Point Guard Play Is Critical For Lowe, Wolfpack

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Point Guard Play Is Critical For Lowe, Wolfpack

Engin Atsur drives to the basket midway through the second half of a game during the 2007 NIT. Atsur had twelve points on the night, shooting 5-9 from within the arc.

By Langdon Morris

Oct 15, 2007

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POST VIEW

With four returning starters, a top-25 recruiting class, and a coach whose charisma has State fans reliving the glory days of N.C. State basketball, there remains one major question heading into the 2007-2008 season: Who will be the floor general to replace Engin Atsur at point guard?

After joking that the inexperience at point guard concerned him “to death,” coach Sidney Lowe broke down exactly what he expects from his point guards this season.

“Certainly you like to have some experience in that position, because it’s a very important position on the floor,” Lowe said. “But I think if your guys understand what they’re doing, understand what you want from them, and more importantly what we need from them, then it makes it a lot easier. The thing is understanding your teammates. If I’m a point guard and I have a lot of scorers around me, then I don’t have to try to do too much. Keep aggressive and take care of the basketball.”

THE CANDIDATES

Farnold Degand
6-4 Redshirt Sophomore

With freshman Javier Gonzalez out until early November with a torn ligament in his right thumb, and transfer sophomore Marques Johnson ineligible until December, the starting nod will likely go to redshirt sophomore Farnold Degand.

Degand was unable to play last year after transferring from Iowa State, where he red-shirted his freshman year.

What sets Degand apart from the others, according to Lowe, is his quickness and knowledge of the offense after practicing with the team all last season, particularly against Atsur.

“[It’s] very important, the fact that he was around to practice and run our offense, and actually to learn, somewhat, from Engin.” Lowe said. “Now they’re different type of players. And Farnold might try something that Engin might not try to do, but I think just the fact that he had to play against him every day, watched him run the offense, has watched film, he’ll continue to do those things.”

Degand, a former Boston City All-Star in high school, said he most enjoys an up-tempo offense and running in the open court.

Though Lowe will have more depth for the fast break this season, he said he would like to see Degand learn when to run and when to settle down.

“We’re going to ask him to do a few different things then he’s used to doing at that position,” Lowe said. “He’s north south, get up and down the floor. And we’ll do that and allow him to do that, but he’s got to be able to run the show, to execute the play because he has some pretty good pieces around him.”

According to Degand, those “pieces” are what will make his job easier this season.

“With the athletic guys we’ve got, and with me being able to push the ball up, it’s going to make my job a little easier,” Degand said. “And it’s going to make their job a little easier. They aren’t going to have to create so much for themselves, but will have a lot more spot up shooting, alley-oops and things of that nature.”

Marques Johnson
6-5 Sophomore

Although Johnson will be ineligible to play until December, Pack fans to expect to see him backing up Degand as soon as he is eligible. Johnson, a transfer from Tennessee, must wait until December because of the NCAA transfer rule which makes transfers wait one year before competing.

Still, Johnson practiced a majority of last season, and will continue this fall. Both Degand and Johnson agreed that they offer different strengths to the point guard position. Johnson said he brings more of a patient half-court mindset to the offense.

“I like to push it into the open court, but I’m definitely better in the half-court set,” Johnson said. “Farnold likes to get out in the break. He’s more fast and quick and likes to push the ball a lot.”

Though he doesn’t run the floor as quickly, Johnson is more than capable of running the show, according to Degand.

“Marques has a good feel for the game,” Degand said. “He handles the ball well and handles pressure well.”

One advantage each point guard has, according to Johnson, is that the coaching staff is loaded with former point guards, including Lowe, who led State to the 83’ Championship title and Monte Towe, who ran the show for the 74’ Championship team.

“I think with the starting four coming back this year, they’re all very high caliber players that make the point guard job a whole lot easier,” Johnson said. “With coach Lowe and coach Towe being point guards, and a lot of our coaches having played point guard, it’s going to make or jobs a lot easier.”

Javier Gonzalez
6-0 Freshman

With Johnson ineligible until December, Lowe said he hopes Gonzalez can return to action as soon as possible. He will be out until early November as he recovers from surgery on his right thumb for a ligament injury he suffered in practice.

Degand said Gonzalez is a nice mix of his speed and Johnson’s patience, and many teammates described him as more of a scoring point guard.

Still, his ability to recover from his injury will determine how much the Puerto-Rican native can contribute this season. Gonzalez is confident he will be healthy soon, and ready to help out.

“I don’t think it’s going to affect me,” Gonzales said. “I think it’s going to help me get my left hand better than what it is. It may affect my shooting a little bit, but it shouldn’t make much of a difference. I’ll visit the doctor next week and will assess the situation from there.”

The Others
If Gonzalez cannot play early in the season, Lowe may have to turn to his shooting guards to perform. Lowe said he admired how Courtney Fells performed in his limited time at point guard when called upon last season. Sophomore Trevor Ferguson has practiced some at point this year, but most of his reps have been at the shooting guard spot.

Gavin Grant said he doesn't anticipate having to give the point guard position another run, but would be willing to bring the ball up if needed.

Most Recent Comments

I'm not going to hate. I think the Pack will be great this year. I believe it's a toss up between the three Triangle teams for the regular season championship. Anyone of the three can win it. I think it's great to see UNC, State, and Duke as title contenders. It's been a while since that has happened.

how can any state fan call out another person for being a fan of a school he/she didnt graduate from? states coach isnt a grad of the school he loves. tbk, those jokes are funny. but, i bet your boss is a carolina grad.

graduating from state doesnt say much about anyone. i think graduating from st pauls, online, is much more prestigious. just ask sidney lowe.

how about last year in chapel hill? how about that acc title game? how about this year? i feel the heels will hammer nc state. i cant wait. carolina is going 16-0 in conference this year.

When someone insults your alma mater, it's not an argument. It's an insult. Who was arguing?

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