WASHINGTON— If there was one thing the N.C. State basketball team lacked last season —not counting wins — it was confidence.
A cast of decent players endured a season devoid of any kind of swagger or defiance. The 13-16 campaign ended meekly at the ACC Tournament, the school year ended and summer arrived.
Then everything changed.
Julius Hodge rode into town with enough confidence for everybody in Raleigh. The McDonald’s All-American brought his playground toughness from New York City and clashed immediately with the Pack’s players.
“With me being from Kentucky, they say I’m ‘country,’ ” senior Anthony Grundy said. “It took me a while to get used to it. I’m much more of a laid-back type of guy. I think the summertime really helped us a lot to get adjusted to the way he is.”
Hodge, known by “Jules” among his teammates, spent the summer playing pickup games with Grundy. Hodge’s mouth motored as quickly as his feet. The trash-talking grew to legendary proportions as the senior showed the freshman who was boss.
“We had pretty in-depth combat,”Grundy said. “We earned a lot of respect for each other and I knew he was going to be a great player and a great competitor.
“It’s kind of rubbed off on some guys. We’ve had a lot of guys competing in practice. More words have been said this year than the whole three years. It’s kind of good that it’s happened.”
n
Hodge came to N.C. State as one of the nation’s most coveted guards. The 6-foot-6 slasher considered Maryland and Florida, but felt drawn to the Pack.
“It was N.C. State at the top and everybody else,”Hodge said. “I knew the ACC was the best conference in the nation and I wanted to play against the best players in college basketball night in and night out. I think it’s a very good decision that I’ve made.”
State’s supporters suddenly had reason to cheer head coach Herb Sendek for luring such a great recruit to town. Hodge scored in double digits in his first four games, but had just three points against Massachusetts and an 0-fer against Duke.
“Coming into the season I was supposed to average around 20 points and be the Wolfpack Superman,”Hodge said. “But I kind of learned my role. I know this year I will have to take a back seat because Grundy was playing so well and we have so many good players on the team.
“I think it was a lot of outside expectations, but I also put a lot of pressure on myself. I see myself as that type of player.”
As expectations mounted, Hodge’s season suddenly headed south. Against Maryland, he threw an elbow to the back of Steve Blake’s head, earning a one-game suspension from the league. His next five games were a blur: a combined 29 points on 31-percent shooting.
The confidence wavered, but not for long. Hodge lit up Wake Forest for 21 points in the regular-season finale. Then he hit a huge 3-pointer to knock off Maryland in the ACC Tournament — and ran down the court pointing to the TV cameras
The braggadocio was back.
“For him to be as confident as a player is great and he’s brought it to our team,”Grundy said. “Coming from the year we just endured it’s kind of tough to have confidence, but with him, he kept it on his shoulders and our shoulders as well.”
n
On Friday, Hodge lifted State on his shoulders when Grundy picked up his fourth foul early in the second half. Two straight drives to the basket keyed a 12-point comeback to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Of Hodge’s 16 points, 14 came in the second half.
“When I saw Anthony go out, I knew someone had to step up and make some big plays,”Hodge said. “I know I’m a very hard worker and if I get an opportunity in a game to shine, I’m going to go out there and make the best of it.”
The Pack loved every minute of it.
“I know he wants it so bad,”Grundy said. “I think the toughest thing he’s had to do this year was play a lot different role than he had been playing in high school. For him to be able to do that and really get the chance, it worked out well.”
Thanks to the win, the youngster from New York City gets to play today for the right to go home in a way: advancing to the Sweet 16 means a trip to Syracuse in upstate New York.
But wherever Hodge goes, he’s happy to have made his mark on a school whose pep band plays “Old McDonald” after wins.
“Probably the first week I had to get accustomed to it, but it’s been fun so far,”Hodge said of the culture shock. “I’ve met a lot of great people and we’ve had a great season. I’m happy with my play and I’m going to continue to play well.”
With confidence and chatter every step of the way.
Today's News
