Wolfpack's Richard Howell making big strides

N.C. State junior forward Richard Howell lost 25 pounds in the offseason and found his game. Howell always played with a high basketball IQ but didn't always have the physical means, or stamina, to maximize his potential.

Howell is still undersized — he's listed at 6-8 but is really about three inches shorter — but he's made up for his lack of height with effort. He was all over the court on Thursday in the Wolfpack's 76-62 victory over Boston College, finishing with 11 points, 16 rebounds and three steals. (I actually think he was short-changed by the official scorer in the latter category as State produced a season-best 16 steals.)

"He set the tone for us with his defense," Scott Wood said.

Howell was key in the game-turning 15-0 run after BC tied the score at 21 with 8:44 left in the first half. BC coach Steve Donahue applauded Howell's efforts after the game.

"He's a big, strong kid," Donahue said. "He's a load. He's a tough kid. He's a hard matchup for anyone, particularly us."


-- J.P. Giglio