Dan Wiederer of the FayObserver wrote an article concerning NC State basketball this morning entitled "Trio of recruits will prove key to State fans' pain relief." In the article talks about the importance of getting Ryan Harrow, Lorenzo Brown and C.J. Leslie on campus in 2010. He makes note of the frustrations of the Wolfpack Nation and believes that the landing of these three could ease the pain of the fanbase. Here is a small excerpt from the article: "Longtime recruiting guru Brick Oettinger looks at the Wolfpack's future and envisions big things. Potentially.
In Oettinger's best case scenario, State could go to the floor to start the 2010-11 season with a starting lineup that includes electric guards Lorenzo Brown and Ryan Harrow and do-everything forward C.J. Leslie.
Surround that trio with guys like C.J. Williams and Scott Wood on the perimeter and Tracy Smith inside and it's not hard to imagine the Wolfpack emerging as an NCAA tournament team once again.
"Put all that together and you could have the makings of an incredibly dangerous team," Oettinger says. "With Leslie and Brown and Harrow in the mix, there honestly wouldn't be a whole lot of talent differential between State's top six or seven and Carolina's and Duke's."
"I think State could be very close to becoming a serious ACC contender in a year or two," Oettinger says. "But they'll have to get all of those guys. And if they get none of them? Well ."
Make sure to read the FayObserver article in its entirety.
Also contrary to other media outlets, the News and Observer is reporting that NC State is definetly still on Leslie's list. According to the N&O, "Leslie and his mother plan to invite Kentucky, North Carolina, Maryland, Connecticut, Oregon and probably Florida in for visits (in-home)."
"Leslie said N.C. State is still on his list, too."
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28 Responses to "Sharing The Wealth"I understand that Leslie is do everything and all but I don't see what his "they have to get all three" means. Is it for the perception the fan base has- an ibuprofen to ease somewhat frustrating pain?
Why in the world would someone discount the big man skills Richard Howell displayed in his prep/ aau/ and all star tourney performances? How would Carolina and Duke like to fend off dribble penetration from the likes of Harrow, Zo, Wood all while knowing that Tracy Smith is an offensive rebounding monster? Do you always leave Tracy early and go contest Ryans tear drop shot in the lane?
I'm not suggesting Brooks write any off these hypothetical's down on paper but it would be strange if they didn't cross his mind first. Unless he is someone so focused on just prep recruits that he forgets what pieces are already in place, I guess.
As far as Leslie is concerned he has done exactly what he stated he would do. He committed at too early an age and he wanted to experience the whole process as many of the elite players do. He and his family have gone about that and seem genuine in the attention to details. Obviously Kentucky and UNC will get a huge opportunity to land him because they've established a reputation and system to land the big ones and move them on to the big salary careers (atleast Cal has Camby and Rose to lean on here). I think until Lowe establishes a few more JJ Hickson first rounders then we are always fortunate to just to in the mix- although this argument always falls on deaf ears since there evidently is "pain" in the lives of the many BBall fans and followers.
From what we here UNC probably won't offer Leslie.
"Leslie said N.C. State is still on his list, too."
That tells me all I need to know. Let's try to get Cothon signed up and call it a hell of a year.
I would love to land Leslie but I just don't see it happening.
As long as we get Brown and Harrow here we will be in the NCAAT next year. I will guarantee that now. Leslie would be great but I am confident even without him we will have a very good team.
Agree with you Jose, the author completely forgot about Painter and Howell they both could develop into very good players.
Then Roy smoke too much crack. Hes THE BEST player in the state hands down
Nice article about the furture, and accurate if it all plays out the way he describes.
However, Howell and Painter don't appear to be to shabby and probably will be down right good by the start of their softmore season.
Don't count State out with Leslie. Anything can happen. Don't read into the way its quoted. There isn't much need for an in-home visit with State, because he already knows the ropes.
Hey WPH what ever happened to the Bo Ingram clips and news you talked about a few weeks ago?
If UNC doesn't offer Leslie then I see it coming down to NC State, Florida, and Kentucky. I don't see him going all the way to Oregon and Maryland doesn't have anything more than NCSU.
To tell you the truth I hope that Brandon Knight goes to UCONN, Irving goes to IU, Selby goes to Kansas, Jackson to Memphis, and Joseph to Louisville so there won't be a reason for Leslie to go to UK.
But if I am telling the truth...I feel like unless his mother makes it apparent to him that she wants him to play for Sid (obv. not the case after has pulled out of his previous commit) then I think he is a UK lock. But would love if thats not the case.
