The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/89497
BKB PREVIEW 12-13 QUICK FACTS Numbers You Need To Know For The Upcoming Season By The Numbers The Key Names, Games And age (144-56) at PNC Arena (formerly RBC Center), where the team began playing its home games at the start of the 1999-2000 season. 1 Returning player in the ACC that ranked among .720 Is the Wolfpack's all-time winning percent- the country's fourth-best recruiting class by Rivals. com. Rodney Purvis, T.J. Warren and Tyler Lewis rep- resent three of the school's 16 all-time selections to the prestigious McDonald's All-American Game. 5 Last year, all five starters averaged double-digit the league's top 10 in scoring, rebounds and field goal percentage last year — C.J. Leslie, who aver- aged 14.7 points per game (ninth in the ACC) and 7.3 rebounds per contest (eighth), and who also shot 52.5 percent from the field (third). 4 The Pack's incoming freshmen were ranked as second in the ACC last year, including field goal percentage (.458), rebounds (37.6 per game), re- bounding margin (+4.3 per game), assists (15.6 per game), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.2 per game), offensive rebounds (12.3 per game), defensive re- bounds (25.2 per game) and offensive rebounding percentage (.358). 9 The Wolfpack's nine-win improvement last year, points; the top four scorers all return to the lineup this season. 8 Statistical categories where NC State ranked when the team went from 15-16 to 24-13, is the fourth-best turnaround in ACC history under a first-year head coach. 24 Wins recorded by NC State last season. That media outlets, many of which have tabbed NC State as the team to beat in the ACC this season. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Junior C.J. Leslie and the Wolfpack have drawn praise in the preseason from numerous national What They Are Saying About The Pack and the Wolfpack overachieved under Mark Gottfried to get to the Sweet 16. It took a little while, but C.J. Leslie announced he's returning, which basically means the entire team returns. In addition, Gottfried has one of the top recruiting classes in the country coming with Rodney Purvis, T.J. Warren and Tyler Lewis. This program has a lot to look forward to." — Andy Katz (ESPN.com) • "Duke isn't exactly overwhelming, North Carolina lost four first-rounders and NC State brings back nearly every- was the most victories for the program since the 1987-88 campaign. 2007 Marked the last year that NC State entered State's 19 home games. The mark was the 20th best in the nation, continuing the school's streak of 13 consecutive years ranked among the nation's top 25 home crowds. the season ranked among the nation's top 25; the Pack is a likely top-10 selection in most preseason polls after finishing last season ranked No. 20 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll — the first time the squad was ranked at the end of the year since 2003-04. 13,560 Was the average attendance for NC 40 ■ THE WOLFPACKER floor like a deer, is explosive off the floor, hard to keep off the offensive glass and a matchup nightmare in the high post. But, he's not my pick to win the ACC POY award — I'm instead going with his teammate, Lorenzo Brown. Brown is the pulse of the NC State team. He is a physical on-ball defender, makes good decisions in both the halfcourt and transi- tion, is a capable scorer who can both make shots and get in the lane, and has total control of Gottfried's offense. The aspects of Brown's game that make him so valuable are his intangibles. He leads, communicates and sets the tone for the Wolfpack. He is the consummate winning player who commands respect of his teammates and gets them to buy into playing to win" — Seth Greenberg (ESPN.com) • "There is, without a doubt, reason for the optimism surrounding NC State, especially now that [Rodney] Purvis, a consensus top-15 recruit, was cleared by the NCAA. Purvis joins the four returning starters to give the Wolfpack the best starting five in the ACC. The Wolfpack are legitimate contenders for their first conference title since 1989 and a top seed in the NCAA Tournament — though the lack of depth could be an issue." — Ryan Fagan (Sporting News) one — and adds a talented trio of freshmen — from a team that went to the Sweet 16. This could be as heated as it has been in that area for years. In fact, the Wolfpack might be the preseason ACC favorites over Duke and UNC. The question for Mark Gottfried is whether NC State can pick up where it left off — and whether he can keep everyone content." — Jeff Goodman (CBSSports.com) • "NC State's C.J. Leslie is the most talented player in the ACC. His physical gifts are at another level. He runs the • "Is North Carolina State really the ACC favorite? Why not, North Carolina and Duke are taking on serious losses,