Tackabery Chronicle

. . . for ranking our frontcourt as the best in the nation.

Yes, that would be us.

North.

Carolina.

State.

State Fans Nation picked it up yesterday; mirth and giddiness generally ensued. But I must admit to some serious basketball excitement going on in my house, and it’s not just because football sucks. And every Wolfpack fan I know has said the same thing to me: "I can’t wait for basketball!"

So without further ado, let the chest-swelling begin, boys.

Swingman Grant is a versatile performer who can do a little bit of everything. But I especially like the 180 reverse slam followed by long swinging legs coming off the rim, preferably in the face of someone wearing blue who lives down the road.

Costner . . . can play both inside and outside, scoring in a variety of ways and rebounding well. However, I really respect the stuff right over the head of Tyler Hansbrough followed by the immediate pummeling abuse of the rimstand. How dare it not shatter into a million pieces in utter terror of Brandon?

McCauley is one of the most efficient shooters in the country, and finishes well around the basket. This is my personal favorite of the entire blurb. I believe it ranks as the best understatement I have read since March. Sincerely. Personally, I think they should qualify that with "either hand, natch. Take that, Josh."

Oh, it’s going to be a great year!

tags: gavin grant, brandon costner, ben mccauley, north carolina state, wolfpack basketball, collegehoops.net 

Engin Atsür’s new team, Italy’s Benetton Treviso, played their first pre-season games this weekend in the CBA(China)-Euroleague Challenge 2007 held in Kunshan, China. Treviso lost to China by a narrow three points (75-78) in their first game and to the Sydney Kings in their second game (75-82). You’ll read in the reports that Atsür made an impact, including a nice driving play at the very end of the first quarter of the Sydney game, but they couldn’t pull it out. It looks like Engin is back to a combo guard spot and utilizing his trademark sticky defense. And now he gets to push guys all over the floor, European style.

Stats and other stuff on the challenge here, and you can watch both of Treviso’s matches for free on Euroleague.net TV – click "demand" if it doesn’t load by default and then "full games" or "highlights." Pay attention though, or the announcer will put you to sleep. While I was watching, I was wondering how Engin felt playing in what looked like a high school gym? We’ll miss you in the big bad RBC Center.

While Engin was busy getting set for China, Ilian Evtimov was sweating it out in Frankfurt, Germany for his new team, the Deutsche Bank Skyliners. Apparently the team recently underwent a few pre-season team-building outings which included hanging out playing poker and paddling downstream on a river tour. Ah, the rough life . . . Evtimov and Atsür are now playing in the same league (ULEB), but in different divisions, so they won’t play against one another unless both teams make it to the playoffs.

tags: engin atsur, benetton treviso, ilian evtimov, deustche bank skyliners, uleb, euroleague, basketball