Marquette

I was excited about this game. However, I had to put some things I had read about this team in the back of my head. And even though they lost to Tennessee by 18, I knew they wouldn’t just limp into the RBC Center.

ESPN Analyst Jay Bilas said of the Pack: “If all things break their way they can beat a lot of teams. They’re good enough, and they’ve got good players up front. As these kids learn how to handle the ball screen offense that Sidney runs, I’ve think they’ve got a chance to be good. Are they going to be great? Not this year, I don’t think. But I think they’re going to make significant strides going forward.”

The Wolfpack held strong, leading most of the game, but it was not to be. The Pack fell to the Golden Eagles 68-65. Its the second loss of the season, coincidentally, to a ranked opponent. But even though they lost, I’m sure this Christmas will find them watching the tapes and not unwrapping the presents. Well, If I had been playing, that’s what I’d be doing. I mean, I know its not easy out there. I think they’re trying very hard. I don’t feel its the best, though. And what’s coming up? Three games in one week. Stamina is gonna be tested.

Brandon Costner had another good night with 24 points, 4 assists and 2 steals. In a postgame interview, Costner said that “I definitely think that this team is for real, I’ve been saying that all year. I feel like we fought hard, but we didn’t play smart.” Well, that’s the first step right there - admit that you didn’t play smart towards the end. You never gave up, per say, which is why you only lost by 3 points. Fells had a good night with 12 points and Smith with his 10 points in his 12 minutes of play. McCauley was quiet - 8 points and 4 rebounds. What gives? 18 turnovers? Yikes. Javi, Julius, Trevor…..come on guys. Ya’ll had almost half of them yourselves! Is that what you would call guard play?

I guess no one wanted to lift the Christmastime Curse - Trevor Ferguson suffered a fractured bone in his left hand and will miss three to six weeks. So, January is looking to be a hassle. Great. Well, at least we can expect turnover number to be lower….possibly.

(NC State is 7-2)

Loyola-MD

Remember, this is the team that held Stephen Curry scoreless. They still lost by 30, but that’s just small potatoes. Their coach, Jimmy Patsos, was an assistant under Gary Williams, the tyrant of the Terps, when they won it all in 2002. So, he’s probably adopted that scrappy and probably not-so-likeable persona. The Greyhounds coach was hit with a technical foul while arguing for a foul. Well, maybe the apple isn’t falling far from the coaching tree. It was this technical foul and the shots from it that gave the Pack a 16 point lead. But the Greyhounds kept nipping at the heels, much like Williams would’ve wanted a team to. He must be so proud.

Even though the end of the game was similar to Marquette, the outcome was different in the Pack’s favor. Another W. Sweet. McCauley got the stop at the end and Fells got the rebound. Excellent defense, fellas. Reid & Ficke fouled out of the game. Foul trouble for the opponent is what is going to help the Pack in the future. That, and lack of turnovers. The trio of experience (Fells, McCauley, Costner) finished in double figures. Tracy Smith was pretty quiet with 6. I was hoping that it was only a fluke, because Tracy Smith is going to be a big deal as the season progresses. I think (and would be proved right two days later.)

A notable quotable from Coach Lowe:
“We learned an expensive lesson inexpensively. We learned that when you get up on a ball club, you have to continue to play the same way, continue to run the offense and run the defense the same way and start trying to do other things. We relaxed a little bit and allowed them to get back in the ball game. I am thankful we were able to get out with a W.”

Yeah? So you mean to tell me that the standard practice is to lag off when you get a cushion? Do you think any other teams in the ACC do that? Does Duke or Carolina? Hell no! I mean, you gotta stick it to ‘em, man. You got to send that message of no mercy and “no dice” if mercy is asked for. No one’s going to be nice to you, especially if you’re NC State. I mean, the way these non-conference opponents play State, its like they think the Pack is easily beatable. Is that the message you want to send to your conference opponents? I certainly hope not. And please, watch the turnovers.

(NC State is 8-2)

Towson

“It feels good. I never scored 30 in a college game.” - Tracy Smith

It sure does feel good, Tracy. Please excuse my colorful language, but you we’re the shit. 31 points? That’s so awesome! Dude, I’ve been telling all my basketball buddies to watch out for you, you’re gonna be good. You were better than your 14 against Duke last year or against UNC-G this season. You had 19 points in the first half alone. Where did you come from Tracy? Where have you been? I petition that you finished your college career. You’ll make a great senior. If you keep this kind of play up, you might have a chance to have 23 hang next to 44 hanging high in the RBC. How does that sound?

Okay, that sounds stupidly optimistic, but seeing that performance on New Year’s Eve really felt awesome, especially after the awful start the Pack had. State was down 11 points in the first half and then Smith stepped in, erased the deficit and scored 12 consecutive points. He was perfect from the free throw line. It was the bee knees.

If the King Diamond award was still in effect (I guess it is since I’m still using the reference), it would go to the NCSU students who didn’t attend the Loyola and Towson games. It was because of the poor student attendance that I was able to sit in the front row, right behind the bench for those two games. Best seats ever. I’m sure I won’t be so lucky once school starts back, but thank you, thank you, students of NCSU. The students who were there didn’t seem fond of older dudes in their seats, though. Some of the “upgraded” screamed and heckled like they snuck some airplane bottles in. Don’t worry. You’ll be surrounded by your fellow students come January 13th. I promise.

(NC State is 9-2)

Florida

I had a dream the night before this game. I dreamt that I was in front of the RBC Center. There was water surrounding it. I battled with an alligator. My only weapon was the backboard of a basketball goal. I kept crashing the board on its head. Then I woke up.

Ahh, the tussle and the hustle. “More Bounce to the Ounce!!,” cried Florida Coach Billy Donovan as his team narrowly escaped with a W. Yes, I say narrowly, because if you watched the game this past Saturday, you knew State was out playing those guys. But the winner of the Billy Donovan look-a-like contest, Nick Calathes, scored 32 points to Tebow his team to victory. “Channel the Tim” the bench chanted as State led 66-65 with 27 seconds to go. Ahh, horsefeathers! The only positive I can say is that, as a team, State looks is as ready as they’re going to be for ACC play. Also, in the 3 L’s they have, the sum of the point difference for those L’s is only 10 and not some NASA produced numerical figure. So, maybe now the Pack will learn to finish those close games, those games that would’ve been so important for a NCAA resumé.

I would like to address the members of 2008-2009 NC State Men’s Basketball Team: You are about to enter ACC play. You need to realize that these games are more important than Davidson, Marquette and Florida. These are conference games. You should treat them with more enthusiam and show better effort, because you have shown that you can win. You almost let Loyola get the better of you, but you hung in there. You let those others get to you, but all that is over now. It is what it is. Now, when you go down to South Carolina and face another group of tigers - win! I don’t care if its by 1 or 20 - just win! Finish what you started 2 years ago, what you wanted to do last year. Give the fans something good. Make all of us fans out there stop saying “Its hard to be a State fan” because we’d rather be saying “How about that Pack!” I’ll always be a fan, but sometimes I wouldn’t mind a reminder as to “why”.