SiLo Getting Pack Geared Up For Regular Season

I was able to cover NC State’s exhibition victories over Barton College and UNC-Pembroke for Pack Pride, and I came away even more optimistic about the Wolfpack’s chances this year. Apparently, ESPN.com’s Pat Forde feels the same way. In this well-researched article, he ranks State as the #10 team in the land.

In the same piece, he mentions the ACC as the #3 conference in the country, former Pack star Dereck Whittenburg as the #1 coach doing an underrated job and the state of North Carolina as #4 in the top five general fan bases in the nation.

It’s also interesting to note (nod to broadcaster Vin Scully for the turn of phrase) that UNC is #4 on the list of teams trying to forget how last year ended, while Travelin’ Tyler Hansbrough is considered the top guy to boo in the country. No truth to the rumor that his will was ranked #2.

As for the Pack, the question that will be asked for the next five months certainly won’t be answered after two exhibition games: is there a point guard on the roster that can steer the ship? Transfer Farnold Degand is as quick as advertised, but he didn’t knock down a perimeter shot in the first two exhibitions and didn’t show much of an inability to penetrate zone defenses. He passed up a few open looks, but did show that his greatest strength might be his stifling defense.

The best news for State on the evening might have been freshman Javy Gonzalez taking part in the shootaround prior to the game, a smaller cast on the thumb he broke a couple of months ago. A combination of Degand, Gonzalez and even transfer Marques Johnson, who will be eligible after the fall semester, should work together to give NC State enough firepower at the point guard spot to challenge for the top of the ACC — because all the other pieces are in place.

P.S. Apparently, Ohio State lost to Findlay last night in an exhibition game, 70-68. No, not the national team from Finland -- Findlay. A Division II team. For comparison's sake, NC State beat the Division II defending champions ... by 37 points. Of course, Buckeye Fan will tell you that only football matters in C-Bus -- well, except for last year, when they went to the title game. Oh well. At least it gives me an opportunity to revisit the greatest Ohio State video tribute of all time.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Reeves of Pack Pride …