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WRALSportsFan

Ferguson Breaks Out in Pack Exhibition

By Langdon Morris

Nov 7, 2007

Fans who watched redshirt sophomore Trevor Ferguson play last season were probably not impressed with the 6-4 Pittsburgh transfer.

In fact, he often looked more like a deer caught in headlights than a collegiate basketball player: hesitant to shoot and nervous when handling the ball.

But the Trevor Ferguson who played 24 minutes for N.C. State in its 76-41 exhibition win over UNC Pembroke Tuesday night looked like a changed player. Ferguson scored nine points on three three-pointers, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out three assists without turning the ball over once.

“Trevor did a nice job,” coach Sidney Lowe said. “He came in and knocked down some big shots for us.”

According to Ferguson, he has steadily gained confidence in his ability to contribute throughout the off-season.

“I felt it coming, being more comfortable, throughout the end of last season and towards the start of this season and in practice,” Ferguson said. “I’m starting to adjust to the college game and I did feel really comfortable out there tonight.”

Granted, Ferguson’s style of play fits perfectly against a team like UNC Pembroke, whose pesky zone defense pushed State’s big men away from the basket, and forced State to shoot over half of its shots from behind the arc.

“I think what he did tonight was his patience was very good,” Lowe said. “He had some shots early, but he didn’t take it, he swung it around and he waited for it to come back the second time before he took it, and he caught it in rhythm. When teams are playing a zone like that and you get those opportunities, you want guys to be able to sit out there and knock it down.”

Though the Pack will not likely see nearly as much zone defense in ACC play, Lowe said he believes Ferguson can continue to contribute, and will be one of the 10 players Lowe feels comfortable playing regularly. How regularly Lowe gives Ferguson the nod in regular season games, however, is yet to be determined.

“We hope so,” Lowe said of Ferguson continuing to play quality minutes. “We certainly count on him. Hopefully we can keep him at that position, at the two, where he doesn’t have to worry about handling the basketball and he can concentrate on making shots.”

State’s primary ball handlers, redshirt sophomore Farnold Degand and junior Courtney Fells, combined for six turnovers in the game, and looked uncomfortable at times against the zone defense.

Still, Ferguson feels he will no longer have to play point guard and his confidence and efficiency will continue to improve as he plays his natural position.

“Last year I was playing some point guard,” Ferguson said. “This year I’m playing strictly at two, which I feel much more confident and natural playing.”

“When you’ve got such talented players around you, it makes it easier for you as player. They just create more opportunities and they draw a lot of attention, so I’m going to get open looks from outside and I just got to be able to knock them down.”