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RALEIGH CLARIFICATION: When Wood was introduced, Trevor Ferguson's name and number -- but not his picture -- flashed on the scoreboard.
When freshman Scott Wood was introduced as part of N.C. State's starting lineup Thursday night, a picture of Trevor Ferguson - last season's No. 15 - was accidentally flashed on the big screen.
Bet that mix-up won't happen again.
Wood, a 6-foot-7 wing from Indiana, scored 12 points during the Wolfpack's 84-42 exhibition victory against St. Paul's. His 4-for-4 shooting - along with DeShawn Painter's eight points and six rebounds, Josh Davis' three points and three rebounds and Jordan Vandenberg's six points and five rebounds - gave the fans at Reynolds Coliseum an early glance at what they can hope for out of the rookie class when N.C. State opens the regular season next Thursday.
N.C. State's other freshman, Richard Howell, continues to rehabilitate from October knee surgery.
"Our freshmen are going to be pretty good," said sophomore forward Tracy Smith, who was taller than every Tiger on the court and used his 6-8 height advantage to score 21 points.
"Scott Woods is an unbelievable shooter; DeShawn Painter has a good presence inside; Jordan's very good on defense, we're still going to work on his offense."
Offense, it seems, comes naturally to Woods. His shooting stroke has been compared to former Duke star J.J. Redick's, and he showed it off early. His 3-pointer with 18:16 left in the first quarter made it 6-0, then his back-to-back 3s about four minutes later gave the Wolfpack a 18-2 advantage.
"I think the main thing was coming down and hitting my first shot," Wood said. "That gave me a little bit of confidence, and I didn't have to really worry about it as much."
Coach Sidney Lowe said Wood's shooting performance proved what he's been saying: "That he's capable of doing that. It's such a big boost when you get a guy who can knock down a couple consecutive shots like that, and give you a nice little lead.
"That's what he's been doing, and it's impressive for him to come out his first game, in front of a crowd here, and shoot the way he did."
Lowe, though, said Wood hasn't earned a starting job - yet.
"We've got some very interesting situations. Obviously, we're young, so guys are battling for positions. Josh Davis has been great in practice, and so has Scott. I gave Scott the nod tonight, but we've got that going on through - Javi (Gonzalez) and Julius (Mays) are battling in there (for point guard) - and I'm just glad that I have two of them. ... But Scott's played well."
Well enough that he likely will have his picture flashed on the scoreboard, instead of the former No. 15's, if and when he starts again.
WAKE FOREST 88, INDIANA (PA.) 57: Al-Farouq Aminu had 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to help the host Deacons roll in their only exhibition. Wake Forest shot 54 percent from the field and held the Crimson Hawks to 35percent shooting.
The Deacons started a big lineup, with Ish Smith, L.D. Williams, Aminu, David Weaver and Tony Woods getting the call. Woods put in a solid effort shooting 4-of-5 from the field for nine points.
SOUTH CAROLINA 78, KENTUCKY WESLEYAN 55: Sam Muldrow scored 17 and four teammates also hit double figures to help the host Gamecocks beat the NCAA Division II Panthers for a second straight season. South Carolina won last season's exhibition 75-55 score.
WOMEN
DUKE 99, WINGATE 31: Jasmine Thomas scored 17, freshman Allison Vernerey had 16 and former South Mecklenburg star Joy Cheek pulled down 13 rebounds as Duke ran away from Wingate in an exhibition at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Six Blue Devils scored in double-figures, with Cheek, Krystal Thomas, Karima Christmas and Kathleen Scheer adding 12 points each.
NORTH CAROLINA 105, FRANCIS MARION 64: North Carolina used a 21-0 run midway through the first half to break open a close game and the Tar Heels cruised to an exhibition win at home.
Leading 23-14,North Carolina scored 21 consecutive points to go up 44-14 en route to a 54-21 halftime advantage.
Francis Marion was facing former Patriots coach Sylvia Hatchell, who during her 11 seasons in Florence guided the Patriots to two national championships.
ELSEWHERE
CINCINNATI: The NCAA cleared freshman Lance Stephenson to play without having to miss any games. Questions about whether Stephenson, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound forward, would be eligible surfaced because of his involvement in a documentary. He was a high school star in Brooklyn, but his off-the-court issues made many schools back away.
EASTERN ILLINOIS: Jackie Moore, 28, an assistant women's coach, died Wednesday night at a hospital after collapsing as she started a workout. School spokesman Rich Moser says doctors said Moore's heart "just stopped." Moser says an autopsy is planned.
INDIANA: Freshman Bawa Muniru has been cleared by the NCAA to play. The Hoosiers had been waiting for the NCAA's eligibility center to make its ruling on Muniru, a 6-11, 260-pound center from Tumu, Ghana. He played high school ball the past two seasons in the U.S. The decision takes immediate effect.
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