Ilian Evtimov came to N.C. State as part of a 2001 freshman class that earned berths in four straight NCAA Tournaments and vaulted the Wolfpack into one of the ACC's perennial contenders. Evtimov, now a fifth-year senior, is the only remaining member of that class and will be counted on as one of the leaders for this year's team.
Without the 2004 ACC Player of the Year and departed-senior Julius Hodge-their statistical and emotional leader-the Wolfpack's solid core of experienced upperclassmen will use more of a team-style approach.
"I think when you lose a guy like [Hodge], for graduation or for injury, it has a ripple effect through your team," head coach Herb Sendek said. "The new guys will have their first role, and our returning players will have roles that bend to the dynamics and the personality of this year's team."
For the first time since his freshman year, Evtimov enters the season completely healthy. Throughout his career, the Bulgarian has played the role of big man in the Wolfpack offense. But this year, he is twenty pounds lighter and ready to increase his production, especially on the perimeter-he is a career 39 percent three-point shooter.
The emergence of sophomores Andrew Brackman and Cedric Simmons as low-post threats will help facilitate Evtimov's switch to the outside. The 6-foot-10 Brackman made key contributions down the stretch last season, including a clutch three-pointer that helped to defeat No. 2 seed Connecticut in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The versatile sophomore also became a defensive presence, leading the team with 40 blocked shots.
"[Brackman] getting this big and Cedric Simmons getting to be one of the top two strongest guys on the team right now gives me an opportunity to lose weight and start playing more perimeter since those two guys can handle the paint," Evtimov said.
In addition to Evtimov, N.C. State returns fifth-year senior Tony Bethel and junior Engin Atsur as backcourt starters. Bethel, like Evtimov, has struggled through a rash of injuries throughout his collegiate career. He will likely miss the beginning of the season while still recovering from the effects of a severe groin pull he suffered during last year's ACC Tournament.
Unlike Bethel, Atsur has not had to struggle to stay on the court. Although only a junior, he has started 58 consecutive games and has developed into one of the ACC's top defenders.
If N.C. State can avoid injuries, it will be one of the deepest and most experienced squads in a somewhat-depleted ACC. Along with the seniors, the Wolfpack expect contributions from their strong recruiting class, including McDonald's All-American Brandon Costner.
"Every year our league seems to lose great players to graduation and the NBA," Sendek said. "But there are always other guys who step in and write their own stories and I don't expect this year to be any different."
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