State...

And Duke and ST fan you guys will not win it all.

 

State choked. Need Valvano (sp) , anyway college basketball was never the same after the Jordan, Worthy, Sampson era.

 

You couldn't have said it better MathMajors, that was an intentional foul because he made no effort at the ball. However he's not the only scapegoat. How about the two absolutely ridiculous fouls on the 3 point shots. I can understand doing it once, but the second time is absurd. State threw that game away. Shame too because they had a nice squad this year. Who all do they lose?

 

He was running straight ahead and the other guy ran into his path. Melvin's hands were pulled back, how is that intentional?

 

Melvin's right arm swatted at the guy going for the basket, and the ball was not on the same side that he went for.

We lose Melvin, Scooter Sherrill, and Will Roach. We got 3 top 100 players coming in, according to most ratings.

 

Here's who State has next year. I hope Hodge doesn't go pro.



Hodge's decision is key, because if he returns, he'll be surrounded by a strong, deep nucleus of experienced players.

Yes, seniors Marcus Melvin and Scooter Sherrill will be missed. Melvin was a unique player who caused matchup problems for every team he faced. And it should be noted that the Pack went 3-3 after Sherrill, a streaking shooter who turned himself into an excellent defender, was lost with an ankle injury.

But Evtimov and freshman Engin Atsur -- the Orient Express -- proved during the NCAA Tournament just how much promise each of them have. Evtimov, like Melvin, is a big man with an unusual array of skills. Atsur flashed the offensive skills that made him one of the top junior players in Europe, but also displayed surprisingly solid ballhandling and defensive ability. Sophomore Cameron Bennerman, given the chance to replace Sherrill, showed late in the season just how much raw talent he'll bring to the team. Veterans Jordan Collins and Levi Watkins also return to provide an experienced foundation.

Then there are the newcomers. Guard Tony Bethel started 52 of his 58 games in two seasons at Georgetown. Reports out of practice suggest that he'll be an excellent defender, a solid ballhandler and a dangerous shooter for the Pack. Recruit Cedric Simmons is an exciting talent, a long, athletic big forward. Recruit Andrew Brackman appears to be the kind of multi-skilled big man that flourishes in Sendek's offense. And recruit Gavin Grant, a product of the same Harlem high school that sent Hodge to N.C. State, is a mid-sized athlete already renowned as a defensive ace.

 

Who? Who? And Who?

 

The new guys? They're all top 100 players. Or close to it, depending.

 

Sounds good - Lot's of good defenders. They can learn to score points in Herb's system.