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David Thompson was nicknamed “Skywalker” due to his remarkable 48″ vertical leap. Thompson invented the alley-oop pass, which has become the norm in today’s above-the-rim game. Thompson played basketball while the slam dunk was outlawed by the “Lew Alcindor” rule. In 1974 Thompson and the Wolfpack shocked the UCLA Bruins in the Final Four and went on to win the NCAA title by defeating Marquette 76-64.
David Thompson is the #3 college basketball player of all-time.
Sidney Lowe has shown this offseason that he is a top notch recruiter by landing what some prognosticators say is a top-five national recruiting class. NC State secured C.J Leslie the #3 power forward in the country along with two other five star recruits with the commitments of guard Lorenzo Brown and point guard Ryan Harrow. This recruiting class is somewhat surprising because in the four years Lowe has coached the Wolfpack he has yet to lead the Pack to an NCAA tourney. Also, Lowe’s teams have not finished higher than ninth in the league and his ACC record is just 20-44. The enticing factor for these commitments had to be the opportunity to compete in the ACC and get considerable playing time right away.
The pressure will without a doubt be on Lowe this year considering the excellent group of freshman coming in along with the return of point guard Javy Gonzalez and forwards Scott Wood, C.J. Williams and Richard Howell. Also center Tracy Smith has thrown his hat in the NBA Draft ring, but he hasn’t hired an agent so he could also be returning to Raleigh for the 2010-2011 season. Keep in mind Athletic Director Lee Fowler will no longer be in charge so Lowe will have a new boss and someone who will no doubt be looking for drastic improvements or it might be time to make a change. The Wolfpack should be a preseason top 25 team (if Tracy Smith returns) with a lot of expectations from their fan base and new AD. If State doesn’t make the NCAA tournament this year look for him to be out of a job at season’s end.
43 years ago Steve Spurrier was the quarterback for the Florida Gators when they came to Raleigh to play the Wolfpack in the second game every played in Carter Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack at one point led the #8 Gators 10-3 in the second half, but ended up losing 17-10. Spurrier leads his Gamecocks back into Carter Finley Stadium tomorrow night to play NC State in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPN to kick of the college football season. Spurrier, Erin Andrews and college football is about all you can ask for, right?
Surprise Team
Maryland – The ‘08 season started out with the Terps losing to Delaware, but then 2 weeks later defeating Cal. This team was a Jekyll and Hyde winning games they shouldn’t have and losing those they were supposed to win. 2009 promises big time talent due to the recruiting of Ralph Friedgen and friends. Also, Maryland is returning on offense a sophomore playmaker in receiver Torrey Smith who will be taking over for the #7 pick in the NFL Draft Darrius Heyward-Bey. Smith is not as fast, but a more complete receiver overall. Junior running back Da’Rel Scott is back and the 2nd leading ACC rusher has his sights set on back to back first team All ACC. On the defensive side of the ball the new coordinator Don Brown will scheme a ton of blitzes using linebackers Adrian Moten and Demetrius Hartsfield. Maryland’s schedule is pretty easy once they go to Cal for the opening weekend and try to stop the best running back in the nation Jhavid Best. Next comes James Madison, Middle Tennessee State, Rutgers and Clemson all at home before playing at suspect Wake Forest then home against Virginia in a payback game and then to Duke. Could it be that Maryland will be 8-0 when they visit the ACC Sleeper NC State on November 7th?
Disappointing Team
Virginia Tech – Very tough schedule as usual and the loss of Orange Bowl MVP running back Darren Evans is a death blow. Evans was the only running back that had any real game experience so they will have to lean on their defense even more than usual.
Game of the Year
Virginia Tech vs. Alabama in Atlanta. The Chick-fil-A College Kickoff opener isn’t just about Virginia Tech getting off to a good start to their season. The reputation of the ACC to an extent is involved with the outcome of this game. If Virginia Tech could somehow pull off the upset then the ACC would have a top five team and a nice win over a very good SEC team. The ACC can’t afford to have another embarrassing loss like Clemson suffered in this same game last year against Alabama or the blowout Georgia Tech suffered to LSU in the Peach Bowl.
Wagering history
Maryland is 7-4 SU but 1-7 ATS first month of the season last 3 seasons
V Tech last 3 seasons 9-1 SU & ATS on the road against non conf
Miami is on an 11-3 SU & 10-2 ATS run on road when total is 45-49
NC St is on an 11-3 ATS run vs. winning teams
Prediction
Don’t give the BCS berth just yet to Virginia Tech even though most of the media are predicting them to win. Georgia Tech and their wishbone offense is will be much better this year and coach Paul Johnson is a winner. Miami and Florida State are definitely not back to their former powerhouse programs and even though UNC is on the rise they aren’t a top 25 team in the end. So who will win the ACC this year? I am going with NC State and this isn’t a biased selection. That’s right, eight home games and two early tough non-conference foes in South Carolina and Pitt will prepare the Pack for ACC play. The Pack only have four away games and they don’t even start until October 3rd when they drive ninety miles to face a weak Wake Forest team and then back home against Duke. NC State can potentially be 6-0 when they travel to play BC with a new coach and system before they get a week off before heading to Florida St. They do have to play at Virginia Tech in late November which will be very tough to win, but in the end they will make the Championship game.
Russell Wilson an All ACC quarterback is back with another year under his belt and a slew of returning players on both sides so I can see 9-3 record and an ACC BCS crown!