Howard’s challenge answered

BY RONNIE GALLAGHER
SALISBURY POST

Unlike an upperclassmen who has been through the ACC wars, Howard hasn’t learned to be politically correct when a reporter sticks a microphone in his face.

He’s no John Rocker, mind you, but his remarks in the Winston-Salem Journal Tuesday morning shook the world that is Wake Forest basketball.

It’s a world that had already been shaken. It’s hard to forget the Deacons’ initial two losses — the first to Georgia on a falling-out-of-bounds-heave at the buzzer and the other to Oregon on yet another improbable buzzer beater.

Dave Odom’s Deacons never seemed to recover and an 8-1 start went right down the NCAAdrain. Before Tuesday night’s game with N.C. State in Lawrence Joel Coliseum, Howard, a wet-behind-the-ears freshman who played at nearby Glenn High in Kernersville, was asked his impressions of the losing and the 13-11 record.

Uh-oh.

Howard basically said some of his teammates just wanted to get the season over with. He talked about the bickering and complaining and thought the Wake players should just forget about it and play.

And there it all was, right there in print for all of his teammates to see.

“I wouldn’t say I was surprised,” said team leader Robert O’Kelley after reading the remarks. “Maybe it was a good thing for this team.”

Maybe it was, Rafael Vidaurreta agreed.

“All of the guys were real excited,” the junior from Spain said. “We were all smiling and really happy during warmups.”

As for Howard, he said no teammate chastised his verbal barrage. “They respected me for what I did,” he said.

And Howard, as much as any Deacon, was the reason Wake bounced back with a vengeance, beating N.C. State 71-53.

Howard didn’t shut up. He just put up — big numbers, that is. He scored 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, grabbed 12 rebounds, dished out three assists and even blocked a shot.

“I knew we could handle the pressure,” he said. “We showed we have the heart to get it done.”

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Speaking of pressure, N.C. State certainly seems to feel it right now. After starting out 15-4, it has lost four straight. The loss to Wake was its sixth straight overall. One national college TV show even questioned whether the Pack deserved an NCAATournament bid because of the road woes. Now, there is a question whether State can even win at home, considering No. 3 Duke visits the Entertainment and Sports Arena Saturday.

“We still have these last few games,” said Anthony Grundy, who was a non-factor against Wake. “We have to find some way to win those games, even if its 2-0.”

That’s the problem, though. After a listless first-half performance Tuesday, some are wondering how far down the Pack will be by the time it scores its first two points.

Think West Rowan coach Mike Gurley will loan out Wolfpack recruit Scooter Sherrill for some offensive punch over the last two weeks?

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You could feel the desperation in the N.C. State locker room.

Everyone was asking the Pack players the same question.

What has happened?

“Iwish I knew,” said senior guard Justin Gainey, who along with Grundy, combined for 4-of-18 shooting. “We’ve got the talent to beat anybody in the country.”

No one was arguing when Gainey hit a last-second 3-pointer to beat Purdue in West Lafayette Dec. 1.

No one was arguing until nemesis North Carolina handed State its first loss ever in the ESA last week.

Now, with the losing streak, there are plenty of arguments and Sendek has to keep a stiff upper lip while facing the sharks that make up the media.

Why the slow start Tuesday night, Coach? How could your team fall behind 15-2? Wasn’t your team ready to play?

Sendek defended his players, saying, “Our team was focused and prepared coming into this game. We had great practices. I can’t be more pleased with our togetherness.”

If there isn’t a turnaround — and a quick one — the Pack may be together in the NIT again.

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As for Wake, the Deacs thought they had the talent to beat anybody in the country when the season began. In fact, Vidaurreta said as much, predicting the NCAATournament was a given.

“Thanks for reminding me of that,” he told a reporter after his 10-point, seven-rebound effort. “Now, I’m going to go home and shoot myself.”

Howard could have shot himself in the foot for his remarks but sometimes, things just need to be said. And maybe that’s why it’s good that a freshman was the one opening his mouth.

Howard didn’t know any better. He just wants his team to be better.

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Ronnie Gallagher is the sports editor of the Post.