WBD No. 14

Davidson, ECU, Etc.

December, 22, 2008 , by Vince

Davidson

Let’s get one thing straight: Just because you got all these new fans watching you does not give you, Max Paulhus Gosselin, the right to straight up clothesline someone who was attempting a simple lay-up. Come on, you got Curry, so was that necessary? Guess I was right about some foul trouble for Davidson folks. And then you sat down, thinking you could watch the game, Max? Tisk tisk, my friend. Thank you, Jamie Luckie.

Ferguson’s a tough cookie, I’ll give him that. He also came correct with a 3-pointer that tied the game at 62 late in the second half. Costner and McCauley were the only players to have good games, sans the turnover factor. Honestly, if Fells wasn’t having that shoulder (and/or ankle) trouble and the Pack could control their turnovers (are you there Javi? Its us, the fans) then State could’ve narrowly escaped with a W as well. We were off to such a good start, too. N.C. State had a 16-7 lead in the first half. Dang! I’m worried about Fells, too. The Pack are going to need him. And Degand wasn’t so hot. 4 minutes? Must not of had the good time he was hoping for. And what about Tracy Smith? He’s been doing good, where was he at? Mays, Horner, Williams: Thanks guys. I know you did your best. But 23.5% 3 point shooting and 37% overall…Ya’ll need some work. Maybe you should not have taken Monday off.

Curry almost dropped half a C-note on the Pack. Big deal. He did the same thing to Oklahoma and lost by 4. We lost by 5. I’m not that upset about it, really. Yes, Curry is unbelievable. But Wildcat fans, please believe it when I say that this Davidson team are not darlings anymore. They are not Cinderellas. Curry is definitely not that holier-than-thou “I can’t believe they told him he was too small to play ball” pity party that people made him out to be last season. “But he’s amazing!” “It’s bizarre that Loyola held him scoreless!” “He’s got the magic touch!” Yeah, I wish Curry would do something magical and disappear from the college game. And if I sound like I’m hatin’, well, so be it. Maybe it’ll light up the comment section. When Davidson loses, I’ll feel just about as good as fans of Michigan felt when their boys got their revenge on Duke. (Thanks Purdue)

I can’t believe you lost during Jimmy V week, Wolfpack! Horsefeathers! But then, I have to admit, there was a small part of me that knew that Davidson would not want to be embarassed in front of all their newfound fans, in Carolina Junior arena, especially with King James watching. I wonder why his teammate, JJ Hickson wasn’t there. Was he chilling with the Pack? No. Oh yeah, that’s right. Nevermind. On with the show.

NC State is (4-1)

Winston-Salem State

Degand’s out for disciplinary reasons. Fells is out for an ankle injury that was more severe than anticipated. Smith has a knee issue. Costner suffered a gash above his right eye… Wow. More Christmas time injuies. What’s with that? And apparently, Coach Lowe pick up some new dudes: Kaycee Obi-Gwacham and Enrico Kufuor. Neither of them had an impact, as they were brought on 2 minutes before the game was over. Hmm….sounds like someone emptied the bench.

Trevor Ferguson had a good game: 3 assists, 12 points. But when speaking of the “unselfishness” of the team effort he said “It’s going to take us a long way this year.” Is it, “Gavin”? I hope so. McCauley led the way with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. After the game, he commented on having the deep bench and being able to work out the kinks of the team, now that State has some options. He also lamented on the tough games ahead: “East Carolina, Marquette and Florida. These games are good to develop the young guys, to get some rhythm and some chemistry.” I wouldn’t think that ECU would be in the same class as Marquette or Florida, but who is to say. At least he’s taking the next game seriously. Never underestimate your opponent, gentlemen.

The Pack walked out of the Old Barn with a W, 74-46. That 28 point margin is the largest of Coach Lowe’s tenure so far. But its the third 20+ point margin of victory over opponents this season, which is very interesting. Much better than where the team was a year ago, that’s for sure. But the injuries… I petition that whomever put this “Christmastime Curse” on The Pack remove it. Please.

NC State is (5-1)

East Carolina

I remember the stink people were making about this game last year. Coach Lowe was less than pleased to play in Greenville. Time Warner decided to take a crack at covering the game. Some of the worst audio and video feed in the history of local sports broadcasting. (And that’s not an opinion isolated to me….oh no no no) Oh, and State lost by 6 points. WTF.

Andy Katz of ESPN put State on upset alert against ECU: Hinnant, Legan, Morrow….its a pretty solid team, I’ll give them that. But Costners’ 24 points and 17 rebounds (best of the season so far), McCauley’s and Smiths’ double figures and the rest of the team’s contribution would not let the Pirates embarrass the Pack again. When Javi put up at that shot at the end of the first half, you couldn’t imagine a more complacent look on my face. But when I saw that shot go in, the RBC Center erupted. The reaction was pretty much similar to the results of the Syracuse/Cleveland State game. It also gave the Pack the lead, which I think was the little push of momentum that was needed. I have to admit, I was a little worried about this game and how this team would handle themselves. Now, I feel a little more confident. Fouling out three ECU players; that was nice. I think that’s going to be a key thing for the Pack this season. The Pirates definitely tried to stage a comeback, but the Pack took control. Basically, it was like the Davidson game, but the Pack would not let them pass.

Its a shame that Courtney Fells was on the sidelines with an ankle injury, but Costner definitely made up for it. Now if the Pack can make up for last season, well, that would be swell. State got revenge on two of the teams that handed them losses last year, and by almost double the points. Let’s hope they can keep that going.

NC State is (6-1)

Lipscomb

Courtney Fells returned, but only for a little bit. Javi sat on the sidelines in his street duds. Apparently, he knocked some teeth out of ECU’s Brock Young. Young lost two teeth, and Gonzales came away with a deep gash in his arm. Careful with those elbows, boss. Julius Mays started in Javi’s place. 9 points, 7 assists, 0 turnovers….cool deal Mays. Ferguson hitting 50% of his three’s also came in handy. And thanks to Biologics, I had probably the best seats I’ve ever had in the RBC. And with the 78-58 win, The Wolfpack get their 4th 20 or more point victory of the season.

NC State is (7-1)

Closing thoughts

So, I got rid the “King Diamond” award, but I would’ve given it to Javi for that half court 3-pointer. What cajonés. Watching Marquette against Tennessee gave me a glimpse of what’s to come. I think we can do it. It’ll be cool to see the ‘74 team in unison. All that height…damn, what a sight! After that, we have our final pre-conference test against Florida. And then, @ Clemson! They handed Miami their first conference loss by 19. Looking forward to that show, for real. Stay tuned for No. 15, covering Marquette, Loyola, Towson and Florida.

GO PACK! HAPPY HOLIDAYS! SEE YA NEXT YEAR!