2000-01 record: 13-16; 5-11 in ACC (7th) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: None. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Grundy 14.6 ppg | Rebounds: Grundy 4.3 rpg | Assists: Crawford 3.5 apg | FG %: Melvin 60.4% | 3pt %: Miller 57.8% | FT %: Grundy 76.5% 00-01 Stats: N.C. State | ACC

		Wed., Oct. 31 The single biggest key for N.C. State is generating easy scores. The Wolfpack play hard, defend and grind it out to get in position to win, but N.C. State has shown an inability over the past couple of years to score the easy baskets, whether off transition, turnovers or halfcourt offense, that are necessary to win. Herb Sendek is a very good coach, and N.C. State isn't far away.

Outlook
It's gone, all of it -- the entire frontcourt.

The top four big men on last season's roster (Ron Kelley, Damon Thornton, Kenny Inge and Cornelius Williams) were seniors. Damien Wilkins, who played some at both forward positions, transferred to Georgia after flirting with the NBA. That leaves the Wolfpack with sophomore Marcus Melvin (4.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg), who showed encouraging flashes in limited minutes last season, and a host of freshmen: 6-foot-10 Jordan Collins, 6-9 Josh Powell, 6-8 Levi Watkins and 6-7 Ilian Evtimov. Powell and Watkins are greyhounds, Collins is a horse, and Evtimov is a sly fox. Expect all four to play.

The Wolfpack is deep, experienced and talented at guard. Senior Anthony Grundy (14.6 ppg, 2.2 spg) has danced around All-ACC consideration for two seasons. Senior Archie Miller (9.3 ppg, 57.5 percent on 3-pointers) was leading the country in 3-point shooting before being hurt last season. Junior Cliff Crawford (7.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg) is a solid defender and serviceable point guard.

Sophomore Scooter Sherrill (4.2 points) is a fabulous athlete, a former McDonald's American, whose jumper could use work but who really just needs more minutes. And freshman Julius Hodge could be the best of them all, a 6-6 New Yorker who can play anywhere from the point to small forward.

What we like: One through 10, N.C. State might have as athletic a roster as any in the ACC. Maybe beyond. But a lot of it is young talent, so impatient Wolfpack fans, try to show some patience.

What we don't like: That all-new frontcourt bodes badly for N.C. State, which must contend on a regular basis with some of the best big men in the country.

The bottom line: Wolfpack fans were stunned last season when an NCAA tournament team didn't materialize. They won't be stunned this season when the same thing happens.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Anthony Grundy	Sr.	G	6-3/185	PTS: 14.6 | REB: 4.3 | AST: 3.3
Clifford Crawford	Jr.	G	6-3/190	PTS: 7.7 | REB: 3.2 | AST: 3.5
Archie Miller	Sr.	G	5-10/160	PTS: 9.3 | REB: 1.3 | AST: 2.0

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Damien Wilkins	F	6-6/225	PTS: 11.7 | REB: 5.8 | AST: 2.7
Kenny Inge	F	6-8/235	PTS: 11.9 | REB: 7.2 | AST: 0.5
Damon Thornton	F	6-8/240	PTS: 6.9 | REB: 7.2 | AST: 0.3

North Carolina State Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Jordan Collins	F	6-10	Hyattsville/DeMatha Catholic (Md.)
Julius Hodge	G	6-6	Bronx/St. Raymond's High (N.Y.)
Josh Powell	F	6-9	Riverdale/Riverdale (Ga.)
Levi Watkins	F	6-8	Rockville/Montrose Christian (Md.)
Illian Evtimov	F	6-7	Romania/Reynolds/Bishop McGuinness (N.C.)