Mark Gottfried wasted little time overhauling the 2012-13 basketball schedule after taking over at N.C. State, and he has big plans for the future, including potential trips to Puerto Rico and Hawaii.
Gottfried said Wednesday about 80 percent of the schedule was set when he walked in the door, and only about 20 percent of that remains.
One of the immediate changes, yet to be finalized, involves pulling out of a holiday tournament in Las Vegas to play in the Legends Classic, which concludes in Newark. Possible opponents in that tournament include Texas, Vanderbilt and Oregon State.
It's all part of Gottfried's scheduling philosophy, which is to schedule every game with the RPI in mind. Having lost out on a tournament bid once because of his nonconference schedule, at Alabama in 2001, he doesn't intend to let it happen again -- and immediately made changes at N.C. State.
“It was fast when I got here,” Gottfried said. “Real quick. I understand what goes into this conversation with the selection committee. I understand that clearly: crystal clear. Hopefully you can do the things where if you end up in that situation, you’ve helped yourself.”
Down the road, Gottfried said N.C. State is in talks to play in three of ESPN's holiday tournaments, with a trip to Hawaii mixed in as well. If all goes as planned, N.C. State will play in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off in 2012-13, the Old Spice Classic in Orlando in 2013-14, the EA Sports Maui Invitational in 2014-15 and the 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif. in 2015-16.
"We would just run through the gamut of them," said Gottfried, who came to N.C. State from ESPN.
N.C. State's return game against Syracuse at the RBC Center remains on the schedule, and the Wolfpack expects to host its game in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at (919) 829-8947, @LukeDeCock on Twitter or
Comments
Re: VT
Wed, 05/04/2011 - 19:01 — packman1Right on the VT comment. They've been jilted a lot so find out what they do and do something else.
VT
Wed, 05/04/2011 - 21:29 — ab3623I had a neighbor who had a vanity license plate that said LVMYVT. I thought, "Love my Vermont?" Then I realized she drove a Corvette. Guess you mean Virginia Tech. Yes, I expect the PacK to be better than VT.
Vt
Thu, 05/05/2011 - 07:06 — gvillegatrThey changed their scheduling habits for the better, but they couldn't win these games.
Scheduling up still means you need to win them. That's how you get the rep you guys so desperately want (and need).
g-alligator, and diddy!
Sun, 05/08/2011 - 11:57 — bluecat69bluecat69u two fools are nothing but dreamers! the cow-college is always going to be a bottom feeder in the acc, u hire a washed up sec loser, and some has-been assistants and think u can compete with the likes of the MIGHTY BLUE-DEVILS, u two good ol boys need to get a life
GOTTA LOVE IT
Wed, 05/04/2011 - 16:41 — JPDOhioThese guys certainly have hit the ground running. Sounds like they are hitting recruiting hard and the attempt to improve the non-conference schedule is smart. I'm not sure where we are going to end up, but it looks like we are going to get there fast. Good.
I hate to say this, but I have to--this is the difference between hiring someone already familiar with the college game and getting a pro coach with no college coaching experience who needs a couple of months to get up to speed.
Truth
Wed, 05/04/2011 - 20:06 — YAR8packExcellent ending to your post. Nothing wrong with telling the truth--no apology necessary.
Go Right At 'Em
Wed, 05/04/2011 - 15:59 — ab3623Back in the early eighteen-hundreds when the British Navy ruled the world, their great hero Admiral Lord Nelson said, "Never mind maneuvers, go right at them!" This is a near-quote and it comes from the naval battles of great warships powered by sails trying to get the advantage of one other, for cannon fire from a distance, and then for crashing together and boarding and fighting hand-to-hand until one side cried Surrender! Just thought of it while thinking of Mark Gottfried's mindset. Good for him! I say. Ref: the Aubrey/Maturin novels by Patrick O'Brien.
ab3623.
Sun, 05/08/2011 - 18:10 — bluecat69bluecat69this is a sports blog, not the history channel, get off and dont come back, ok, go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Nice.
Wed, 05/04/2011 - 15:55 — willncsu34I like him already. Dont want to end up like VT.