The Wolfpacker

36 ■ THE WOLFPACKER up. I come and block it. Coach Gottfried knows that." Anya said one player verbally told him last year that he was not going to fall for Anya's tricks — ex-Notre Dame star Jer- ian Grant, who is now with the New York Knicks. Grant and Anya were teammates at Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic. "I blocked one of his shots one time and they called a foul, and I was like, 'C'mon, really?'" Anya said. "He knows I block shots, and he would tell me before the game: 'I'm dunking this year.' I told him he wasn't going to try me. He would drive and then pull up." Anya mentioned he would look for any advantage he could, whether through study- ing video or past personal experience. He relied on both when matched up against Duke center Jahlil Okafor, who was a fresh- man last year. Okafor was the third pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and is off to a quality start in his rookie campaign with the Phila- delphia 76ers. Anya had one of his top games in the first meeting against Okafor Jan. 11, 2015 — 14 points, six rebounds and four blocks in 19 minutes off the bench during the Wolfpack's impressive 87-75 win over the eventual na- tional champions. Okafor had 23 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in a losing effort. The rematch came during the ACC Tour- nament March 12. Anya had eight points, six rebounds and two blocks, but the Wolfpack were blown out in the first half of an even- tual 77-53 defeat. Okafor only played 19 minutes and had 10 points and four boards. "With Okafor, it's more about what I've done against him in the past," Anya said. "We've played countless times, I couldn't even count how many times I've played him on my hand. "I would try and make him shoot the ball with his left hand. I know he's right-hand dominant. He is taller than me, so it was a little more difficult. He is really skilled. There aren't that many players you play against that are that size and that skilled. I would try to push him off the block." Anya said he prefers teams where he knows the opposing center will try to go to work on the block. For instance, when Michigan played NC State Dec. 1 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, he knew before the game even started that it was going to be a perimeter shooting affair. The Wolver- ines like to play four shooters and one post player, and don't generate much inside of- fense from their center. Anya does not desire that style of contest. "Last year, we played against Richmond, and they put five guys on the court that can shoot the ball," Anya said. "I can't be much of a help defender because my man is outside by the three-point line ready to shoot a three." Sometimes the players will watch games on their own, especially if it involves friends, past teammates or ACC rivals. Following NC State's 87-79 win over Winthrop Nov. 27, some of the Wolfpack players — in- cluding junior point guard Anthony Barber — said they were starting from scratch for the next game against Michigan. In the new The #1 Generac Generator Installer in NC, SC, VA and GA 888-372-3278 Call Today for Your FREE In-Home Estimate! When the Power Goes Out, Your Life Can Go On ® www.myhomegenerator.com CAN_Wolfpack_Ad_Half.indd 1 6/5/14 8:20 AM Head basketball coach Mark Gottfried chooses not to be totally reliant on video — "Have a hunch, bet a bunch," he says — but admits to watching "a ton" of tape. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN

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