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October means basketball season is starting to feel close. NC State will open its regular season schedule in a month and a half, and on Wednesday afternoon the team got together for its annual media day. Mark Gottfried touched on a number of topics during his time at the podium, and some of his remarks are below. Austin was in attendance for the event, so I'm sure he'll have more in-depth stuff later on.
Gottfried: "Cat has matured... he's gotten bigger and stronger. He spent a great deal of time this summer on his shooting."
— NC State MensBball (@PackMensBball) October 1, 2014
Gottfried: "Cat has taken a lot more interest in listening and understanding. How to get the ball to players. We've talked a lot about...
— NC State MensBball (@PackMensBball) October 1, 2014
Cat Barber said he picked up some good weight this summer. In 160s last yr, 180 now. Gottfried said he's stronger & maybe even a hair taller
— Ryan Tice (@RyanTice) October 1, 2014
Gottfried: "We should be pretty balanced scoring. This team doesn't need to rely on one guy to score"
— NC State MensBball (@PackMensBball) October 1, 2014
Gottfried: "From an offensive standpoint I think our team is going to be a lot like our first two years with 5 guys in double digits"
— NC State MensBball (@PackMensBball) October 1, 2014
Gottfried: "Hopefully we can still score in the high 70s and 80s most nights, but if we can't we've got to be better defensively."
— NC State MensBball (@PackMensBball) October 1, 2014
May or may not have spent a lot of time talking to the Martin twins about.... twins.
— Austin Johnson (@austin_johnson) October 1, 2014
See, that's why he's there. Exploring all the angles.
BeeJay Anya was a popular topic:
Gottfried points out that Anya's weight loss is just the first step. Now the process to become a good player begins.
— Stephen Schramm (@stephenschramm) October 1, 2014
BeeJay Anya said the highest his weight got since arriving at NC State was 349. He'Ss at 290. Said he's playing like he was in high school.
— Stephen Schramm (@stephenschramm) October 1, 2014
"Western Blvd. is my nightmare." - Former fast food fan BeeJay Anya. #Wolfpack
— Stephen Schramm (@stephenschramm) October 1, 2014
I can only imagine the restraint required to avoid caving in to ALL THE FRIED THINGS. Wendy's, Cookout, Bo's, McDonalds, Taco Bell ... you would pretty much just have to stare at the floorboards of the car as you went through that part of the street. Unless you're driving, obvs. Maybe BeeJay could get the headgear that horses use that blocks their peripheral vision. Focus on straight ahead, BeeJay! There is nothing to see anywhere else!.
Lennard Freeman said whole team used to rag on Anya whenever Anya went to the fridge, which I assume was frequently.
— Powell Latimer (@PowellLatimerNR) October 1, 2014
In other news: #NCSU C Beejay Anya said he's down to about 290 lbs with diet and off-season training. Hardest food to cut out? "Ribs."
— Powell Latimer (@PowellLatimerNR) October 1, 2014
At #NCSU bball media day... What are the players most impressed by over the offseason? The slim-trim BeeJay Anya pic.twitter.com/1EbSyI77dH
— Erin Summers (@ErinESummers) October 1, 2014
BeeJay Anya said he always gave himself props in the mirror but he's looking more like "eyecandy" now, which is awesome #NCSU
— Erin Summers (@ErinESummers) October 1, 2014
BeeJay stands in front of the mirror going, "yeah, I would totally date me."
I understand they spend a lot of time there but the cold tub needs TWO wireless networks? pic.twitter.com/vTkCNYo7cm
— Shawn Krest (@KrestACCWriter3) October 1, 2014
Recruiting never stops, Shawn. Recruiting never stops. Every cold tub has its own wireless network nowadays; that's a bare essential. Did you know that at Alabama, each individual locker in the football facility has three wireless networks? That's the cost of doin' business in today's recruiting environment. Okay they probably don't have all those networks, but shit, this is the school with waterfalls in its training area and an arcade in its players' lounge--so it doesn't seem all that far-fetched.
@TrevorLacey5 good day for the PACK! pic.twitter.com/o0ZJcJ5Cp5
— DezLee (@DezLee5) October 1, 2014
Another season of #BattleCannon pic.twitter.com/Kpx1Ijpafx
— NC State MensBball (@PackMensBball) October 1, 2014
Lennard sporting the headgear today. pic.twitter.com/8ctF1wxJyE
— NC State MensBball (@PackMensBball) October 1, 2014
. @catbarber1994 taking care of the ball as he fields Qs at media day pic.twitter.com/LZMg6pHD0R
— NC State MensBball (@PackMensBball) October 1, 2014
Agent Zero. pic.twitter.com/6ZZ0wBUR4C
— NC State MensBball (@PackMensBball) October 1, 2014