The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/89497
BKB PREVIEW 12-13 Stats To Watch out and run last year, and the Pack should be even more dangerous on the break with the addition of its highly touted rookies, including attacking, aggressive guard Rodney Purvis. When the Wolfpack scored big on the break last year, it was nearly unbeatable. The squad was 14-3 when scoring at least 15 points in transition, and NC State averaged 17.21 fast-break points per victory against just 9.46 per loss. 2. Points scored: Obviously, this is always a key statistic, but NC State featured a balanced, and lethal, offense last year; it should be more of the same this season. The Pack finished No. 3 in the ACC with an aver- age of 72.9 points per game, putting up a record of 16-2 when tallying at least 75 points. The team was unselfish, averaging 15.6 assists per game, and all five starters had double-digit scoring averages. The Wolfpack could be even more potent this year with what the rookies can add on the offensive end. 3. Field goal percentage defense: NC State is 1. Points in transition: NC State showed it could get pretty good on the boards, so forcing more misses would be greatly beneficial to the team. State returns both frontcourt starters from a year ago in C.J. Leslie and Richard Howell, and should be even more efficient at gathering misses. The Pack ranked fifth in the ACC last year by limiting opponents to 41.5 percent shoot- ing from the floor, but ranked second in both offensive (12.3 per game) and defensive (25.2) rebounds, as well as rebound margin (+4.3). Three Key Games it best at media day — NC State didn't have a great season last year, the team had a great fin- ish. However, the Pack was just a few marquee victories away from recording a great campaign, and a memorable season is definitely attainable in 2012-13. Just like last year, NC State will have its chances to make a statement early on in the non- conference slate. State's first opportunity for a resounding victory At Michigan, Nov. 27: Mark Gottfried said league's regular-season crown, it must take care of business on its home court at PNC Arena and pick up a few wins over UNC and Duke, as well. The Pack has not won at Duke since Jan. 18, 1995, and it's never an easy place to play, but this is another huge game in the ACC race. NC State will host Duke Jan. 12, and getting a win in at least one of those two matchups with the Blue Devils is crucial. Day comes to Raleigh in basketball for the first time in program history on this date. The show begins at 10 a.m., but tipoff is not until 7 at night. Fans will have plenty of time to get revved up, and it should be a raucous environment for this rivalry game. This contest has the potential to be of monumental importance in the ACC regular-season champion- ship race, and State has not beaten Roy Williams and company since Feb. 3, 2007, when Sidney Lowe led his alma mater to a win over the third-ranked Heels in Raleigh. At Duke, Feb. 7: If NC State wants to win the will be at Michigan in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. The Wolverines and Pack are likely to both be ranked in the top 10 when they meet. State is 5-7 all time in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. North Carolina, Jan. 26: ESPN's College Game- Last season, Michigan point guard Trey Burke was the Big Ten Freshmen of the Year, and the Wolfpack will travel to face him and the Wolverines on Nov. 27. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL the all-conference second team — Snaer, NC State's C.J. Leslie and Virginia Tech's Erick Green. The Seminoles' 6-5 senior guard won the Everett Case Award as the MVP of the 2012 ACC Tournament and tied with Leslie for the most votes (50 of 53) on this year's preseason All-ACC squad. He led the nation by accounting for 58 percent of the Nittany Lions' offense last year. He paced the league with 6.2 assists per game, while he ranked second in scoring (18.8) and steals (2.4). The fast, explosive point guard was the only player in Division I to average at least 17 points and six assists per game, and the senior was also selected to the league's All-Defensive team last year. • Michael Snaer, Florida State: The ACC returns eight All-ACC honorees from 2011-12, including three from Points: Jr. PF C.J. Leslie (14.7 per game) Rebounds: Sr. C Richard Howell (9.2 per game) Assists: Jr. PG Lorenzo Brown (234) Blocks: Jr. PF C.J. Leslie (54) Steals: Jr. PG Lorenzo Brown (67) Returning Leaders Three-pointers made: Sr. SF Scott Wood (95) FG percentage: Jr. PF C.J. Leslie (.525) FT percentage: Sr. SF Scott Wood (.907) Minutes: Jr. PG Lorenzo Brown (1,268) NOVEMBER 2012 ■ 41 • Tim Frazier, Penn State: Frazier was one of the players who beat out Burke for first-team All-Big Ten honors. Best Opposing Players • Trey Burke, Michigan: As a freshman last year, the 6-foot guard became the first Wolverine to earn All- America honors from the Associated Press since 1998. He was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year by the media, a unanimous selection to the all-conference second team and a top 20 finalist for the Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard of the Year award. Burke led Michigan to its first Big Ten title in 26 years last season and paced the squad with 14.8 points, 4.6 assists and 0.9 steals per game, but there may be even more talent around him this year.