The truth is no one knows where CJ is going to school including the young man himself. We all need to be patient and let this play out. I feel a lot hinges on this years team and how we perform. If we perform well this year, recruits will take notice.
I think the author speaks the truth without C.J. or Cothron were not a tournament team in two years. Yes Ryan and Zo are really good, but its not enough for the pack. Tracy can play, Painter and Howell are going to be good but not good enough. Were an NIT team with out C.J. or Cothron.The main thing right now is this year's team not next year's.
^Complete agree with Backdpack...IMO, a strong pack season makes his decision easy. On paper, the pieces are starting to fall in place. If we can manage an exciting season, and with the recruits we already have coming in, we start to create a program where in 50 years, fans can once again say, "I remember when..."
Our apologies about the Ingram stuff. It is still coming. We can confirm that he doesn't have a commitable offer.
From what we hear, Painter has been really impressive in the workouts thus far.
Painter excites me
I agree Pack Leader, Painter is exciting. He not only makes the team as a whole better, he makes T. Smith better in practice. From what I have seen, Howell is skilled but will take a year to develop, but Painter comes in with skills ready for the ACC. He will of course have his freshman moments but look for big things from him. Scott Wood will also surprise alot of people.
Plus Lowe wants to have a team with atleast perimeter players willing and able to create plays and making quick decisions with the pass and dribble. The team that I can think of out there on the college landscape that plays to the style Lowe visions for us is Jay Wrights Nova Wildcats.
It is all guard dictated with them- 99%. They had one big man named Cunningham that looked like Tracy Smith and then a lot of role players banging the boards. I think they made it to the NCAA's last year, can't quite remember if they beat anyone we are familiar with...hmmm, maybe Duke...I don't know.
I read the article this morning and my opinion is we make the tournament this year! I'm excited about ryan and lo next year but I'm excited about what we have this year. One of our biggest problems has been our guard play, and I feel javi has grown in the last few years and mays has had a big offseason and is ready to fight for a starting position. CJ is ready to break out he knows he has to play a huge role this year and I beleive he has a leadership mindset this year. Tracy can play with any big man in the acc maybe better. Painter reminds me of JJ and Howell has the body to be huge down low. And scott will light up the nets this season. And although no one may agree with me Horner will be HUGE this season, IMO he could be what Costner was his freshman season and can play defense. As far as next year I love our new additions at the guard spots and I think CJ backed out because he wanted to raise his stock and he has done that so whatever decision he makes is cool with me. I'm a state fan and the best thing about being a state fan is doing what others think we can't. Who expected 1983 we gotta beleive!
Adding Painter, Howell, and Wood automatically makes this the most athletic team we have had in a while. All of those guys are runners and Painter/Howell shouldn't have any trouble finishing on the break. IMO if Javi pulls it all together then we are a tournament team...If not, and the guard-play struggles yet again then we aren't. Its as simple as that...
Don't forget Davis he and Thomas are probably the most athletic of them all.Games are going to be fast paced this year as long as are gaurds can hang.
Uh, I'm pretty sure that CJ Leslie would make Catawba a tournament team.
We're going to be OK this season, and probably much better than that. The wins may, or may not, increase substantially, but we will finally be putting an exciting group of players out on the court once again.
Whether people have the patience to wait it out, or whether they can look at this thing objectively enough to even realize it, Sidney Lowe is making strides in building this BB program back up into what it always should be. And, he's doing it while setting his sights much much higher than anyone has set them in Raleigh in decades.
CJ's good but not that good he couldn't make catawba a tourney team. Does anyone really expect realistically that will make the big dance this year. I would be impresed if we made the NIT this year, and went 2-3 against UNC, Duke and Wake Forest. I'd call it a good year.
^ I actually think we will be on the bubble for the NCAA this year. I really do think we are going to be better than people think. Not having Zo hurts. He would have been a difference maker. But this team does have some talent. If we can actually defend (sigh) this year we could do some things.
do you thin ncstate is going to do good in football.
^ judging by that first half of football
NO
I was walking through campus yesterday and i saw CJ Williams limping very badly any info on that wolfpack hoops?
thanks
I saw CJ at the game last night and he seemed fine to me
Good to hear that Leslie seems to have confirmed his continued interest in State.
Sorry if this is redundant, but how is Horner doing after his minor knee surgery back in July? IS he working out? Or on track for practice in mid-October?
C.J. Leslie would make Campbell, Western Carolina, or East Carolina a tournamaent team. If you don't know that, you ain't seen him play.
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