NC State connecting with its past in NYC
NC State coach Mark Gottfried will have a special guest when the Wolfpack travel to New York City next Monday for Tuesday's showdown against UConn at Madison Square Garden for the Jimmy V Classic.
Pam Valvano Strasser, the widow of legendary former NC State coach Jim Valvano, who was part of the Wolfpack's inaugural athletic hall of fame class last October, will be joining Gottfried's team on the flight to New York City. Gottfried, who also worked with adidas for the specially designed jerseys for the game, wants the players to know the history of the program and meet her.
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Gottfried reiterated the need for senior center Richard Howell to stay out of foul trouble after fouling out against Michigan last Tuesday, and wants to keep freshman forward T.J. Warren in the starting lineup. He also added that they'll be trying to get freshman shooting guard Rodney Purvis more involved offensively in his new sixth man role.
Gottfried joked that he doesn't have much advice for whoever the new football coach will be for the Wolfpack, but that his phone has been buzzing about the new hire.
Gottfried did talk about what is needed in selling NC State to recruits, though basketball recruiting has some differences compared to basketball, but the message is the same — can the recruit and their parents or mentors trust you to do a good job.
Click here to listen to Gottfried's press conference: