In the most recent post, I complained about Williams and Arceneaux, enough said. Paul (47 points!) McNeil is getting the local and national media treatment right now. Let’s look at the rest of the key players.

Caveat: This is a report card on 13 games, 6 against Q3 / Q4 opponents, compared to full seasons. These are simply indicators, some of which will get better, some will trend in a more southerly direction.

NOTE: Following the pattern of strong offensive performances noted below, it’s also worth a reminder that both Williams (32 pts) and McNeil (47 pts) have set career highs in points.

2. Ven Lubin Google says the biblical definition of Lubin is “Heart of a man.” Totally apropos! No one is saying anything bad about Ven. Only he and ‘Q’ have started every game so far this season. He’s already had 3 double-doubles (including Kansas) and 3 other games with double digit scoring and 9 rebounds. That alone puts him on the Wolfpack’s OOC Mt Rushmore. And let’s not forget that he’s shooting 69%, best in the ACC and 4th in the country.

3. Musa Sagnia is rising to the challenge of giving Ven Lubin adequate bench time and providing quality defense and rebounding at the center position. Granted, he is still a work in progress, but his athleticism and motor show up every game. He’s played at least 20 minutes in the last two games, and against a talented Ole Miss team, he had a solid box score with 7 rebounds, 3 points, and 1 assist, block and steal. And he hasn’t fouled out since the first game.

4. Alyn Breed was the biggest question mark coming into the season. He was thought of mostly as a strong defensive player at Providence – but last season he exploded as a scorer. (2 games) He is now a full year removed from his knee surgery, and he’s starting to get his game back. He should only get better.

5. Tre Holloman was brought to NC State to lead the team at point guard. Surprise! It’s Quadir Copeland’s world, and we’re all just living in it. Tre has moved to shooting guard. Coach Wade said in his summer intro that the goal was to get Tre shooting as well as he did as a sophomore at Mich St. Mission accomplished. Tre scored double digits 16 times in 37 games last season. So far he’s had 8 double digit games in just 13 games.