Fells defense hurting his offense?

North Carolina State University

Fells defense hurting his offense?

N.C. State senior Courtney Fells guards Miami's Jack McClinton on January 27, 2009.

By Tim Hall

Feb 28, 2009

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It's been a roller coaster of a season for N.C. State. Just when the Wolfpack began to string a couple ACC wins together, it ran into tough road contests at North Carolina, and most recently Wake Forest.

Now losers of two of the last three, the Wolfpack hasn't received double-digit scoring from senior Courntey Fells in any of those games.

While Fells is normally devoted to defending the opposing team's top scorer, head coach Sidney Lowe is looking for a balance of strong defense and the offense he knows Fells can give.

"You can see where it can affect him," Lowe told Mike Maniscalco on 99.9 The Fan. "We are trying to get to the point where we're telling Courtney 'you have to be able to do both'."

"We still need him to score for us," Lowe reiterated. "When we have played well and won ball games he has given us double-digit numbers."

Fells scored just seven points in the loss at North Carolina, nine points in the narrow win over Virgina, and eight points in Thursday's loss at Wake Forest. Fells didn't attempt more than eight shots in any of those games.

The Wolfpack still have opportunities for quality wins left in the season with three games left against NCAA bubble teams. Sunday night Maryland (17-10, 6-7) visits the RBC Center in what proves to be a very important game.

"It's definitely a big game, this is a big game," Lowe said. "This could come down to the biggest game of the year for us."

Most Recent Comments

RE: Fells defense hurting his offense?

Playing tough defense does not mean that you dont attempt to play offense. Fells does too much standing around on offense,usually in the corner where he is not even in rebounding or passing position. I have seen him score 6-10 points in 2-3 possessions when he is aggressive, and then score nothing the rest of the game. Plenty of players play hard-nose defense and still participate in the offense. You cannot have one of your 5 players concentrating soley on defense, and not trying to score...especially someone who CAN light it up like Fells. There is no excuse for tanking on offense b/c you are guarding the other teams best player. State's best chance to go to the NCAA was to win out in the regular season and win a couple of tournament games. The loss to WF was prolly fatal. State has NO resume to show to the selection committe....they have 4 wins against the bottom 3 teams in the conf. They have not shown that they can play a whole GAME w/o screwing up, so how does anyone expect them to play 4 games in a row w/o screwing up(to win the ACC tourney).

RE: Fells defense hurting his offense?

yancarsleaze has no class. He/she said about the same thing after a Wake loss. I guess he/she is still upset that Wake beat the Tarheels. Must be infatuated with flies. Probably can relate to them .

RE: Fells defense hurting his offense?

saying State doesn't have a chance is just plain stupid. Obvious lack of ACC knowledge. Georgia Tech has a chance. You get an automatic bid if you win the tournament. You could have lost every regular season game period. If you win the ACC tournament you get a bid to the NCAAs

RE: Fells defense hurting his offense?

if you're posting filth then please go and try it on the 12 yr. old dora the explorer board. NCSU still has a shot at the NCAA tournament if they win out and do well in the ACC tournament that is. I count on people like you to advance the carolina stereotype so I do appreciate your efforts.

RE: Fells defense hurting his offense?

Fells should play with his mouth open all game like Brandon Costner. Costner is stealing all the flies at this point. Please, share the wealth. The Farmers have no chance at anything this year (just like most years) except the NIT.

WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina State University