The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/743343
Redshirt sophomore wing Torin Dorn averaged 12.0 points per game at Charlotte as a freshman before transferring to NC State, and he is one of several newcomers that will add scoring balance to the roster. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 38 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2016-17 this level, day in, day out in the ACC," Gott- fried said. "For us, we have to grow up fast even though we have some guys who are talented players." The coach has a clear idea how he wants his new-look squad to play. He doesn't expect nor want a team that relies on one player as much as last year's squad did with Barber, who averaged an ACC-high 23.5 points per game. Gottfried's first team at NC State in 2011- 12 featured five players in double figures av- eraging between C.J. Williams' 10.6 points and C.J. Leslie's 14.7. The next year, Wil- liams moved on and freshman T.J. Warren helped keep the balanced scoring going, with five players averaging at least 12.1 points per game. Leslie again led the way with 15.1. Gottfried has also seen teams where one player has completely dominated the scor- ing, but those are also the two years the team struggled the most in the regular season. Warren averaged 24.9 points per game in 2013-14, and only Ralston Turner was in double figures (10.5) among the rest of the players. Barber averaged 10.6 points more than the next leading scorer last year for the Wolfpack, which was Abu and sophomore Maverick Rowan at 12.9 a contest. Barber's departure could lead to a similar scenario as Gottfried's first two years. Abu is looking forward to more balanced scoring and said the team just needs to be- lieve in itself. "This year everyone is a weapon," Abu said. "I have the upmost confidence in our team. Last year, Cat Barber did a lot, but Cat Barber was really special. It wasn't just the 'Cat Barber Show.' "This year, you have a lot of tremendous basketball players out there. It's all about meshing to be successful. Talent can only go so far." Abu, Rowan, Henderson and Dorn have all averaged double figures in Division I college basketball. Henderson did it his last year at West Virginia in 2013-14, and Dorn achieved the same at Charlotte in 2014-15. Smith and Yurtseven are both expected to bring scoring punch to their respective positions and give NC State five scoring threats on the floor. "Preferably, that is what I would like to have is a team that is much more balanced scoring than we have had," Gottfried said. "Obviously with Cat Barber, he scored a ton, and a couple of years ago, T.J. was in