Things look good in Pack’s 97-59 win

Can NC State handle the preseason expectations that includes some Final Four predictions?

You can only play one game at a time, so it is important to focus on each game with everything that you have. On Friday night, NC State succeeded in performing at a level that makes the Pack appear worthy of their lofty Top Ten preseason ranking.

The ACC Insider called the Wolfpack’s performance ‘impressive’ in this article.

It was a game State figured to win easily, given its four returning starters and lofty No. 6 preseason national ranking. But on this night, how coach Mark Gottfried’s team won was almost as important as the final numbers on the scoreboard.

“We wanted to come out here and, first off, win the game because that’s the most important thing,” freshman point guard Tyler Lewis said. “But we wanted to give the crowd a show just because we’re rated so high preseason. We’ve got to show our fans we’re ready for No. 6 in the country and they should be with us every night.”

In that respect, Lewis and his teammates young and old didn’t let anybody down.

Playing before its first opening night sellout since 1999, the Wolfpack placed six players in double figures, shot 61 percent from the floor and held Miami to just 29 percent shooting in the lopsided victory.

Those numbers only tell part of the story.

I liked the Fayetteville Observer‘s perspective of looking at the game from the angle of Rodney Purvis (linked here).

Purvis didn’t disappoint the sell-out crowd of 19,065 at the PNC, scoring 16 points and playing 29 minutes in the Wolfpack’s 97-59 victory against Miami of Ohio.

The performance was steady, but not spectacular. In fact, Purvis blended in so well that it was classmate Tyler Lewis who evoked the loudest cheer among the freshmen from the PNC crowd. The baby-faced Lewis had the fans leaping from their seats twice in the second half, first after converting consecutive layups on the fast break and next with a behind-the-back pass to classmate T.J. Warren.

But spectacular isn’t what N.C. State needs from Purvis this season. What it needs is steady, intense effort that will blend with the four returning starters who helped take the Wolfpack to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

“My job is to not make mistakes, rebound, pass and just help make this team better,” Purvis said after Friday’s victory. “But the biggest thing for me is to bring intensity on defense. I want to play hard on every possession, get my hand on the ball for deflections and steals. That’s the best way for me to help this team. We have everything else we need to be successful.”

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12-13 Basketball

8 Responses to Things look good in Pack’s 97-59 win

  1. PackerInRussia 11/10/2012 at 10:01 AM #

    “But we wanted to give the crowd a show just because we’re rated so high preseason. We’ve got to show our fans we’re ready for No. 6 in the country and they should be with us every night.”

    He has a very good “big picture” perspective

  2. Wufpacker 11/10/2012 at 10:42 AM #

    Agreed PIR. Also have to love Purvis’ attitude….

    ““My job is to not make mistakes, rebound, pass and just help make this team better,” Purvis said after Friday’s victory.”

    I think that young man might just a future in basketball 😉

  3. ADVENTUROO 11/10/2012 at 8:22 PM #

    Coach had RED tie on. Great game. Most team work and enthusiasm that I have seen in the Arena in a LONG time.

  4. NCSU84 11/10/2012 at 9:15 PM #

    To quote Purvis, ” I want to play hard on every possession”. This may not seem like much, but it is exactly what separates great teams from good teams. If our team plays hard on EVERY possession, I do not see any reason why we will not have a very good year. EVERY game, EVERY possession. The blues have learned this over the years – now it is our turn.

    To quote Lewis, “(our fans) should be with us every night.”. As Buggs Bunny would say, “Him don’t know me/us very well”. A true state fan’s support never ends and we will be there every night/day – count on it.

  5. vapackfan 11/11/2012 at 4:51 PM #

    One thing I liked was we got a big lead and held on to it. There were times in the past we would get a big lead only to see it dwindle. This is the way it should be against a lesser opponent.

  6. rtpack24 11/11/2012 at 6:13 PM #

    I was at the game Fri night and must admit I was impressed with our team. Purvis and Warren do not look or play like freshman. Lewis had some trouble on the defensive end of the floor but played well. First 4 minutes of the game Calvin looked like best player in the country. We will need to develop depth up front. Purvis energy on the floor is incredible. Fun team to watch play the game.

  7. logarithm 11/11/2012 at 8:48 PM #

    I love that everyone is embracing their role, from the ultra-talented SG taking on his role as a regular old contributor, to the SF who can score on any human being learning the PF too because the team needs it or the pass-first, flashy PG who emphasizes to everyone that it all comes down to winning and nothing else. Coach Gottfried would probably quote Wooden and say a player that makes a team great is better than a great player, and I think this team has that. Everybody knows their job and they know that their job isn’t more important than anything else.

    It’s going to be fun to watch.

  8. TeufelWolf 11/12/2012 at 7:28 PM #

    That was an awesome game to be at. This team is fun to watch. I haven’t been this excited about basketball for years. GO PACK!

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