The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/592698
60 ■ THE WOLFPACKER 2015-16 WOLFPACK BASKETBALL PREVIEW Five-Minute Guide The Key Names, Games and Numbers You Need To Know For The Wolfpack's Upcoming Season BY RYAN TICE BY THE NUMBERS 2 Sweet 16 appearances among Mark Gottfried's four consecutive NCAA Tournament invites — he's taken the Wolfpack to the Big Dance every year he's been in Raleigh. NCSU had not qualified for four straight tournaments since reaching five consecutive under Herb Sendek from 2002-06. The Wolfpack had not advanced that deep twice at the Big Dance in a four-year span since an Elite Eight appearance in 1986 and a Sweet 16 bid three years later. 3 Straight seasons that the Wolfpack has been forced to replace their top scorer from the year before; each has been due to early entry in the NBA Draft, although C.J. Leslie and Trevor Lacey both went undrafted. 5 The number of times NCSU reached the NCAA Tournament in the 20 years prior to Gottfried's arrival; he and his team will look to tie a school record and make it five in a row this season. 9 Games are scheduled this year against seven teams that reached the NCAA Tournament last season, if a possible matchup against LSU in the second game of the Legends Classic in Brooklyn, N.Y., is counted (both teams must win or lose their first contest to meet). 10-3 NC State's record last year follow- ing a loss. 14 The Wolfpack's national ranking in the Sporting News preview magazine. The pub- lication also tabbed the Wolfpack to finish fourth in the ACC and reach a fifth straight NCAA Tourna- ment. Lindy's and Athlon also predict a fifth consecu- tive bid to the Big Dance, but the annuals picked the Pack seventh and ninth in the league, respectively. 23 Average number of wins per year under Gottfried; the number was just 16.8 in the 20 years prior to the coach's arrival. The Wolfpack has also nearly doubled its average number of ACC wins, going from 5.9 in the 20 years prior to his hir- ing to 9.8 under the mentor. 24 NC State's ranking last season in the final USA Today coaches' poll; the Wolfpack had not ended a season among the top 25 since 2003-04 (No. 15 in AP rankings). 51 Career starts for Anthony Barber, which leads the team entering this season. The ju- nior point guard is also the only returning player who averaged more than 6.5 points per game last season. 53 Made three-pointers return to the roster from last year, which would have ranked third on the 2014-15 team, behind the departed Lacey and Ralston Turner. 92 Wins over the last four years for NCSU, which marks the program's highest four- year total since posting 100 victories from 1973-76. Gottfried has led his squad to four straight NCAA Tournaments and an average of 23 wins, including 9.8 conference triumphs, per year. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN