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

North Carolina State University

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

N.C. State head coach Sidney Lowe signals to his team as they take on North Carolina Central on February 3, 2009.

By Adam Harris

Feb 5, 2009

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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

Most Recent Comments

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

Trust me, John Wall will not be wearing red next season.
- Posted by PACKFAN08

You're probably right.

But you have nothing but your opinion, do you?

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

Trust me, John Wall will not be wearing red next season.

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

Hmmmm, let's see play for John Calipari, or Sidney Lowe. NO Brainer...
- Posted by PACKFAN08

Is he really playing for a coach, or is he playing for himself? Remember, one and done...... he's only here because he can't go to the NBA yet. I don't think he's a kid looking for the best coach to help him gain the skills needed at the next level.

Another feather in our cap is that Hickson as drafted #19 overall as another poster wrote. That bodes well for Sid.

I was just curious if you had any information about Wall besides your gut feeling. It sounds like you don't.

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

Memphis...
- Posted by PACKFAN08

It's just hard to imagine anyone wanting to go to Memphis when they could play for any ACC school.

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

Memphis is absolutely not on TV more than the pack. tell me how many conf usa games have you seen on espn, espn2, espnu? if Wall goes to Memphis it won't be for more exposure, it will be b/c he feels that memphis is a better fit.

as for javi starting, nothin surprises me about lowe's rotation. how does cj go from starting 4 or 5 games in a row, to zero minutes the past 2 games? how do you explain simon harris starting the ot period against miami after not playing the entire game or the 6 or 7 games prior? i'm certainly not at practice, and am not a hoops coach, but cannot imagine javi being the best option at the point.

Sid still deserves 5 yrs before anyone lays blame on his shoulders.

WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina State University