The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/406183
96 ■ THE WOLFPACKER WOLFPACK BASKETBALL PREVIEW we were starting over to this extent," West acknowledged. "So, seeing as we don't have anyone with a lot of experience back, my expectation is to get better every time out, grow, see improvement, and by the end of the season be able to reach the goals we gave set for this team." The dilemma West and the rest of the Pack coaching staff face is that the ability to run their chosen offense, the "four-out, one-in" that took NC State to its 25-8 record a year ago, is predicated on having a consis- tent scoring presence inside. The effectiveness of that "one-in" player helps free up the other "four-out" to either penetrate off screens or, if defenses collapse on the dominating post, produce quick dish passes to the perimeter for often-uncon- tested three-pointers. "Not having that dominating post will probably mean some changes to our of- fense," West admitted, "but we still want to keep it as our base. Obviously, though, we'll be using our guards more in the beginning because right now, on paper, they'll be the ones providing most of the scoring." Still, West feels that despite the youth and lack of experience, this year's frontcourt group can develop into threats that oppo- nents cannot ignore. "There's potential," she said. "A few will probably struggle early adapting to the de- mands of playing at this level, and in this conference. The first game is going to be a shocker for some, but [strength and condi- tioning] coach [Craig] Sowers has done a great job getting them into the weight room, especially the new kids, so we were able to get a jump start on improving their strength. Now we have to work on their mentality." Rebuilding the Pack's inside game will begin with Mathurin, who enjoyed her best outing last year in the Pack's 800th program victory at Pitt Feb. 27, netting single-game career bests in points (10) and rebounds (10). "I think she's made tremendous strides from when she got here last year to to- day," West said of the Pack's first Canadian player, hailing from Quebec. "The biggest thing we need her to do is finish. Sometimes she doesn't realize how strong she is." Consistency will also be a key, Moore noted. "She was a little inconsistent last year with her performance and effort," Moore said. "She has good strength and athleticism — she can go inside and hold her own, or step outside and still have the quickness to be effective." Another option with returning experience is 5-11 junior Ashley Eli. After playing in 31 games as a freshman, she appeared in just 18 and averaged 8.4 minutes per contest last year. "Ashley isn't a scorer — she looks more to set up teammates," West added. "She moved from guard to forward last year, which may have been part of the reason she didn't get as much playing time, because she's still learning that role. But she's very smart, has a good basketball IQ, and knows how to get in there and get rebounds." There are two options for filling Gatling's huge shoes in the post. Sara Boric is the second European post ever recruited by NC State, following Latvian Inge Muciniece (2009-10). The 6-5 freshman played for Bosnia/Herzegovina in the 2013 FIBA U-18 European Championship tournament, starting all eight games and producing nine points and eight boards in a 15-point win over Austria. "She has a great build, good hands and can score around the basket," West said. "Like most freshmen, she has to get stronger and get more confident. She needs to work on her lateral movement, but she has a lot of upside — and she's hungry." Growing up playing the European style, Sara Boric, a 6-5 freshman, played for Bosnia/Herzegovina in the 2013 FIBA U-18 European Championship tournament, starting all eight games. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS "Not having that dominating post will probably mean some changes to our offense, but we still want to keep it as our base. Obviously, though, we'll be using our guards more in the beginning because right now, on paper, they'll be the ones providing most of the scoring." ■ NC State associate head women's basketball coach Nikki West