Wolfpack Basketball Diaries No. 11

Virginia

After losing to Virginia, who stood to finish 12th in the ACC, The Wolfpack were probably not in the best mood.  I watched pick after pick after pick by Virginia.  With the game at 18-38 at halftime, I knew the Wolfpack would have their work cut out for them.  There was a time in the second half where it looked like State could do the impossible and come back from what seemed like an unsurmountable lead by Virginia.  But their senior point guard, Sean Singletary was having many choice senior moments.  He is one of the best scoring players of his class and possibly the ACC this year.  I remember the spanking UVA gave State last year at the RBC center.  I was hoping State might channel some energy from that loss and give the Cavs a taste of their own medicine.  I mean, UVA was 2-9 in conference play coming into this game.  After watching a few of their games during the season, I was almost positive that they would fall to NC State.  But, as shitty as they started, UVA finally figured out that they were tired of losing.  I should’ve figured that when they lost to UNC by 1 point.  But as always, my fact-ignoring optimism kicked into overdrive and I watched the game with as much intensity as State produced in the first half.  State actually outscored UVA (by 2 points) in the second half, but it was too late.  State started hot, leading 6-2 at one point.  I was happy, but that happiness turned to gloom…State could only finish 7-9 in ACC play now.  This survery from WRAL was more than enough to educate my optimism and change my attitude.

But I still voted YES.  Kicking and screaming, I’ll wait until the end.

NC State is (15-12, 4-9)

Florida State

After reading about the possible fleeing of one of the players that could make this team something special, I was already having wary thoughts on this upcoming game.  I’ll admit it.  I thought about giving up my ticket and watching the game at Players Retreat.  At least I wouldn’t have that long walk back to the free parking lot.  But after reading this article, I decided to at least keep the ticket and see what, if anything, I might witness, thanks to the following words of optimism from Coach Lowe:

“If they’re going to watch me and read me, then I can’t hang my head about the last ballgame,” Lowe said. “I need to let them know that we’ve got another game coming up and let’s get ready for that game. The last game is done and now we have to move on. If I’m going to be the leader, I can’t come in with my head down. I’ve got to come in with a positive attitude and focus on those things that we didn’t do well in the last ballgame. It’s not forgotten, but we’re not going to dwell on it.”

Well, that’s about as optimistic as it gets, folks.  The Wolfpack haven’t had a streak this bad since 1999-2000 season. But then again, we beat Florida State twice that year, but we lost to Wake Forest in the NIT Final Four (Wake Forest won the NIT, we took 4th place).

NC State’s starters blew this game for us.  The Pack missed several easy shots in the opening minutes which led them to slight self-loathing, which allowed Florida State to jump on their self-pity and score some points.  I don’t think that a good team would not allow a few missed shots to take away any intensity they should have.  Now the argument about “mental toughness” comes to mind.  I guess one could assume that we’re not that good as far that as that argument goes.  And guess what…...it’s true!  Feeling sorry for yourself is not going to help you get things done.  He said that college basketball is a guards game and that Florida State took advantage of us.  Why not?  Opportunity is for those who take it.  Florida States guards played better than ours.  Gonzalez has improved, but coaches are also reading up on his improvements and therefore looking for a way, and successfully teaching, how to neutralize Javi.  Johnson, from what I’ve witnessed, doesn’t seem to attack the game, which can make you “limited” (that’s just a nice way of saying I don’t think he’s very good).  Johnson was playing for Tennessee, but was not getting the minutes he wanted.  So he transferred here and now we know why.  Johnson was insistent on playing point guard rather than a wing guard, which his coaches felt was his natural position.  That makes me wonder if the Pack coaching staff may have a mutiny on their hands, because of the attitude and conviction of players like Johnson, who want to do things their way and not listen to those with reason and more experience.  We all want things in life and sometimes opportunity presents itself for you to seize your chance.  When the opportunity doesn’t come, what do you do?  Well, if you don’t have another option, you end up losing.  Trevor Ferguson had a career-high 17pts, which shows a lot of promise for the young player.

Now, if only Fells, Grant, Hickson, Costner, McCauley, Ferguson, Smith and Gonzalez can put their best games together, then hey, something might happen.  Something good for a change.  Mmm…but our next opponent is Duke at Noon.  Oh boy.  Tony Haynes said that Coach Lowe has already started having those kind of meetings with players where you discuss your weaknesses and figure out how to improve on them or possibly figure out another way for players to effectively contribute.  Hey, I’ve heard about interviewing for your job, but I’ve never heard of interviewing for your scholarship.

NC State is (15-13, 4-10)

Duke

Who was looking forward to this rematch?  Who knew that this outcome would’ve happened?  Could NC State wake up after 6 losses?  I stumbled upon another survey from WRAL.com’s Sports section asking fans whether or not NC State will make it to the NIT.  Of course I voted YES.

I know we lost this one, but this is a team that looks even better than the one that put up 10 on VT.  Now, I know we’re on the bottom of the standings.  I know that doesn’t feel good.  But a team like this can easily take anything they want.  Javi had his best game of the season so far.  18 points!  He was too much to handle for Paulus.  Coach K had to put DeMarcus Nelson (probably Duke’s best defender) on him because Paulus wasn’t doing his job.  That says A LOT, espcially for a team “plagued” with point guard issues.  The team as a whole performed well with its 54% shooting from the field, 52% from 3-point range and rebounding over Duke.  However it was a few late errors that cost them the game.  Particularly, when they let Duke get those last two three’s, which eventually led to Duke’s victory.  As long as Coach K is at Duke, never let them get those 3’s.

It was a quiet Senior Day for Gavin Grant, who fouled out of the game with 9 points.  When State played Duke in Cameron this year, Gavin got 26.  I wonder where the 15 point difference went.  I guess it balances out.  McCauley was playing like he was a senior….makes one think about what will happen when its his Senior Day.  Coach K got his 800 the hardest way possble.  However, we still got one more game at Wake Forest.  I have a good feeling about that one, even after today…and even with an RPI of 83.  But according to ESPN analyst Pat Forde:

Bust of the Year: North Carolina State. A team expected to chase Duke and Carolina for the ACC title is now on a seven-game losing streak and struggling to stay out of the ACC basement. The home loss to the Blue Devils Saturday was capped by coach Sidney Lowe’s curious decision not to foul while trailing by a point in the final minute; he let Duke run the shot clock to nothing and the game clock to about five seconds. Even with the rebound, State had no chance to get off a decent shot and blew an 13-point second-half lead.

Hey, Pat Forde.  NC State tried to call a timeout with 2.4 seconds left.  If all you need is 0.8 for a catch-and-shoot, why not let the other team run the clock down?  Coach Lowe tried to call the timeout and the ref wouldn’t give it to him, so ____ you.

NC State is (15-14, 4-11)

Wake Forest

Well, Jeff Teague needs to be watched.  I could only look at the 30 second-refresh play-by-play.  It was obvious.  Oh well.  Let’s have a Les Robinson throwback party, people!

So according to my (ahem) “calculations”, this year’s NCAA basketball champs’ breakfest may consist of Miami, VT, UNC and Duke.  In my dreams, right?

NC State is (15-15, 4-12, 11th in the conference, with an RPI of 91)  Here we go.

(Reader’s note:  If State loses Miami on Thursday, I will not be reflecting on that game.  This may be the last WBD until [possibly] next season.)