G L I D E H O Y A S: The Hoyas glide into the champsionship game the "Wright" way in the 2010 Charleston Classic

VS.

IT'S TIME FOR WAR

LL COOL J

The North Carolina State Wolfpack (3-0) are playing without their star senior forward 6'8" Tracy Smith due to a knee injury 5 minutes into the Wolfpack's first Charleston Classic tournament game against the East Carolina Pirates. Smith is one of N.C. State's most experienced players with 51 starts in the 87 games he has played. Playing without Smith, the Wolfpack advanced to championship game against No. 20 Georgetown by beating George Mason 78-65 on Friday night. Coach John Thompson III on N.C. State's big team, "It's something we're going to have to deal with," Thompson said. "With Tracy being out, they might actually be taller. They don't get smaller, they get bigger. That is the strong point of their team." Freshman Guard Ryan Harrow (13.7 points per game) is leading the Pack in scoring and is the leade in assists at 5.7 per outing.

Hoyanation, I'm looking forward to seeing my Hoyas (4-0) continue their Hoya Dream Season in dramatic fashion tonight against ACC foe the North Carolina State Wolfpack. The Hoyas have taken their Charleston Classic games step by step and have gotten better at some of the little things that add up to the big picture. Some of those things in include; communication, point guard leadership and composure, feeding the post and playing unselfish team basketball. This in itself is a sight to see. What we're seeing is a group of young men sacrificing their unselfishness for their teammates. This is what Hoya basketball is all about. Sharing is the word to use, sharing the rock. ‎"For us to have success, there's a balance between what we're going to need from Chris," Thompson said after practice Saturday. "We're going to need Chris to score points, but he's going to have to get his teammates shots and create opportunities for his teammates more so than last year.

‎"I take a lot of pride in assists," said Wright, who also seems to be playing with more patience and composure. "I take a lot of joy and excitement from seeing my teammates get baskets. Everybody wants to score, but somebody's got to pass them the ball. I have no problem with that and I enjoy it. It's me understanding that I need to help other people score, and it will help everyone in the end."

We all have to remember that Senior Hoya guard Chris Wright was suppose to attended N.C. State, but instead chose Georgetown, so you can imagine with the Wolfpack fans that have packed the stands for the first two games what it would it's going to be like when Wright takes the floor, lol. "That doesn't matter," Wright said. "As long as we win, I'll be happy."

Senior guard Austin Freeman is leading the Hoyas in scoring at 18.5 pts. per game, and Chris Wright is the leader in assists at 6.5 per game. Senior center Julian Vaughn is the leader in rebounding at 8.0 per game and leads the Hoyas in blocked shots at 9 for the first 4 games. Vaughn also averages 9.0 points per game.

I guess you could say, "I'M READY FOR THE SHOWDOWN!"

SHOWDOWN