By Chip Alexander

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"Chip Alexander, Staff Writer Cameron Bennerman's pulled left hamstring is healing, and the senior has returned to practice and should play in the ACC Tournament. Ilian Evtimov's injured foot is still sore but continues to improve, and Gavin Grant probably won't need to wear a mask to protect a broken nose. As for N.C. State's bruised collective psyche, Wolfpack coach Herb Sendek says that's OK, too. "The guys are really doing exceptionally well," Sendek said Tuesday. "We've had very spirited, energetic, intense practices. "Really, that's been consistent. This team has worked hard throughout the season. That's probably one of the reasons why the body of work is good: because they have had a good work ethic and have been able to keep themselves in the right frame of mind." The No. 25 Wolfpack is 21-8 overall and the fourth seed in the ACC Tournament with a 10-6 conference record. But State goes to Greensboro carrying a three-game losing streak: a 24-point bashing by North Carolina, a double-overtime loss to Boston College and a 76-63 loss Saturday at Wake Forest to close the regular season. Bennerman, a third-team All-ACC selection and the Pack's leading scorer at 13.5 points per game, suffered the hamstring injury in the BC game and sat out the Wake game. Sendek said he participated in practice for 30 minutes on Monday and was scheduled to go through a full workout Tuesday afternoon. Evtimov did not practice Monday, but he said he got a few glimpses of Bennerman, noting, "He looked good, he looked like he felt good." Evtimov sprained the Lisfranc ligament in his left foot against Florida State on Feb. 15. After missing the Virginia Tech game, the forward was able to play 15 minutes against UNC, 43 against BC and 27 against Wake Forest. But could Evtimov play three games in three days at the ACC Tournament if State reaches the final? "That's certainly a concern for me," he said Tuesday. "I haven't gone back-to-back days practicing since I sprained my foot. But it's the ACC Tournament, and the injury is three weeks old now. It's getting better. "Hopefully, we'll play three days in a row. In that situation, I'm hoping my foot will feel well enough so I could play all three games." The Pack has a first-round bye and opens Friday at the Greensboro Coliseum against the Florida State-Wake Forest winner. "Obviously, we lost three in a row, [and] everybody is playing with a sense of urgency in practice," Evtimov said. "We know we're a very good basketball team but just haven't played like it. This week gives us time to get everybody healthy, ... and that's very good for the psyche of the team.""

If Evtimov is not 100%, he should not play at all.

Ive never seen someone that looks like they are giving the most minimal of effort when they are hurt like Evtimov. Seriously Herb, I know you love Illian, we appreciate what he has done for NC State in his 11 years here....but if he is still hurt....DO NOT PLAY HIM!!!

3/8/2006 9:17:55 AM

thats right! Panthro watches college basketball on TV so he definately knows whats best for the team!

3/8/2006 9:20:19 AM

yeah you're right, we should sit everyone who is remotely in pain. sit bennerman and gavin too.

we're gonna need every minute we get out of all our guys for this tournament. assuming we don't lose on friday, that is.

3/8/2006 9:25:31 AM

Sounds like the players feel that they have something to prove. I like the sound of that.

3/8/2006 9:31:35 AM

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"Hopefully, we'll play three days in a row. In that situation, I'm hoping my foot will feel well enough so I could play all three games."

Whoa, that's not a daytight compartment mindset.

3/8/2006 9:36:18 AM

haha

3/8/2006 9:37:21 AM

you guys blow that way out of proportion. the point of it is just to keep them focused on the current game, rather than looking ahead. there's nothing wrong with saying "hopefully we win our next three games"

3/8/2006 9:38:27 AM

i heard Brackman's pitching arm needs rest.

better sit him too

3/8/2006 9:40:28 AM

do you guys not remember the Wake Forest game?

27 minutes, 0-4 field goals, 5 turnovers, 2 points, 2 rebounds, and numerous times getting burnt on defense.

3/8/2006 9:52:56 AM

CLEARLY

he was the only player with a poor game that game

3/8/2006 9:55:37 AM

^^that's not the point. the point is he's a body on the floor, and we need all the minutes we can get, especially if we end up playing 3 days in a row

3/8/2006 10:00:29 AM

i'll tell you what Evtimov does...

he is a 5th year player who can calm the guys down when shit gets crazy. he is the on-the-court coach who can motivate and/or settle down the young dudes when we need them to play with more maturity

THAT'S why i think we really need him on the court

3/8/2006 10:09:33 AM

no way...you can't see that on TV so theres no way it happens.

3/8/2006 10:10:24 AM

^^normally...i agree

Lately...I disagree.

as already stated...a terrible showing in the Wake game, a miserable showing in the BC game, where he took extremely questionable almost half court threes and actually passed on the one that could have won the game for us. He is a calming influence when he produces or is at least stable. He has been injured, I'll give him that. But if his injury is still a concern today, why was he out there for 30 minutes last week?

The ACC tourney and NCAA tourney are far more important than the Wake game. Win or lose that game, we are still 4th in the ACC.

Rest him then, and this article doesnt exist.

3/8/2006 10:20:25 AM

i want Wake again!

we will get our revenge

3/8/2006 10:23:29 AM

Quote :

"do you guys not remember the Wake Forest game? 27 minutes, 0-4 field goals, 5 turnovers, 2 points, 2 rebounds, and numerous times getting burnt on defense. "

Shit Atsur was 2-10 on 3s so his ass should sit too. Play Albritton because he didn't have a crappy game at Wake!!

3/8/2006 2:59:31 PM

yeah, and those 23 points atsur scored sucked too

3/8/2006 3:01:12 PM

^^ at least he hustled and made some plays at the end.

offensive output doesnt define a successful game.

Atsur has hustled for lose balls more than any other player this year.

Evtimov contributed little to nothing defensively, offensively, or inspirationally.

[Edited on March 8, 2006 at 3:04 PM. Reason : asdf]

3/8/2006 3:04:33 PM

yeah but Atsurs points mainly came from the free throw line. Evtimov wasn't the sole reason we lost that game our poor shooting is why we lost.

3/8/2006 3:19:03 PM

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"......and Gavin Grant probably won't need to wear a mask to protect a broken nose."

Good, punch him in the face again, worked last time.

3/8/2006 3:27:22 PM

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"Atsur has hustled for lose balls more than any other player this year. "

Atsur always scrambles for loose balls. He's an energetic guy.

It scares me when he does it during exhibition games, though--some of those dives he takes are rough.

3/8/2006 3:35:21 PM