NC State’s season could depend on Martin twins

While N.C. State has plenty of holes to fill this season, as many as in any of the five years under Mark Gottfried, the Wolfpack may have more certainties than ever before. That may leave N.C. State’s season depending on what Caleb and Cody Martin can deliver.

You know Cat Barber is going to be a slashing, scoring point guard, potentially one of the best offensive players in the ACC if he dials in his 3-point shot. You know Abdul-Malik Abu is going to be a consistent post scorer. You know BeeJay Anya is going to be a defensive force in the post.

What could determine the degree of the Wolfpack’s success is what the 6-foot-7 Martin twins can achieve. They came in as highly touted recruits, Caleb slightly more than Cody, and they were useful but limited role players as freshmen on a team that didn’t really offer many open spots in the lineup.

All that’s going to change this season, with playing time available on the wing and no clear backup to Barber at point guard. Caleb should end up starting on the wing alongside transfer Terry Henderson, although freshman Maverick Rowan will get a look. Cody will be given a chance to earn minutes on the wing, behind Barber and in the post.

The Wolfpack has some rock-solid certainties to build upon, but N.C. State’s ceiling will be set by how much the Martin twins can contribute.

This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 6:02 PM with the headline "NC State’s season could depend on Martin twins."