11:37 AM ET, Wed March 10, 2010

Pack's Archer comfortable working with Tenuta

Observations from 50-yard Line | Charlotte Observer — N.C. State defensive coordinator Mike Archer was surprised at how much he has in common with new linebackers coach Jon Tenuta."These past three weeks as we’re looking at what we’re trying to do and better our football team, a lot of his terminology and a lot of the things he says are similar to me,” Archer said as the Wolfpack prepared for the start of spring practice today.Coach Tom O’Brien hired Tenuta after Andy McCollum left for Georgia Tech. Tenuta has been one of the most respected defensive coordinators in college football, particularly during his time under Chan Gailey at Georgia Tech....

23 hours ago

Ten to miss spring drills at N.C. State

Observations from 50-yard Line | Charlotte Observer — Nine N.C. State football players will miss spring practice because of injury according to a spring prospectus the school released Monday morning. A 10th player, quarterback Russell Wilson, won't participate in the spring because he is playing for the Wolfpack baseball team. Spring practice starts Tuesday. The injured players are: cornerback Justin Byers, cornerback Jarvis Byrd, tight end Mario Carter, defensive end Sylvester Crawford, wide receiver Steven Howard, offensive guard Gary Gregory, linebacker Colby Jackson, offensive guard R.J. Mattes and defensive tackle Deion Roberson. Ken Tysiac

March 8, 2010

In-game: Virginia vs. N.C. State

ACC Now | News & Observer — GREENSBORO - N.C. State freshman Marissa Kastanek nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Wolfpack a 27-24 lead at half-time of its quarterfinal ACC Women's Basketball Tournament game against Virginia. Virginia's Monica Wright, the conference's player of the year, leads all scores with 10 points, though she picked up her third foul with four minutes remaining in the first half and remained on the bench.    

March 5, 2010

N.C. State 59, Clemson 54

ACC Now | News & Observer — GREENSBORO - There were no double-digit deficits to overcome on Thursday night as the N.C. State women’s basketball team seized an early lead over Clemson and held on in the second half for a 59-54 victory at Greensboro Coliseum. In three games during the regular season, State rallied for improbable victories - down by as many as 12 points late - but there was no need for heroics as the sixth-seeded Pack eked by the 11th-seeded Tigers to advance to the quarterfinal round today where it faces third-seeded Virginia. State needed gritty, cut-the-lane-off defense.  The Pack mustered just eno...

March 4, 2010

VT 71, N.C. State 59

ACC Now | News & Observer — BLACKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Tech's win over N.C. State on Wednesday was as easy as 1-2-3. Malcolm Delaney's three consecutive 3-pointers, after N.C. State cut a 10-point lead to a basket, lifted the Hokies to a 71-59 win over the Wolfpack for their ninth ACC victory of the season. N.C. State's pursuit of a three-game winning streak ended with Delaney's shooting exhibition. The ACC's leading scorer rained in a 3 over Javier Gonzalez, then Julius Mays before splashing a 25-footer to fuel a decisive 11-0 run. State, 4-11 in the ACC, can still avoid the No. 12 seed in next week's ACC Tournament wit...

March 4, 2010

Lowe hoping for NIT reward

ACC Now | News & Observer — At 2-10 in the ACC, N.C. State could have checked out for the season. Instead, the Wolfpack has its first conference winning streak and an overall record of 16-13 with two games left in the regular season. Wolfpack coach Sidney Lowe would like to see his team rewarded with an NIT bid for their resilience. "I think it would be great for our team," Lowe said. "From a standpoint, you know what, you're continued hard work and continued great attitude has paid off and you're going to continue to play." On the plus side, N.C. State has three wins over ACC teams likely to m...

March 1, 2010

Duke 70, Tulsa 52

ACC Now | News & Observer — DURHAM - There was no doubt what was at stake early in the second half as Tulsa stubbornly hung with Duke on the Blue Devils’ home floor. If Duke had lost, ESPN’s SportsCenter almost certainly would have pounced with highlight packages and graphics asking what’s wrong with the Blue Devils and the ACC. Editors would have rejiggered the front pages of sports sections to trumpet a stunning upset. Alas, Nolan Smith, Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler and the Blue Devils’ defense made everybody’s job easier Thursday night as fifth-ranked Duke pulled away for a 70-52 win at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Smith sco...

February 25, 2010

Wake Forest 66, N.C. State 50

ACC Now | News & Observer — WINSTON-SALEM - Every possession of the second half on Thursday proved a struggle for the N.C. State women’s basketball team.  Wake Forest has not made it easy for the Wolfpack in its past three contest, but this time there would be no chance to eke out a late-game victory with a buzzer-beater. Instead, the Demon Deacons prevailed 66-50 at Lawrence Joel Coliseum, pulling away over the final four minutes of the game.   Finally finding a way to handle the Pack’s full-court pressure, the Deacs attacked the basket down the stretch and turned a one-point lead with 4 minutes, 56 seconds into a lop...

