The NC State Game, Feb. 21, 1999

February 19, 1999

Game Data: Tulane (10-13, 4-10 C-USA) hits the road for its final non-conference game of the regular season today at North Carolina State (15-11, 5-9 ACC) . . . Tulane has the honor of playing in the final non-conference game at Reynolds Coliseum . . . The Green Wave plays the final game of a three-game stretch against teams that advanced to the 1983 NCAA Final Four in Albuquerque, N.M. (Houston, Louisville, N.C. State) . . . This is the seventh meeting of the season between the ACC and Conference USA with the ACC holding a 4-2 advantage.

On the Air: The Tulane Basketball Network will broadcast every Tulane regular season game. The flagship station is 50,000-watt WWL-AM 870 in New Orleans. "Voice of the Green Wave" Ken Berthelot is in his 10th year on the men's basketball broadcasts. Additionally, two of Tulane's regular season games will be televised regionally this season. ESPN Regional will carry the Feb. 6 game with South Florida, while ABC-TV will televise the Feb. 21 contest at North Carolina State.

Tulane Head Coach Perry Clark: Perry Clark is in his tenth year as the Green Wave head coach with a record of 163-132 (.553). Clark has guided Tulane to five 20-win seasons, six postseason appearances (3 NCAA, 3 NIT) and the Metro Conference championship in 1992. He was the 1992 National Coach of the Year and a two time Metro Conference Coach of the Year (1991, 1992). Only one other coach in school history has more wins or a longer tenure. He is assisted by Julius Smith, Greg Gary and Kim Lewis. Clark is 0-0 against N.C. State.

The Series: Today's game is the seventh meeting of the series with N.C. State holding a 5-1 advantage. After winning the first game of the series, 41-24, during the 1924-25 campaign, Tulane has lost the last five. The two schools haven't met since 1978-79. Tulane is 0-1 in games played in New Orleans, 0-2 in Raleigh and 1-2 in neutral-site games. See page 89 in the Tulane media guide for more series information.

Scouting N.C. State: The Wolfpack enter play this afternoon with a 15-11 overall record after Wednesday's 62-53 loss at No. 14 North Carolina. N.C. State is an impressive 12-2 at home this season. As a team, the Wolfpack shoots 47 percent from the floor, outrebounds the opposition by an average of 6.6 rebounds per game and outscores them by 7.3 points per game. Individually, Adam Harrington and Kenny Inge lead the squad with a 12.1 points per game average.

Similar Histories: It is fitting that N.C. State hosts Tulane in the Reynolds Coliseum non-conference finale, as both schools share a similar past. Both schools enjoyed a rich era of success under Indiana high school coaching legends, Everett Case at N.C. State and Clifford Wells at Tulane, while both programs have been rejuvenated under current head coaches Herb Sendek and Perry Clark. Incidentally, both Case and Wells are members of the Basketball Hall of Fame.

On a Rampage: Sophomore Ledaryl Billingsley continues to put up large numbers for the Green Wave, as he posted totals of 22 points and 11 rebounds Thursday against Louisville. It was the fourth consecutive double-double for the Chicago native who is averaging 15.3 points and 9.6 rebounds over his last 10 games. He is also shooting .529 (54-of-102) from the field in that span. Billingsley is the only player in the Perry Clark era to record four consecutive double-doubles.

On Target: Bolstered by a season-best second half shooting percentage of .583, Tulane shot .519 from the field on Thursday against Louisville. It is the fourth time this season that the Wave has shot better than 50 percent for a game. While just 2-2 this season when shooting 50 percent or better this season, Tulane is 76-15 (.835) in the Perry Clark era when accomplishing the feat.

A Rarity: In totaling 19 assists and 16 turnovers against Louisville, Tulane posted more assists than turnovers for just the third time this season. Incidentally, the Wave is 1-2 this season in those games.

Reaching 90: With just three regular season games remaining this season, Tulane has yet to reach the 90-point plateau. If the Wave finishes the season without at least one 90-point game, it will be the first time since the 1984-85 season that Tulane had failed to do so. A strong scoring effort is usually a good indicator of success for the Wave, as the club is 5-0 this year when scoring at least 80 points.

Zeroed In: In his last three games, junior Dylan Osean has connected on 17-of-23 (.739) of his attempts from the field, including 8-of-11 (.727) from three-point range. Against Louisville, Osean hit 4-of-5 shots form the field, all coming in the second half

Against North Carolina: Today's game will be Tulane's second of the season against a foe from the state of North Carolina. The Wave defeated fellow C-USA member UNC Charlotte, 70-67, on Jan. 7. Tulane is 14-33 all-time against North Carolina schools.

Up Next: Tulane will close out the regular season with two Conference USA tilts. The Wave hosts Memphis on Feb. 24 before traveling to South Florida on Feb. 27.