Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams debut in their respective preseason polls.

Women’s Preview
The NC State Women look to continue a strong finish to last years team as they return 8 players from their Sweet 16 run. To add to the returning players, the Pack add a second straight top 20 recruiting class that look to make an impact early. In the polls, the Wolfpack are projected to finish 7th in the ACC, but squeak into the top 25 at #25. To add to the awards, the Pack’s only senior, Khadijah Whittington is preseason All ACC. TheACC.com has a preview of our women here.

Men’s Preview
The men also look to continue a strong finish this year as well. The Pack only lost 1 starter, but have close to twice as many players this year that can contribute as they did last season. Look for this team to be a power house in the ACC this season. In the Polls, the Pack have been picked to finish 3rd in the ACC, and break into the top 25 at #24. Many people look for the Pack to rise in the polls quickly though as they prove they have a point guard that can control the ball and get it to the other 4 players on the court. TheACC.com has a preview of our men here.

All in all it should be an exciting season in both men and women’s play. Don’t forget the Men start their exhibition season tomorrow night at the RBC Center at 7pm!

With the Basketball season quickly approaching Coach Strickland stopped by the Student Wolfpack club meeting tonight. Many new and interesting things came to light thanks to him. He for one announced the starting 5 for Thursday night, Degand, Fells, Grant, Costner, and McCauley. I found it kinda interesting Hickson isn’t getting the start, but I can’t imagine who you would bench to put him in. According to Strickland, Hickson and McCauley are really going at it in practice, as he put it, “iron sharpens iron”.

Also he shed light on why “Big Lew” is no longer with the team. It has been discovered he has a rare heart condition and the doctors will not sign off on him to play ball anymore. That’s a little unfortunate for him, but I never really saw him making a big impact in the ACC.

All in all, Coach Strickland was a great speaker and I’d love to hear him again. I can’t wait for Thursday night when the Pack square off against Div. II National Champions, Barton College.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is time to get excited for College Basketball, and a program that we can be proud of!

The Pack returned to action on Saturday night in Raleigh for a homecoming game against a ranked Virginia team. The offense picked up right were it left off in Greenville last week with Daniel Evans topping last weeks performance with 347 yards and three touchdowns. Donald Bowens came up big with 202 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns. It was the first time that Bowens had topped the 100 yard mark in his career at NC State. Eugene was effective rushing the ball with 112 yards on 23 carries.

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