He's Backkkkkk, Smith Leads Pack in Return

For the past ten games, Sidney Lowe's Wolfpack (9-4) has taken the floor without their star senior forward, Tracy Smith. In those ten games the Pack went 6-4, and looked out of sync without their big man to run the offense through.

Saturday the Pack welcomed WCC opponent San Diego (3-11) to the RBC Center. It took until the 15:12 mark of the first half before Smith came off the bench and checked into the game to a standing ovation from the 11,000 plus fans in attendance. He would finish the contest with a game-high 16 points, and added two rebounds, a block and a steal in 25 minutes leading the Pack to a 76-54 victory.

If rebounding had been the problem for the Pack without Smith, than his presence must have ignited his teammates to work harder on the boards, especially sophomore Richard Howell. Howell recorded a career high 13 rebounds to go along with 13 points, just his second double-double of his career.

In the end State out-rebounded the Toreos 44-22, equaling their best performance on the boards so far this season. Though Howell's 13 lead the way, it was a team effort as 10 other State players recorded a rebound.

As the clock ran down late in the second half, Coach Lowe appeared to clear the bench. 13 total players checked into the game for the Pack, but one was missing. Absent from the floor today was seven-foot sophomore center Jordan Vandenberg. He had seen time in every game this season- and even started a few times, but never got into the game. One has to wonder if there is something going on with him, as he has only played three minutes in the last three games. The cause of his absence is unknown at this point, and I would assume the topic will be approached later this week.

The Pack have now put their two best performances of the season back-to-back, and have outscored their last two opponents by 53 points and seem to be playing their best basketball- and at the perfect time, too. State has one last non-conference game remaining, against Elon in Greensboro January 5. Then its time for the Pack to dive head first into ACC play against Wake Forest January 8.