February 25, 2010

Pack's Smith will return for senior season

ACC Now | News & Observer — Tracy Smith wants to play in the NBA when his college career is over but professional basketball will have to wait.

 Smith, N.C. State's leading scorer and rebounder, will return for his senior season, he said Wednesday.

 "I'll wait my turn next year," Smith, a junior, said. "I want to graduate and be ready." Smith averages 17.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game for the last-place Wolfpack. Smith called the season "frustrating" for both the Wolfpack's record, 3-10 in the ACC, and the constant double-teams but said he feels his NBA stock would go up with anot...

February 24, 2010

Starting-quarterback job is up for grabs at N.C. State

Winston-Salem Journal — RALEIGH

February 23, 2010
  • Off to Greensboro Chopping Block | Orlando Sentinel Driving up today to Greensboro, folks – the one true home of the Atlantic Coast Conference basketball tournament. Should make it in time for Florida State’s shoot-around in the early evening. Happy Wednesday.
  • Report: Top-shelf defensive back from Cleveland area changes commitment to UM South Florida Sun-Sentinel Latwan Anderson gushes about school’s football prospects, area According to reports, highly regarded defensive back Latwan Anderson, from Glenville, Ohio, has changed his commitment from West Virginia to the University of Miami after a recent visit.
  • Canes could still add two high-end recruits Eye on the U | Miami Herald With spring football in full swing, a forgotten storyline playing out behind the scenes these days in Coral Gables is that the Hurricanes are still in the running to add two of the nation's top 2010 recruits: cornerback Latwan Anderson...
  • Clemson confident entering ACC Tournament Greenville News CLEMSON -- Despite a loss at Wake Forest in its final regular-season game Sunday night, the Clemson men's basketball team enters this week's Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament feeling pretty good about itself.
  • Florida State’s Chris Singleton named ACC’s top defender Florida Times-Union Florida State sophomore forward Chris Singleton is the defensive player of the year in the Atlantic Coast Conference.Singleton was the leading vote-getter on the league’s all-defensive team after leading the league in steals at 2.3 per game. He also enters this week's ACC tournament ranked fifth in blocked shots (1.5 bpg) and 11th in rebounding (7.2 rpg).read more
  • Tigers are confident the best is yet to come The State CLEMSON - Despite a loss at Wake Forest in its final regular-season game Sunday night, the Clemson men's basketball team enters this week's Atlantic Coast Conference tournament feeling pretty good about itself.Much of the optimism stems from the Tigers' rebound from a mid-season lull to a 5-2 finish."We kind of stumbled into the tournament last year," sophomore guard Tanner Smith said. "We went in losing a few more games than we wanted to." Clemson went 3-4 in its final seven regular-season games a year ago, including losses in three of its last four.This year, the Tigers matched their best fi...
  • Wednesday's Charlotte Bobcats links Inside the NBA | Charlotte Observer Wednesday's Charlotte Bobcats links: Bobcats beat Heat, get no credit from Wade / Charlotte Observer Observations: Brown to Clippers? / Charlotte Observer Heat-Bobcats summary / Charlotte Observer Gameday: Bobcats at Sixers / Charlotte Observer Photo gallery: Heat at Bobcats /...
  • Wednesday's Carolina Panthers links Inside the Panthers | Charlotte Observer Wednesday's Carolina Panthers links: Brayton tests market in Seattle / Charlotte Observer Get Panthers news through Facebook by becoming a fan of Charlotte Observer Sports
  • DE Brayton tests market in Seattle Charlotte Observer (By Charles Chandler and Darin Gantt, cchandler@charlotteobserver.com and dgantt@heraldonline.com) Another Carolina Panthers starter could be on the move.Unrestricted free agent defensive end Tyler Brayton was in Renton, Wash., on Tuesday for day and night meetings with the Seattle Seahawks.
  • Bobcats overtake Heat, clinch tiebreaker Charlotte Observer (By Rick Bonnell, rbonnell@charlotteobserver.com) Dwyane Wade was as boorish in the post-game locker room as he was ineffectual in the fourth quarter.Apparently he didn't like the line of questioning, after his Miami Heat blew a nine-point lead in the final quarter of the Charlotte Bobcats' 83-78 victory Tuesday.
  • Wednesday: Bobcats at 76ers, 7 p.m. Charlotte Observer BOBCATS AT 76ERS7 p.m., Wachovia Center
  • Brown reacts to Clippers speculation Charlotte Observer (By Rick Bonnell, rbonnell@charlotteobserver.com) Asked pre-game Tuesday whether he's committed long-term to coaching the Charlotte Bobcats, Larry Brown leaned on a familiar refrain:"It's up to Michael," Brown said, referring to managing partner Michael Jordan.