State Falters in Puerto Rico Tip-Off

It's very easy to dwell on the disaster that took place Sunday night in Puerto Rico, but State did manage two blowout victories.  Despite plenty of sloppy basketball, the Pack won its first two games easily.  However, it seemed like the Pack was missing something even in those wins.  State was too laid back, often careless with the ball and lacked intensity.  Even so, Penn State and UMass never really had a chance to upset the talented Wolfpack. 

On Sunday, Oklahoma State came out with much more fire and determination and NC State never matched it.  C.J. Leslie struggled to get going (thanks in part to tough defense and in part to 3 questionable fouls) and Lorenzo Brown continued to play well below his ability.  This was not the State team we saw last March or even most of last season.  State lacked leadership, passion, confidence and togetherness.  Only a couple of players showed those traits.

2012 Season Preview: Can Brown & Leslie Lead the Pack to Glory?

My season preview continues with a look at the 2012-13 NC State Wolfpack.

The preseason ACC favorite returns a talented foursome of experienced upperclassmen and brings in three McDonald's All-Americans for the first time in the program's history.  If NC State is ever going to make it back to the top of the ACC and national prominence, this sure looks like the year to do it. 

Projected Starters:
PG- Lorenzo Brown
SG- Rodney Purvis
G/F- Scott Wood
F- C.J. Leslie
F/C- Richard Howell

Wolfpack Ranked #6 in USA Today Coaches Poll

NC State will begin the season ranked #6 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.  While expectations and hype are a little higher than perhaps they should be, this is great exposure for the program and could be an added boost of confidence for the Pack. 

Duke (8), UNC (12) and FSU (24) are the other ranked ACC teams.

The complete poll can be found here.

2012 Season Preivew: Let the Madness Begin..Is This State's Year (Finally)?

Tonight at PNC Arena, NC State's most anticipated team in ages opens practice with a night of celebration.  Next week, the ACC's schools will gather for Operation Basketball and it is quite likely the Pack will be voted as the preseason favorite in the ACC for the first time since 1974.  Yes, the world is telling us that the Pack is back!  I've heard that one before, once or twice maybe...

How many times have we State fans believed or been told that the Pack is back?  How many times has it turned out we were duped again?  Is this the year it happens?  Can State win the ACC for the first time since 1987 (tournament) or 1989 (regular season)?

2012 Season Preview: Preseason Rankings

1. Duke
Never bet against Coach K. Will Sulaimon and Jefferson provide an immediate impact?

2.  State
Lorenzo Brown, CJ Leslie and company are ready to win big.  Can State be the team we saw in March consistently over a full season?

3.  North Carolina
Plenty of talent, size and athleticism. Can Paige be the man at point?  Is McAdoo a star?

4.  FSU
Defense + Snaer = lots of wins.  Who else steps up for the Noles, which lost some key contributors?

2012 Season Preview: ACC Team-by-Team Outlook

My 2012 Season Preview begins with a snapshot of the ACC.  The teams are listed in order of last year's final standings.

(NC State excluded as I'll have a more in-depth look at the Pack.)

NORTH CAROLINA

Top returning contributors:  Reggie Bullock, James Michael McAdoo, Dexter Strickland

Key losses:  Kendall Marshall, John Henson, Tyler Zeller, Harrison Barnes

Top newcomers: Marcus Paige, Brice Johnson, JP Tokoto, Joel James

Outlook:  Carolina suffered some big losses- Kendall Marshall being perhaps the biggest- but Roy Williams has plenty of talent at his disposal.  If the Heels can get good point guard play and production out of the young bigs, they can win the ACC.  Is McAdoo going to live up to the hype?

DUKE

Top returning contributors:  Mason Plumlee, Ryan Kelly, Seth Curry, Quinn Cook, Tyler Thornton

Key losses:  Austin Rivers, Miles Plumlee, Andre Dawkins (redshirting this season)

Top newcomers: Rasheed Sulaimon, Amile Jefferson

Outlook:  Duke returns the majority of its important players from last season and should contend for the ACC crown as usual.  While perhaps a bit weak inside, Duke is once again loaded in the backcourt.  Expect to see great things from Rasheed Sulaimon.  Can Duke be more consistent on the defensive end of the floor this season?

FLORIDA STATE

Top returning contributors: Michael Snaer, Ian Miller, Okaro White

Key losses:  Bernard James, Luke Loucks, Deividas Dulkys, Xavier Gibson

Top newcomers: Montay Brandon, Aaron Thomas, Boris Bojanovsky

Outlook:  The Seminoles lost several key components of last year's ACC Championship team, but return the team's best player in Michael Snaer and another productive guard, Ian Miller.  Don't expect a repeat championship, but the Noles should finish in the top 5 of the ACC.

NC State Releases 2012-13 Home Basketball Schedule

NC State released its 2012-13 home basketball schedule via GoPack.com:

ACC
Boston College
Clemson
Duke
Florida State
Georgia Tech
Miami
North Carolina
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest

Non-Conference
Miami (OH)
Norfolk State
Stanford
St. Bonaventure
UNC Asheville
UNC Greensboro
Western Michigan

The home non-conference schedule is uninspiring as the Wolfpack is playing most of its tough non-conference games on the road or at neutral sites.  You can't fault the coaching staff for lining up a few lightweights with the overall schedule difficulty.  Fortunately, there are few, if any, RPI killers on the schedule.