The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/743343
50 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2016-17 The Mark Gottfried Era Three Most Memorable Wins Under Mark Gottfried • Jan. 12, 2013 vs. No. 1 Duke: The Pack was ranked 20th af- ter starting 14-2 overall and 2-0 in the ACC, and led the top-ranked Blue Devils almost from start to finish in an 84-76 home win that led to an infamous COURT-STORMING (pictured). Forward C.J. Leslie rescued a wheelchair-bound State fan from the melee by picking him up off the floor and carrying him in the celebration. • Jan. 14, 2015 at No. 15 UNC: NC State had not won in Chapel Hill since Roy Williams took over as head coach in 2003-04. That 13-year losing skid was snapped when the Pack won 58-46, holding the Heels to their fewest points ever at the Dean Dome. • Mar. 21, 2015 vs. No. 4 Villanova: In the second round of the NCAA Tournament, NC State stunned top-seeded Villanova 71- 68 in Pittsburgh to advance to its second Sweet 16 under Gottfried. That is the most recent NCAA Tournament loss for the Wildcats, who won the national title a year later. All-ACC Players • Anthony "Cat" Barber: During his junior season, Barber led the ACC in scoring at 23.5 points per game and was named first-team all-conference. That was the eighth- highest scoring average for one season in school history. • Lorenzo Brown: He was a two-time All-ACC pick, earning third-team honors in 2012 and then second-team recognition in 2013 after a season during which he led the ACC with 7.2 assists per game. Brown ranks fourth on NCSU's all-time list for total assists (589) despite leaving after his junior year to turn pro. The former second-round draft choice finished last season with the Detroit Pistons. • Richard Howell: One of the best rebounders in school history, Howell averaged 12.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game as a senior in 2013 and was named first-team All-ACC. He is one of five players in school history with at least 1,000 career rebounds (1,055). Howell plays professionally in Israel. • Trevor Lacey: In his one season at NC State, the Alabama transfer averaged 15.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists to help the 2012-13 squad reach the Sweet 16. Lacey was named second-team All-ACC. After leaving early to turn pro, he is playing in Italy. • C.J. Leslie: Leslie was named second-team All-ACC in 2012 when he led the Pack in scoring at 14.7 points per game, helping it reach the Sweet 16. He contributed 15.1 points per contest as a junior and was named third-team all-conference. After leaving early to turn pro, he has bounced around overseas. • T.J. Warren: During a magical 2013-14 season, Warren set numerous scoring records at NC State while averaging 24.9 points per game, including the most points ever scored in a single season (871). He became the sixth player in school history to be named ACC Player of the Year and was also selected to four different All-America squads. He turned pro and was picked by his current team, the Phoenix Suns, in the first round. PHOTOS BY KEN MARTIN BY MATT CARTER On April 5, 2011, then-ESPN analyst Mark Gottfried was hired by NC State athletics director Debbie Yow to lead the Wolfpack men's basketball program. Gottfried was a former head coach at Murray State and Alabama, and he quickly reestablished the NCSU pro- gram into one of national relevance again. His first five years at NC State com- pares favorably to past coaches in school history. BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE AFTER FIVE YEARS 1. Everett Case, 1947-51: 137-29 (.825) 2. Jim Valvano, 1981-85: 104-57 (.646) 3. Mark Gottfried, 2012-16: 108-69 (.610) 4. Norm Sloan, 1967-71: 74-60 (.552) 5. Herb Sendek, 1997-2001: 86-74 (.538) 6. Sidney Lowe, 2007-11: 86-78 (.524) 7. Les Robinson, 1991-95: 63-82 (.434) BEST CONFERENCE WINNING PERCENTAGE AFTER FIVE YEARS 1. Everett Case: 62-6 (.912) 2. Mark Gottfried: 44-44 (.500) 3. Norm Sloan: 33-37 (.471) 4. Jim Valvano: 32-38 (.457) 5. Herb Sendek: 26-54 (.325) 6. Sidney Low: 25-55 (.313) 7. Les Robinson: 24-54 (.308) Anthony Barber led the ACC with 23.5 points per game last year en route to becoming Gottfried's third first-team All- ACC pick. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Mark Gottfried's Year-By-Year Record Year Record (ACC) Postseason 2011-12 24-13 (9-7) .............................................NCAA Sweet 16 2012-13 24-11 (11-7) .................................... NCAA First Round 2013-14 22-14 (9-9) ...................................... NCAA First Round* 2014-15 22-14 (10-8) ...........................................NCAA Sweet 16 2015-16 16-17 (5-13) * — Won a First Four game before being knocked out