INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2000-01 record: 32-4; 15-1 in ACC (1st) Postseason: Lost to Connecticut 77-74 in second round of NCAA East Region. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Hodge 10.4 Rebs: Melvin 5.5 Assists: Hodge 2.2 FG: Powell 52.5% 3pt: Melvin 43.8% FT: Sherrill 85.5% 01-02 Stats: N.C. State | ACC KEY LOSSES Anthony Grundy | 17.8 ppg Archie Miller | 9.9 ppg PROJECTED STARTERS G | Cliff Crawford | Senior G | Julius Hodge | Soph G | Scooter Sherrill | Junior F | Marcus Melvin | Junior C | Josh Powell | Soph Player to Watch Julius Hodge Sophomore Guard Did a little of everything for Pack, but most importantly, became a go-to playing in NCAAs. DATE TO REMEMBER Jan. 5 After an improved, but still mediocre, non-conference schedule highlighted by Gonzaga and South Carolina, the Wolfpack opens ACC play at home against Virginia. The Cavaliers, a team with too many point guards, play N.C. State in a game that will show if the Wolfpack has enough.

 

N.C STATE WOLFPACK

Coach Herb Sendek says his screen-setting, backdoor-cutting, 3-point-shooting offense doesn't really need a point guard. He better be right, because the Wolfpack doesn't really have one. Technically 6-3 senior Clifford Crawford fits that description, but he has never had to be the team's floor leader, what with the presence of Archie Miller and Anthony Grundy. But with both those players graduated, Crawford's role could increase. The Wolfpack might also turn the offensive reigns over to 6-6 wing Julius Hodge (10.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.3 apg), who has every skill needed to play the position. If N.C. State can answer its question at point guard -- and again, Sendek says the correct answer might just be "none of the above" -- the Wolfpack is in good shape for a second consecutive season. Seven of the top 10 scorers are back, including 6-8 junior Marcus Melvin (10.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg), who could have a breakout season, and 6-9 Josh Powell (7.2 ppg). N.C. State was dealt a devastating blow in the preseason when 6-7 Ilian Evtimov (7.1 ppg, 37 percent on 3-pointers) was lost for the season after tearing his knee ligaments in an exhibition game Nov. 8.

TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
Even without Evtimov, the Wolfpack is swimming in wings. Hodge and Melvin can shoot the 3-pointer, and coming off the bench are the team's best athletes, 6-3 Scooter Sherrill (5.7 ppg, 34 percent on threes) and 6-7 Levi Watkins, back from a knee injury. Throw in 6-5 walk-on Will Roach, who scored eight points in the exhibition, and the Wolfpack has wingsgalore. N.C. State needs the bodies on the perimeter to play a system that features one center and four wings and applies steady defensive pressure.

TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
We hate to be thick-headed, but about that situation at point guard ... Not counting Grundy and Miller -- now a member of the basketball support staff -- the Wolfpack had as many turnovers as assists last season. N.C. State's returning players will have to take care of the ball better than that, unless a floor leader emerges from the group of Hodge, Crawford and 6-4 freshman Dominick Mejia.

BOTTOM LINE..............................
At best, Evtimov's loss isn't a fatal blow and point guard is a non-issue, which means N.C. State could approach its success of last season, when it won 23 games and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 11 years. The ACC title also could be within reach. At worst, Evtimov is irreplaceable and point guard is a major issue, which means Wolfpack would have to battle to get an NCAA bid, although a winning season should be a given.