The Wolfpack men's basketball program has been down the past few years, with sprinklings of hope only to be dashed later by disappointment.  The current team is predicted to struggle this upcoming season, but there is again reason for hope.  More after the jump.

The current roster is young with only one real proven player, C/PF Tracy Smith.  However, the recruiting class of 2009 was a quality class with players at every position.  Guys like 4-star PF Richard Howell (#61 overall player in the country), 3-star PF/C DeShawn Painter (#127 overall player in the country), 3-star SG/SF Scott Wood (#133 overall player in the country) and C Jordan Vandenburg are all young guys with complementing skill sets who would need some time to develop.  However the best of the bunch, 4-star PG/SG Lorenzo Brown (#37 overall player in the country), had to wait to enroll due to academic eligibility. 


The 2009 loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise as the 2010 class is turning out to be a top 10 class in the country, maybe even top 5.  The previously mentioned Brown is reportedly still solid in his NCSU commitment along with 5-star PG Ryan Harrow (#24 overall player in the country) and recent commitment 4-star PF Luke Cothron (#33 overall player in the country). 
Why would getting Brown in 2010 be a blessing in disguise?  Well, even if he played this year, the team probably would not be too good, meaning challenging in the ACC.  Plus there are already 3 PG's on the team (even though they each have their issues), Sr Farnold DeGand, Jr Javier Gonzalez, and So Julius Mays.  So getting him next year, maybe in the spring, would defer a year for a very talented player giving the team more quality young players for a longer time, unless any of them leave for the NBA of course.  So with the 2009 class getting time to develop and grow, then getting 3 quality players, so far, in 2010, that looks like a potential bounce-back year.  Here is a look at the possible roster for 2010. 

Potential Starters:
PG - Ryan Harrow (Fr) SG - Lorenzo Brown (Fr) F - Luke Cothron (Fr)
PF - Richard Howell (So) PF - Tracy Smith (Sr)

Bench: PG - Julius Mays (Jr) PG - Javier Gonzalez (Sr) SG/SF - Scott Wood (So) SF - C.J. Williams (Jr) SF - Josh Davis (So) SF - Johnny Thomas (Jr) PF - DaShawn Painter (So) C  - Jordan Vandenburg (So)