WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina State University

Wolfpack point guards still in flux, Gonzalez may start against Va. Tech

By Adam Harris

Feb 5, 2009

N.C .State has played 20 games this season.  The most games started by a Wolfpack point guard is 11.  State head coach Sidney Lowe puts a positive spin on his inability to find a guy to take the reins of the point guard position.

"The neat thing about our team right now, especially in that position, is that we have guys that are fighting for that spot," Lowe told 99.9 FM The Fan on Thursday.  "We haven't had one really to step forward and take control on a consistent basis."

Farnold Degand has spent the most time in the driver's seat for the Pack.  Degand's 11 starts and 316 minutes played lead all State point guards.  Depite more minutes and starts, Degand's numbers aren't out-pacing the other Pack point guards.  

Degand's 37 assists are matched by freshman Julius Mays, while Mays has played 17 less minutes.  Javier Gonzalez' 35 helpers are only two less than Degand's; Gonzalez has logged only 209 minutes for the Pack this season.

"Javi has been the best player in practice, the best point guard, for the last six practices,"  Lowe said.  "And, he played better in the last ballgame."

Lowe's recent affinity for Gonzalez' play is with good reason.  State's 5-11 sophomore has led the team in assists more times this season than any other Wolfpack point guard.  That's an impressive feat considering Gonzalez has been battling an ankle injury this season. 

N.C. State travels to Virginia Tech on Sunday for a 1:30 tip off. 

--To hear The Insiders' entire interview with Sidney Lowe, follow the link on this page