It wasn't even San Diego State as I'd been thinking, but no matter.
Tracy Smith led the Pack with 16 points off the bench in his return after missing the previous 10 games. Lorenzo Brown had 14 points. Richard Howell had a double-double with 13 points and a career high 13 rebounds. He also added 5 assists, a couple steals, and hit his first 3-pointer of the season. Howell operated very well in tandem with Smith, and with Smith occupying a lot of attention from the defense.
Ryan Harrow added 13 points. Deshawn Painter added 8 points and 6 rebounds. CJ Leslie had 8 rebounds, even though he added only 2 points. He was active on the glass, but needs to learn how to play with Tracy Smith and utilize the attention that he will draw.
CJ Williams added 7 points. State was finally able to play their expected 9 man rotation, with some contribution at times from Jordan Vandenberg. They went with the 9 man rotation today. The final was 76-54.
State has one more game against Elon at the Greensboro Coliseum before the ACC schedule begins with Wake Forest. State is now 9-4 and you would expect will be 10-4 heading into ACC play.
They have all their pieces now. I think with this record it will require at least a 9-7 ACC record and probably a win or two in the ACC Tournament to make the NCAA Tournament. The ACC isn't strong in the rankings right now other than Duke but State is going to need some wins over ranked team to pad a resume that has nothing impressive yet after losses to Syracuse, Georgetown, Arizona, and the destruction at Wisconsin.
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