WolfPack BasketBall Diaries No. 5

Presbyterian

I heard from people that went to the game on 01/05/08. I heard things on the radio. Things looked pretty ugly. I had things keeping me from the radio and score update. I lived in slight anxiety. Then I was relieved to hear that State won. That’s great, but the thing is this: State has got to get their act together. They are at the crossroads. You’ve got two of the toughest teams in the ACC this year, back to back, away from home. You were down 17-20 against a first year Division IA school with a record of 1-17. I remember weeks ago when I read this article about “not pushing the panic button.“ Pardon my French, but somebody’s finger must be slipping and pushing the “what-the-f@#!“ button. Bells are ringing. How can you be expected to finish third in the ACC when you can’t get it together outside the conference? Is there something I’m not getting?

Who knows. Maybe Coach Lowe has got something up his sleeve for his Alma Matter. I mean, ACC play is something to see. It has always been consistent with surprises and accomplishments. Maybe there is nothing to fear and nothing to doubt. That might explain Gavin Grant’s sarcastic remarks to the press after their “victory”. Hey, maybe winning by narrow margins is just a way to play head games with everyone so that by 2pm on January 12th NCSU will have everyone freaking out. Maybe NC State’s execution of play for conference games will be something that is mind-blowing with positive reinforcement for our beloved Pack. Maybe it’ll be like kids building sandcastles who turn around to see a bulldozer charging towards their dreams. Maybe we won’t lose another game during the regular season. Hell, I’ll even go out on the thinnest of limbs and say the fourth game we’ll lose (since 4 is Grant’s Guarantee) is in the National Championship game, against, oh, let’s say….Ole Miss. But even then it will be so close, you know, because that is how State likes to play.

Whatever. I’m tired of the fantasy now. The thing about fairy tales is that they don’t tend to have many sequels. Think about that for a second. So what fairytale do we adopt now, Beauty & the Beast?  Yes.  It would be nice to have some other team lift the curse (NCAA violations, tons of injuries) from us that has apparently plagued our team ever since that Cinderella finish.

But don’t let my current and negative approach to this entry demean my love for this team, this program and what it is capable of. I didn’t mind the New Orleans loss so much because it gave the Pack the momentum it needed to take the Old Spice Classic. The ECU loss… ECU has some good players and ECU wanted it more. Oh and don’t forget that they had Clemson to play with beforehand. And we won’t forget Michigan State. Hey, I already addressed this subject before.

We got one more before we set sail.

NC State is (10-3).

North Carolina Central

We’ve fought the South (Gamecocks), the East (Pirates) and the West (Catamounts). Before we head North (UNC), State must reckon with the middle, the Central (Eagles) of this cross. We’ve gone in every direction but up so far. Going to the middle helps you reevaluate everywhere you’ve been. At this point in the season, reevaluation should be pretty mandatory.

Reading one of the latest scribes from Go Pack.com has come up some interesting stats. Our shooting after January 5th was marked somewhere at 47%. However, State made more free throws (258) than its opponents (144). So far this season, State has made about 70% more of its free throws over the competition. So maybe these numbers would impact thoughts about how State should be working inside. It worked against Cincinnati. The result? 85 points, State’s highest number of points scored this season.

State’s victory over NC Central was essential. And keeping your opponent to 20% shooting isn’t bad, either. That’s some solid defense and defense is what is going be key in the next couple of months.  However with Degand out for the season and Horner and Fells’ condition questionable, the wonder of a negative “what if” still plagues the thoughts of the Pack faithful.

Consider what is ahead:  A rematch from last year’s ACC championship game.  When asked about the upcoming game, Coster replied:

“I feel like we have enough talent and enough experience to come away with a win.  I think we have played enough teams that trap and press and are fast like they are. We are going to come in and work on a few things in practice and get ready to go over there.“

photo from AP

Edmund of East Anglia (Patron saint of wolves), I’ll be speaking with you.

NC State is (11-3).