5 Reasons NC State Will Be the Kings of Tobacco Road in 2012-13

The 2011-12 NC State Wolfpack surprised everyone with the way they finished the season.

Not much was expected from NC State this year, but after being the last team called on Selection Sunday the Wolfpack proved they were contenders by making a run to the Sweet 16.

In his first year as head coach, Mark Gottfried has gotten one of the most athletic teams in the ACC to finally play up to their potential.

The future is bright at NC State. If C.J. Leslie and Lorenzo Brown return to school, the Pack could be the new kings of Tobacco Road.

C.J. Leslie

The Wolfpack goes as Calvin “C.J.” Leslie goes. Leslie is arguably the most athletically gifted player in the ACC, yet last year he seemed unmotivated and disinterested in most games. 

Under the guidance of Coach Gottfried, Leslie is finally living up to his potential.

The 2011-12 season was a breakout year for Leslie averaging a near double-double with 14.7 points and 7.3 rebounds.

When motivated he provides an energy on the court that is immeasurable. He proved he can dominate in the post, step out and hit a 12 foot jumper or simply blow by a defender with an explosive first step.

If he returns to school, the Wolfpack with be the front runners in the ACC.

Lorenzo Brown

The best roster move Mark Gottfried made when he arrived at NC State was moving Lorenzo Brown to point guard. Brown, who is a natural shooting guard, blossomed as a leader and floor general at the point.

One of his biggest advantages is that he is a big guard (6’5”) which gives him the benefit of being able to post up and shoot over smaller point guards.

Brown, along with Leslie, gives NC State an inside-out combo that is almost impossible to guard. 

The Incoming Class

One of the biggest flaws that NC State had last year was its lack of depth coming off the bench.

That problem will be solved in a big way with this year’s incoming recruiting class. The Pack has signed three McDonald’s High School All Americans.

At the top of the class is 6’3” guard Rodney Purvis who draws comparisons to a young Dwayne Wade.

T.J. Warren is a solid big man (6’8”) who can bang down low and step out and hit a 15-footer.

Lastly, there is arguably the most underrated recruit in the country, P.G. Tyler Lewis, who lead Oak Hill Academy to a 44-0 record this year. He could be the second coming of legendary NC State PG Chris Corchiani.  

If C.J. Leslie and Lorenzo Brown stay in school and with Richard Howell, Scott Wood, Deshawn Painter returning, NC State will be one of the deepest teams not only in the ACC but in the country.

A New Confidence

For years now NC State has been the third wheel to UNC and Duke.

When Mark Gottfried was named head coach of the Wolfpack, he was left with a very talented team. The problem he faced was getting this team to live up to its potential.

So far, he has overachieved.

Gottfried has given the Pack a new attitude and a new confidence, things that have been missing from NC State for a long time.

Duke and UNC Are Losing Veterans

Duke and UNC are both losing major contributors to their teams.

Duke lost Austin Rivers, who was the only player on the team who could create his own shot. In addition, they lose big man Mile Plumlee to graduation.

The Tarheels are losing four of the best players in the country: Tyler Zeller to graduation and Harrison Barnes, Kendall Marshall, and John Henson to the NBA Draft.

Both Duke and UNC have good recruiting classes but those will be very young next year, while NC State will have a veteran, battle tested team.