WolfPack Basketball Diaries No. 6

UNC

There’s not much to say.  I think we all know what happened, how much it sucks and how we as fans and NC State as a team need to move on.  It was embarrassing.  I was pretty bummed the rest of the day.  Sunday was okay.  Monday, I had to deal with the Carolina fans I work with.  They walk by, make their smart-ass remarks and trot off in their sweaters, t-shirts or hats bearing that “blue” bane of NC State.  Ouch.  I haven’t felt this bad since I had to wait on the operating room table for three hours with a 3-inch open cut on my chin.  The second half was a good effort, but it would not result in a comeback to cut UNC’s lead to only 10 or so.  I think this photo taken by Gerry Broome of the AP says it all:

The first five minutes of the game looked promising for NC State.  State was up, then kept the game a back-n-forth affair. Then the game was tied at 9-9.  Lawson was on the bench getting that ankle checked out and me and my crew of Pack loyalist were cheering, laughing with the joy of knowing (for the moment at least) this wasn’t going to be some mega-ass-whuppin’ ala Michigan State.

But then, bye-bye goes the tie and State would only score 4 more points in the half.  Yikes.  State was able to score 49 points in the second half.  By my math, if State had played consistent with the second half, we would’ve won the game 98-93 and that would’ve been excellent.  And unlikely, as State has not shown the public that it is capable of scoring that many points in a game this season.  It also seems apparent (if it wasn’t before) that State is NOT gelling well as a team and that’s just not cool.  I can’t imagine the fire that Lowe lit under their ass in the second half.  I just hope Lowe lights a brighter, hotter fire for the next trip.  Better get those Away jerseys in the wash, boys… You got a date with some Tigers.  Grant, thanks for fulfilling your guarantee.  Now I can calmly know that you will either stay true to your word or be another New Yorker who likes to make bold statements.

I remember what Jimmy V said about a full day consisting of laughter, thought and prayer.  It was a full day in that respect, although I would’ve wanted to have more of the first than the latter two.  Saturday showed how hard it is to be a State fan sometimes.  Another difficult part of this loss is how every press outlet has basically given up on NC State.  Sport commentators from WRAL have been quoted saying that State was “garbage” and “horrible”.  Yes, we saw that, Sherlock.  Sometimes things can be understood without having to be said.  Way to stick up for a hometown team, jerks!

NC State is (11-4, 0-1)

Clemson

If you’re an avid reader of the WBD, you’ll know that I was sort-of assaulted on the first official entry’s comment field by a reader named Jared.  No, not the guy from the Subway commercials (but may be just as appealing).  Jared facilitates this blog about the Clemson Tigers.  He gave me shit because I poked fun at the fact that his team a) stumbled after having at 17-0 record last season AND b) lost in the NIT Final to a team that couldn’t spell their name correctly on their shirts.  But that is all in past.  The hatchet is buried.  This game would be a new ax.  While poking fun at the “blazer”, he mentions that State is a good team, so we’re even, I guess…  He also states that “Tonight’s game is (the) most important game of the season.“  Maybe for the Tigers.  However, the most important game for State’s season (or any team in our situation) is the one that determines what we do after the ACC Tournament.  So I guess its not a big deal that we lost, right?!

Well, Jared, it must be easy being a Clemson fan today. Good for you.

The game starts and almost looks promising.  But then that first half curse that has seemed to plague NC State was in full effect and the Tigers took advantage of it.  Clemson has three point shooters everywhere and a dude with a broken hand leading the team as if he has three hands.  It is amazing.  No wonder a team that gave Carolina a run for its money would beat State, especially when State can’t get it together.  In the last three minutes of the game, State looked like the team they should’ve been throughout the game.  I just don’t know.  What’s the plan for Miami, guys?  They lost last night and are ready to win again, I’m sure.  They’re ranked.  So, at least you guys will get another crack at a ranked team.  And its at home, so maybe that will help.  I’ll be there, Section 309.

And Ben McCauley?  Another injury?  Seriously?!  We are cursed!  Ridiculous!  And if that wasn’t enough…The plane that was supposed to take them back didn’t show up and they had to take the bus.  Wow, even the gods of transportation are against the Pack.

It seems like these are bad times, but I support my Pack through and through.  I guess it’ll be rewarding than most when NC State turns on its lights and leaves them on.  But forget the nay-saying and shit-talking that is sure to erupt for various points, Pack fans.  You are needed now more than ever….with the exception of a Point Guard.  We need one of those BADLY.

NC State is (11-5, 0-2)