Looking ahead to Seton Hall

Everyone knows by know, Farnold Degand is out for the year with a torn ACL. I don’t think it’s as big a deal as everyone is making it out to be. It’s not like Atsur getting injured people! We’ll be fine.

We play Seton Hall tomorrow night (broadcast will be on ESPNU). The Pirates are riding the wave of a “thrilling, come-from-behind, 112-110 in overtime, victory” over James Madison on Saturday.

Here’s their scouting report on us:

The Wolfpack enter this matchup winners of three straight including their last victory, a 85-77 win over Cincinnati on Sunday. N.C. State was ranked #24 in the nation earlier this season when they won seven of their first eight games, but then lost their next two. Three members of the Wolfpack are averaging in double-digit scoring. Freshman J.J. Hickson is leading the team with 16.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Senior Gavin Grant is averaging 13.9 and and 5.4 rebounds per game. The Wolfpack are shooting 45.9% from the floor this season and limiting their opponents to only 38.9%. They also commit more turnovers than they force.

See more analysis from the SH side. It is extremely in depth, and gives us good insight into our opponent.

Andre Brown update

Yesterday I’m pretty sure I was the first (maybe only?) NCSU site to inform that Andre Brown’s status had been updated to questionable.

Today, the N&O is reporting that:

N.C. State tailback Andre Brown has been cleared to play Saturday against Wake Forest, the school announced Friday.

Andre Brown listed as Questionable for WF game?

So, I’m getting conflicting reports on this.

GoPack lists the following for Saturday’s game:

INJURIES–NC State: DT John Bedics (concussion) –questionable; SS Javon Walker (knee)-out; FB Ced Hickman (shoulder)-probable; OT Julian Williams (knee) –probable; TB Andre Brown (fractured foot)-out; RB Toney Baker (knee)–out for season; TE Anthony Hill (knee)-out for season; FB John Kane (concussion)-out for season; TE Rashad Phillips (rehab from auto accident)-out for season. Wake Forest: OT Joe Birdsong (ankle)-doubtful; OT/OG Matt Brim (ankle)-probable.

Rivals.com states:

North Carolina State TB Andre Brown is questionable for the Wake Forest game. Brown has been sidelined since fracturing his foot Oct. 6 against Florida State.

Anyone else have insight into this? That could be huge if he’s back near 100% to come in to spell J. Eugene. I wouldn’t expect him to get more than 6-8 carries. He’s been out for a good while and may need to be slowly reintroduced to live action. He could be brought in for passing plays as he is an experienced pass blocker. Whatever the case, it would be an awesome boost to the backfield to get him back!

Update: It’s 14:30 hrs and I haven’t seen or heard anything else on the matter.

Javi to play in opener Thursday

GoPack story says:

Sidney Lowe said Tuesday at his weekly basketball press conference, “He has practiced with us the last couple of days,” Lowe said. “And he will play immediately.” “We just want him to come in and run … the offense and be able to spot-up and take his shot, which he has been able to do,” Lowe said. “We don’t want him to try to do too much. We mainly want to make sure when he comes in, we won’t have a drop-off from out starters.”

Finally, a break from the injury goblins!