing time, consider the minutes played in 2011-12:

    Brown 34.3
    Wood 32.9
    Williams 31.1
    Leslie 29
    Howell 27
    Painter 20
    Johnson 19.5

    These are the players who played in every game for which they were healthy. More minutes should be available for Leslie (hopefully no more cramping, starting every game, and never fouling out with 8 minutes to play) and Howell (hopefully less foul prone).

    Assuming no more significant changes to the roster, I’d expect something like this in 2012-13:

    Brown 34
    Purvis 29
    Wood 30
    Leslie 30
    Howell 30
    Lewis 16
    Warren 16
    Vandenburg/TDT/Harris 15

    With regard to Vandy/TDT/Harris, I think those guys can combine to be very effective. I expect all of them to improve by next season, and they can be used differently according to matchups and how they are playing.

    I think Vandenburg has quite a bit more potential than some here seem to think. In two back to back games against Princeton and Vanderbilt last season, he played a total of 40 minutes and had 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 4 fouls, 3 turnovers, and went 4-4 from the field. That’s pretty damn good for a role player and a guy who is the 8th/9th guy in the rotation.

    If Jefferson chooses State, that would change things quite a bit, probably lowering 2012-13 minutes for Howell and Warren as well as Vandy/Harris/TDT. That would fall into the “good problem to have” category.

    Where Jefferson really matters most, and what hopefully appeals to him, is the opportunity in 2013-14 and beyond. If he views himself as one and done, he likely won’t pick State with Leslie returning. So if he does pick State, I assume he’ll be here at least two seasons.

    Best case scenario for us next year is that Brown and Leslie both continue to improve and are 1st team All ACC. If so, I will assume both will go pro after the season. And Howell and Wood will graduate. So in 2013-14, we could be looking at a starting lineup like this:

    PG Lewis
    SG Purvis
    SF Warren
    PF Jefferson
    C Vandenburg (or a recruit?)

    That’s a nice prospect for Jefferson IMO. Come in this year in a class with Lewis, Purvis, and Warren, and by year 2 all are starting together as sophomores. He would assure himself of being surrounded by talent but also of having a great opportunity in an offense well suited to his game.

    If Jefferson doesn’t pick State, the frontcourt certainly looks like a weak spot entering 2013-14 as of right now. However, I have every confidence that Coach Gott and the staff will continue to bring in talented players and will take care of it one way or another.

    CWTNY

  2. NcStChamps24 04/20/2012 at 1:47 PM #

    Huge boost for us next season. Calvin has improved sooo much since his freshman yr. He has transformed into a different person under gott. He its a matchup nightmare for almost every team not only in the acc but the country. Main thing we need next yr is for TDT and Vandy to step up. Not much credit is being given to TDT he didnt get much play last yr but when he did he was a force on the boards reminds me of howell but with a better shot. Vandy is what he is a big body who has developed alot but still far from a big minute player. With the frosh class we have and the established talent already, this upcoming season is looking more promising every day. CMON AMILE!! GO PACK!!!!!

  3. Tau837 04/20/2012 at 2:09 PM #

    ^I hope TDT has a better shot than Howell, but he sure didn’t show it last year… he was 9/33 from the field (.273) and 2/13 from behind the arc (.154).

    Hopefully he will make a significant improvement from his first year to his second year.

  4. TeufelWolf 04/21/2012 at 2:27 AM #

    Thank you CJ. Can’t wait until next year!

  5. virginiawolf 04/25/2012 at 8:40 AM #

    On a slightly different note, I just read in the N&O that Levi Watkins has accepted a coaching position and will no longer be at STATE … happy for Levi, but will miss seeing him. Over the last 10 or so years he has been on our bench … and for some reason that gave me a sense of stability. Thanks Levi for your contributions to STATE as a player and staff member, you have always represented us well.

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