Mark Gottfried sees no reason why N.C. State can't be an ACC basketball power again, even this year in his first season building the program.
He has set a goal of 11 conference victories. N.C. State has one in the books and will try for a another when it plays Georgia Tech at 9 tonight at the RBC Center (FSCR Ch. 46).
"I'm not going to hide from my dreams," Gottfried said. "That's our goal. I'm not afraid of it. I'm not afraid to say it."
N.C. State (12-4, 1-0 ACC) is coming off a 79-74 home victory against Maryland on Sunday. Georgia Tech (7-8, 0-1) battled Duke for 40 minutes in Atlanta before losing 81-74 on Saturday.
N.C. State last was 2-0 in the ACC in 2003-04 under coach Herb Sendek, after defeating Virginia and Florida State. That season also is the last time State won 11 conference games.
Gottfried believes State's ACC woes can stop, if his team can continue to improve as it did through its first 16 games.
"I've also said it's a tall order for our team," he said. "Let's be real honest. Let's keep our eye on the ball and figure out where we've been. And we all know where this program has been.
"I didn't come here to play in anything other than the NCAA tournament. Now whether we can get there or not, that's a whole 'nother story. And we do have a long, long way to go. But I'm never going to hide from that."
N.C. State showed signs of growth against Maryland, and signs of growing pains. The Wolfpack kept a moderate lead for most of the game's first 30 minutes, then built a 67-53 lead.
Only five minutes remained, but State had to fight off one last rally as Maryland closed to five points. State's shooters kept their composure in the final 51 seconds and made 10 of 12 free throws.
Junior swingman Scott Wood considered the performance vital to what the team can do the rest of the season.
"I think it's big, especially to get some momentum and get your feet wet," Wood said. "I think we're on the move. I think we can get better every day, and that starts in practice."
Gottfried was pleased for his players after they defeated Maryland for the first time in 10 games, but he cautioned them against being satisfied.
"We talk to them all the time that each game counts as one," Gottfried said. "I've been through the SEC and the Pac-10. You can have a great win or a last-second shot, and everybody storms the floor, but it still only counts as one.
"Or you can have a tough loss. Somebody can drill one on you. Or you can get blasted and beat bad. It's still only one. Each one is one, and that's the way we've got to approach it."
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