2010-2011 ACC Preview

#7: NC State

Games against 2010 NCAA Tournament teams: 12
Best non-conference game: Dec. 4 at Syracuse

Projected Starting Five:
F - Tracy Smith (Senior)
F - C.J. Leslie (Freshman)
F - Scott Wood (Sophomore)
G - C.J. Williams (Junior)
G - Javier Gonzalez (Senior)

For years (basically all of the Sidney Lowe era), NC State has been mired in mediocrity. Lowe has not gotten to the NCAA Tournament, in four years not finishing better than 6-10 in conference. So I am taking an I'll believe it when I see it approach to this team this year, which many people predict will take a big step forward. The ACC media picked NC State 4th in their preseason poll.

I will agree that NC State has some very good pieces. Tracy Smith is capable of being an all-conference player, and entering his senior year should put up some great numbers. I have always liked Javier Gonzalez, despite his maddening inconsistency at point guard. And young players like Scott Wood and Richard Howell showed some flashes toward the end of last year. There is also optimism because of a strong recruiting class, led by power forward C.J. Leslie. The reason why I have the Wolfpack ranked 7th is squarely because of Sidney Lowe. I don't believe he is the right coach for this high pressure job, and NC State has had talent before but underachieved.

NC State does have a pretty tough schedule. They have back-to-back road games against Wisconsin and Syracuse. And in conference play, they must play Duke, North Carolina and Florida State twice. I think this will keep them right around the bubble for the NCAA Tournament. And if they don't make the Big Dance with their talent this year, you can bet they will be looking for a new coach come April.