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Hoops: NCST Preview
Story URL: http://michigan.scout.com/2/594937.html

Sam Webb
GoBlueWolverine.com

Nov 27, 2006

The Michigan Wolverines will face their biggest test of the young season when they travel to North Carolina State tonight to take on the Wolfpack in the Big Ten/ACC challenge. Both teams prefer to play an up-tempo style, which should make for some exciting basketball. CollegeHoops.net provides an overview of the opponent's squad, while GoBlueWolverine previews tonight's contest.

Current Record: 4-0
North Carolina State 92, Wofford 88 (11/10/06)
North Carolina State 63, Delaware State 43 (11/17/06)
North Carolina State 78, Valparaiso 64 (11/21/06)
North Carolina State 88, Gardner-Webb 76 (11/24/2006)

Starting Five

#	PLAYER	POS	HT	WT	YR	GP	MIN	PTS	REB	AST
11	Gavin Grant	G-F	6-8	203	Jr.	4	35.8	18.8	5.5	3.0
14	Engin Atsur	G	6-4	201	Sr.	4	35.5	17.3	4.8	5.3
33	Brandon Costner	F	6-9	237	Fr.	4	32.0	14.8	7.8	3.3
34	Ben McCauley	F	6-10	235	So.	4	31.0	12.8	4.5	4.5
4	Courtney Fells	G	6-5	209	So.	4	28.8	10.0	3.3	2.0

North Carolina State Wolfpack Season Preview
By Joel Welser
Collegehoops.net
Special to GoBlueWolverine

Overall Collegehoops.net Rank: #107
Collegehoops.net Conference Rank: #10 ACC

2005-06: 22-10, 10-6, 4th
2005-06 postseason: NCAA

Sidney Lowe has replaced Herb Sendek at the helm of North Carolina State, and he inherits quite a rebuilding project. The Wolfpack lost four of their five starters and this makes replacing Julius Hodge look easy. There is some reason to be optimistic. The talent isn’t bad and a changing of the guard always adds renewed hope, but the depth will be a major issue at the end of games and the end of the season.

Who’s Out: The only starting position not leaving is the point guard. Tony Bethel averaged 9.3 points per game and was the main long range threat. Cameron Bennerman led the squad with 14.1 points per game from the wing. Up front Ilian Evtimov and Cedric Simmons combined for nearly 25 points and 10 boards a game.

Who’s In: NC State lost out on some of their recruits due to the coaching change, but Dennis Horner and Trevor Ferguson will have an opportunity to see some playing time, and it would be quite helpful if they at least provided some depth off the bench. Horner, a 6-7 small forward, has nice range on his jump shot and is a decent passer. He’s not the quickest guy around, but if he can hit some long balls and create an opportunity or two for his teammates, he’ll be a welcome addition to the floor. Ferguson will be eligible after the first semester and the 6-5 shooting guard brings a lot of energy with him and can be a spark off the bench. Brandon Costner, a highly touted recruit last season, missed much of his freshman campaign due to injury. The 6-9, 237 pound power forward can play inside and out and has the potential to be a star in the ACC.

Who to Watch: The starting five, or six, isn’t bad. Engin Atsur will once again run the point, Gavin Grant and Courtney Fells, although young and inexperienced, are decent wings and, along with Costner, Andrew Brackman*** and Ben McCauley are good options up front. Getting help beyond that is the problem. It will all start with Atsur and he’ll have to score, pass and lead the team through the rough times. As a junior last year he averaged 10.8 points and 3.4 assists per game. He is a threat from long range and don’t be surprised if Atsur steps up his scoring a bit for the sake of the team. However, more importantly, Atsur needs to keep his teammates involved and build some confidence in the youngsters.

Final Projection: The postseason isn’t out of the question, but these guys are going to be tired at the end of the year and that doesn’t bode well in the ACC. The addition of Ferguson at the break will help, but Wolfpack fans shouldn’t be expecting great things from Coach Lowe during his first campaign.

Projected Post-season Tournament: none

***Andrew Brackman opted to sit out this baseball campaign to focus on basketball.

Early Season North Carolina State Scouting Report
By Sam Webb

The Wolfpack have been the beneficiaries of extremely balanced scoring over their first four contests, featuring a different top scorer in each of them. Gavin Grant has gotten out of the blocks well, upping his scoring average by 10 points over last season's total lead NC State in that department. Engin Atsur has been the Wolpack's best all-around player thus far. The senior floor general leads the team in assists while also shooting a blistering 62.8% from the field, including 43.5% (10/23 from three).

The Wolfpack will be the first team that can throw legitimate size at Michigan, boasting four players in the regular rotation over 6-8. They are active in the paint, as evidenced by their 10 offensive rebounds per game, and they play tough interior defense. However, Sidney Lowe's club has proven susceptible to the long ball thus far, surrendering outstanding shooting performances to two-opponents already this year.

In the opening contest versus Wofford, the Wolfpack allowed a 66% shooting clip in the first half, including 11/19 from three-point range. They trailed by nine at the break before stiffening the defense in the second half to pull out the victory. Then in their last contest versus Gardener-Webb, the Wolfpack allowed seven first half three-pointers to again trail at the break before rallying in the second.

This may be a contest where Michigan's struggling perimeter shooter's can get back on track. If they can take care of the ball better they'll get good looks on the outside since the Wolfpack will likely focus their defensive efforts on stopping Courtney Sims and Brent Petway in the paint.

Prediction
Michigan - 69
NCST - 60