2007-2008 ACC Team Preview #3

North Carolina State Wolfpack

Sidney Lowe begins his second season in Raleigh, with much higher expecations than last year, when NC State was pegged to be at the bottom of the league. This year, the Pack have everyone back besides Engin Atsur, which will be a big hole to fill. If they can get consistent play at the lead guard spot, NC State will challenge for the league title

Key Losses: PG Engin Atsur, who missed 12 games last season, but averaged 11.3 points and over 4 assists per game; SG/SF Bryan Nieman; SG Kenneth Pittman; SF Justin Clark (13% of scoring, 11% of rebounding, 24% of assists).

New Additions: The biggest additions will be the three players vying for the PG position. Transfers Farnold Degand (Iowa State) and Marques Johnson (Tennessee), along with freshman Javier Gonzalez will try to meet the challenge of replacing Atsur. PF/C J.J. Hickson from Wheeler HS in Marietta, GA is the biggest catch for Coach Lowe. The McDonald's All-American will add immediate offensive help inside. F Tracy Smith will give help at both forward spots. F Simon Harris, a transfer from Elon, will also look for playing time.

Projected Lineup:

• PG- Degand (6'4", RSo.) or Gonzalez (6', Fr.)
• SG- Courtney Fells (6'5", Jr.)
• SF- Gavin Grant (6'8", Sr.)
• PF- Brandon Costner (6'9", RSo.)
• C- Ben McAuley (6'10", Jr.)

Key Reserves:

• PF/C- J.J. Hickson (6'9", Fr.)
• PF- Tracy Smith (6'7", Fr.)
• PF- Dennis Horner (6'8", So.)
• PG- Marques Johnson (6'5", So.) (ineligible until mid-season)

Outlook: The Wolfpack seem to have what it takes to be a force in the ACC and nationally. Brandon Costner is a stud, a pre-season all-ACC pick by the media, looking to improve on his 16.8 ppg and 7.3 rpg from last year. He showed a deft touch from the perimeter and toughness inside. The wings in Grant and Fells are experienced and battle-tested from having to play the majority of the minutes last season. They will have similar expectations this year, along with integrating a new point guard. The post situation is a strong one, with a lot of quality depth. McAuley did a solid job last season, and the additions of Hickson and Smith, along with Horner, will allow Costner to play on the wing more, which makes the Wolfpack even tougher.

NC State exceeded expectations last year, and now have high ones to live up to. The schedule includes out of conference tests with Davidson and Michigan State, and a potential match-up with Villanova or Kansas State in a Thanksgiving Tournament. In the conference, the Pack will have Duke, UNC, and Clemson, home and away, the other top 3 teams pre-season. The wins will be there out of conference, and, hopefully, the point guard play will be strengthened when the conference season rolls around.

Prediction: 11-5 Finish, T-2 in ACC; 24-6 Overall.

ACC Preview #2- Clemson

ACC Preview #1- Georgia Tech