Thoughts On TJ Warren and Tyler Lewis

Hey again! I'm back!

So recently, many college players made their decision to either stay at their school or go pro. At NC State, TJ Warren did what many expected him to do. In the 2012-2013 season, he did well as a freshman and even then, fans thought he was going to leave. He surprised us and came back for another season. Now, this past season, he was a beast. Literally a beast. Averaging 23+ points per game, two back to back 40+ point games, leading rebounder, and he slimmed down to be more agile. That screams NBA material. I wish him luck and will be following his career in the NBA. But as we know, players who leave early at NC State, typically do not get drafted. Let's hope TJ can change that.

On to Tyler Lewis. Him transferring to Butler came as a surprise to me. Considering him getting more playing time and more starts in the last 14-15 games. One might assume he would continue to be a big contributor as an NC State point guard. I guess he really didn't like it here. I believe he was recruited  by Sidney Lowe when he was coach. At least he kept his commitment. After thinking about it, him being at Butler might be the best fit for him. I'll be wishing him the best.

As Always,
GO PACK!!

Recent Events, NC State Football Re-cap & NC State Basketball Thoughts So Far

Well, it has been A LONG TIME since I posted on my blog. If anyone is even reading my stuff, I apologize. First I would like to point out that I am a NC State Engineering GRADUATE. I graduated last December of 2012 (dang, it has been awhile since I been on here..). I took a full time position at a local engineering firm that I have been interning. Now, I am living with my dad, trying to save up money to get my own place and pay off some of my student loans. So far so good! Enough about me, how about some Wolfpack info and thought?!

First off, I bought season tickets to both the football games and basketball games. Well, the football team didn't live up to my (nor other Wolfpack fans/alumni) expectations. They won only 3 games and lost 9. They were 0-8 in conference play. Tough break for the first year coach Dave Doeren. But don't lose hope just yet. He has 2 more years to try and save face. A day ago, he got a commitment from a 4-star recruit that is in ESPN Top 300. That's pretty good. Hoping for a few more commits to have a decent team next year. If Doeren can not get this team up to par, then it will be time to go shopping......again...

Now on to basketball. Currently, the Wolfpack is sitting on a 7-2 record with losses to Cincinnati and NC Central. We should've beaten NCCU but you know.....that NC State Shit that happens at the least opportune moments. This is still a young team, with returning players TJ Warren, Tyler Lewis, and Jordan Vandenberg. We added a LSU transfer Ralston Turner and a JUCO guard Desmond Lee. The three freshman in Gottfried's 2013 class includes Anthony "Cat" Barber, Kyle Washington, Lennard Freeman and Beejay Anya. So far, Anthony Barber and Lennard Freeman has earned spots in the starting line up. Anthony Barber has good ball handling skills and has the ability slash through the opposing defense to get inside and take shots. Lennard  Freeman has shown that he can get rebounds and defend well. There is still some promise with Washington and Anya, but they need more experience and more playing time to get to the starting five.

Well, that's it for this post. Hopefully I can get back into posting more stuff in the upcoming weeks and months. Thanks for reading!

P.S. It's time to drop the "This Is OUR State" slogan.....clearly not our state.....yet....

NC State's "Talented" Three

Coach Mark Gottfried

This year NC State stuns the nation again with top recruits coming in for the 2012 season. Currently ranked 3rd in the nation in the number of top recruits coming in. It is amazing how we get top notch recruits last season, but couldn't do anything with them. Yes, these recruits do have talent, but talent alone can only go so far. To put it all together, you need a good coach and coaching staff. Last season, Sidney Lowe couldn't do anything with his ranked recruits that he brought in. This is because he was not a good coach at all. He had the talent, be he lacked the coaching ability to get his team a winning season. Now, Wolfpack fans are looking up to Mark Gottfried to bring the Wolfpack to (at least) a winning season. Yes, it takes time for a team with a new coach to get a running start, but if he can "wow" Wolfpack fans, then he is sure going to have a good year at NC State.

Left: Rodney Purvis. Middle: Tyler Lewis. Right: TJ Warren

Currently, NC State has three top recruits coming in for the 2012-2013 season; Tyler Lewis, Rodney Purvis, and T.J. Warren. So far, this recruiting class is ranked 3rd in the nation. There is one more recruit that Gottfried is trying to get, so I will not name him unless he signs. If he does sign with the Wolpack, then NC State will most likely have the #1 recruiting class in the country.

Wolfpack fans are dying to see what this team can do this season and next season. Since this is Mark Gottfried's first year at NC State, I wonder what he can do with the players that we already have.