With a name like Maverick Rowan — yes, that’s his name, and yes, he’s named after Tom Cruise’s character in “Top Gun” — one would expect North Carolina State to look his way when things get tense. And that’s exactly what happened in the 12th-seeded Wolfpack’s 75-72 win over 13th-seeded Wake Forest on Tuesday in the first round of the ACC tournament at Verizon Center.
The Wolfpack will play fifth-seeded Duke on Wednesday afternoon in the second round.
Rowan, a freshman swingman, scored 11 of his 24 points over the final 5 minutes 12 seconds of the game, making three-pointers on three consecutive N.C. State possessions over a span of 1:26. Each one either broke a tie or gave the Wolfpack the lead. He also was fouled on his final three-point attempt, making 2 of 3 free throws to pad out N.C. State’s margin.
Advertisement
“The first time I ever watched him I said, ‘That guy’s got a pair of steel ones down there, he’s not afraid.’ He’s never been,” Wolfpack Coach Mark Gottfried said. “He gets it going like that, he’s confident.”
Rowan, the son of former St. John’s standout Ron Rowan, originally committed to Pittsburgh. But seeking tougher competition, his family moved from Western Pennsylvania to Florida. Rowan’s profile rose up the recruiting rankings accordingly, and he decided to spurn the Panthers and join the Wolfpack.
Gottfried was asked about the first time he laid eyes on Rowan:
“I remember it clearly like yesterday,” he said. “At the time he was committed to another school. I remember watching him in an event in Chicago. I kept looking over on the other court, kept asking Orlando [Early], my assistant, ‘Who is that?’ He kept saying, ‘That’s Maverick Rowan, but he’s committed.’ …
Advertisement
I said, ‘I want that guy right there.’ ”
Unlike his fictional namesake, Rowan was far from brash when asked after the game if he ever had had a run like he did late in the second half on Tuesday.
“Uh no, not that I can remember,” was all he had. “Cat did a great job finding me off the screens. … We pulled it out. Good team win for us.
Said Gottfried: “Certainly Maverick got that hot hand. We needed it, and he delivered it for us today.”
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7uK3SoaCnn6Sku7G70q1lnKedZLumw9JoqqmnoqnAcMPPaGlpaWZkfXR7j3Fmppmmmr%2Bqr8pmqaivkaN6qr%2BMraapZZequ26yzqtkp2WTYsC1rdOeZKKmXZawpHnTqKyrppGisq%2FAjKinnqaVp3w%3D