The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/223560
Changing Of The Guard Anthony Barber Helps Usher In New Era Of Wolfpack Basketball N By Jacey Zembal C State freshman point guard Anthony "Cat" Barber is learning something new each game, but he knows what to do when it's time to create something out of nothing. Barber has a simple credo that he has used over the years. "I just have to do what I do and create," Barber said. "If I can, score; if not, I'll pitch it and they'll [teammates] make the shot. I know I have to keep being a leader on the court." The former McDonald's All-American has lived up to his Rivals.com ranking as the No. 27 overall player in the class of 2013. The 6-2, 170-pounder from Newport News, Va., was second on the team with a scoring average of 12.1 points per contest through his first seven college games. Barber is, however, working on improving his assist average (3.9 per game) while lowering his turnovers (2.1 per contest). He will occasionally take a wild shot or sometimes get bailed out by a referee's whistle, but he has proven to be more efficient than expected. He was shooting 53.4 percent from the field and 70.4 from the free throw line in seven outings. Tyler Lewis started the first four games, but Barber still played at least 29 minutes off the bench. Barber exploded for a careerhigh 22 points in the 82-72 overtime loss against North Carolina Central Nov. 20. With sophomore small forward T.J. Warren limited by foul trouble and the Wolfpack struggling from three-point land (3 of 20), Barber simply became the NCSU offense. He ended up going to the free throw line 16 times (making 12) and had just one turnover in 32 minutes. "I think I have always had confidence, but [that game] built it more," Barber said. Barber moved into the starting lineup in place of Lewis for the Florida Gulf Coast Through seven contests, Barber was shooting 53.4 percent from the field and ranked second on the team with a scoring average of 12.1 points per game. photo by ken martin game Nov. 26, and the passing of the torch was complete. Barber was going to drive the team, and NC State basketball is likely going to take on his style and flair for the rest of the season. "It felt good and comfortable," Barber said after State's 82-62 victory. "I've been a starter my whole life. It just feels comfortable on the floor. I'll still play my game [off the bench], but it just feels comfortable starting." Barber would have to play his way out of the lineup for him to give the keys back, and early returns are that won't be happening. FGCU]. I didn't even play well [versus Eastern Kentucky], but Cat made me look good at the end. That's all I can ask for from Cat." Vandenberg's return from a sprained ankle coincided with Barber's insertion into the lineup against FGCU. Lewis and redshirt junior wing Ralston Turner became the new guys off the bench. The new lineup had the feel of NC State going through a second opening night in a way, with Barber the new conductor. "He is a slashing, driving point guard," Vandenberg said. "He is a scoring point guard who can distribute the ball when he wants to." The Wolfpack players noticed the difference Barber and Vandenberg have made on the lineup. "I said before the [FGCU] game that it was a new beginning," Lee said. "Cat at the point and Jordan at the five is a totally different team. Jordan is a big help, too." Head coach Mark Gottfried is used to having point guards that can score the basketball. Former NBA all-star point guard Maurice Williams of the Portland Trail Blazers averaged a career-high 16.4 points per game his sophomore season at Ala- "Cat is fun to play with. He's fast, has good court vision, and he can break off a play at any point and get to the rim. I really like playing with him." ■ Fifth-year senior center Jordan Vandenberg "Both of them are good point guards, but Cat pushes the ball a lot and gives us that good scoring mentality at the point guard spot," said junior shooting guard Desmond Lee, who is from Norfolk, Va. "If you sleep on him, he'll get a layup. He brings a lot of excitement to the game." Fifth-year senior center Jordan Vandenberg knows a little about point guard play. He has played with eight different point guards over the years, but is starting to get chemistry with Barber. The young point guard committed a pair of turnovers on fast passes to Vandenberg inside that the 7-1 Australian wasn't quite ready for against FGCU. Barber later found Vandenberg in transition for an exciting dunk that brought the house down at PNC Arena. Barber learning how to play with his teammates was just as big for the Wolfpack's fortunes as Vandenberg's thunderous dunk. "Cat is fun to play with," Vandenberg said. "He's fast, has good court vision, and he can break off a play at any point and get to the rim. I really like playing with him. "We had one rusty game together [versus bama in 2002-03. Ronald Steele battled through injuries, but averaged a high mark of 14.3 points in 2005-06 under Gottfried in Tuscaloosa. Lorenzo Brown averaged 12.5 points and 6.8 assists per game the last two years at NC State, creating a recent standard of point guard play in Raleigh. "He [Barber] is so quick and can penetrate so well, but he'll get in there and get into trouble at times," Gottfried said following his team's 75-56 win over Eastern Kentucky Nov. 30. "Every part of the game for him, he just keeps getting better and better. He is learning our offense and learning what to run. He is getting confident." Gottfried pointed out that if Barber didn't miss a week of preseason practice due to a concussion, he probably would have moved into the starting lineup sooner. He simply said "it was time" following the win over Florida Gulf Coast. "He is starting to figure out when to attack and when to move the ball," Gottfried said. "That is a feel as a point guard. His quickness and ability to get to the rim is something we want him to use a lot." January 2014 ■ 45 44-46.Cat Barber.indd 45 12/5/13 2:58 PM