WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina State University

Lowe says Lawson is the 'glue' for the Tar Heels

By Tim Hall

Feb 16, 2009

At this point last season, the N.C. State Wolfpack was three losses into an eventual nine-game losing streak to end the season.  This season, the Wolfpack has made it to mid-February while riding a two-game winning streak.  One of those wins came against a Top 10 nationally ranked team.

A three-game winning streak could be a tall task for N.C. State as the team heads to Chapel Hill on Wednesday to take on No. 3 North Carolina.  Last season the Wolfpack was trounced by 31 points at the Dean Smith Center.  The Tar Heels took a 43-13 lead into halftime.

Wolfpack coach Sidney Lowe commented on his teleconference Monday about the player leading the way for the Tar Heels, and it's not Tyler Hansbrough.

"Lawson is the guy that makes them go, obviously they have other great players with Hansbrough inside, but I think Lawson is the key," Lowe said.  " I think he is the glue to that ballclub."

Hansbrough is coming off an eight-point performance in Sunday's win at Miami, but scored 31 points in his one game against N.C. State this season.

One player that has helped N.C. State in it's recent winning streak is freshman C.J. Williams.  Before the Virginia Tech game, he did not play in three consecutive games.  Now he has contributed back-to-back double-figure performances against Wake Forest and Georgia Tech.

"He kept himself ready, he always came to work everyday in practice," Lowe said.  "And now it's benefiting our ball club because he's ready to play and he's got his confidence up."

N.C. State and North Carolina tip-off at 8 p.m. on Wednesday night.  The game can be seen on WRAL-TV.