Observations

OBSERVATIONS

With the win over Auburn, N.C. State took the Glenn Wilkes Classic title as the only one of the 10 teams with a 4-0 record. A loss would have put N.C. State, Auburn, IUPUI and Central Florida in a four-way tie for the championship at 3-1. Rhode Island won in 2007 and Utah in 2008. Tracy Smith was voted the tournament's outstanding player, and Dennis Horner made the all-tournament team.

N.C. State's thin bench took a hit with 71/2 minutes to play when sophomore guard C.J. Williams landed awkwardly on his right ankle. The Pack already was missing forward Richard Howell (knee) and guard Farnold Degand (suspension). Coach Sidney Lowe wasn't worried, saying, "The way he's jumping around in [the locker room], he seems to be OK."

Auburn freshman Earnest Ross, who played at Panther Creek High School last season, had only two points for the Tigers, but they nearly won the game. Ross' baseline drive with a minute to go gave Auburn a 56-54 lead.