WolfPack BasketBall Diaries No. 7

Miami

Ah, it’s nice to not start 0-3 in the conference like we did last year.  And it looks like the third time against a ranked ACC team was the charm on Saturday night.  High, high up in section 309, I scanned the game in comfort of the RBC Center.  No, it wasn’t my fist that shot up in front of the camera (ahh, the quality of RSN).  I wish it was.  But it doesn’t matter.  There was another angle for all the home viewers out there.  However, I saw it in real time up above and freaked out.  I think I was trying to high-five my friends so much that it looked like we were having a slapping contest.  I was very enthused by this win.  It was my first home conference game.  What a first time, right?

“We knew they had no timeouts and we didn’t want them to get the ball inbounds fast,” Coach Lowe said.  “Gavin was able to make the read and steal the ball, and I give him credit for that.”

Everyone talks about Gavin Grant’s backcourt steal and lay-up with 2.1 seconds remaining in overtime.  It was huge.  Grant started to head back down court when he saw McClinton standing in the lane. Grant knew McClinton was a fast dude, so he had to guard him.  It was a choice senior moment.  Grant changed directions, stepped in front of McClinton, grabbed the ball and went right to the basket.  What a way to spoil someone’s birthday, Gavin.  However the effort as a TEAM was also great:  Hickson and Fells with 14 points, Costner with 16 and Grant with 24 points.  The Pack scored consistently with 36 points each half.  Again, this was another close one for the pack.  Our record on close games remains untouched, which is a plus.  Tournament games are usually close.  I’m just glad we could prove ourselves in an overtime situation and come out with a win, but who knows what would’ve happen if our lone senior wasn’t there to step up.  Maybe Double OT…..Maybe an L….well, no maybe’s here.  Gavin Happened.

Also, if you were at the game and found a Sony Powershot 7.2 megapixel camera in a black leather case, please return it to me.  Its mine.  It’s got a lot of memories on it.  Just return the memory card if you can.  I had a sweet video from above of the last 10 seconds of OT.  HELP ME OUT HERE!  RBC Center Lost & Found has been no help at all.

NC State is (12-5, 1-2).

Georgia Tech

They are the worst team in the ACC, right?  This should’ve been easy for us, right?  Wait, they only lost to Carolina by one!?  Hmm….This should be interesting.

Okay, now before you go blaming Javi for an airball, think about this:  Imagine if you were 18 years old and playing basketball in front of, oh, about 10,000 people (not to mention who was watching it on TV)…  and imagine that the majority of those people are yelling at you to get the ball up the court.  Now, you’re taking your time because that’s how the coach instructed you;  That’s how you’ve worked it out in practice.  Well, maybe Javi cracked under pressure, but I don’t blame him.  He didn’t have a tight grip on the ball.  How are you gonna get a good grip when the play you’re trying to call isn’t working and you got 10,000 people screaming at you, “TAKE IT, TAKE IT, SHOOT THE F%#KING BALL!!!”?  Yes, I know that he was wide open.  He may have looked sloopy in those 5 seconds, but he played a solid game.  Now I know most State fans are all about those W’s.  Well, crying will not get you W’s.  Learning from your mistakes will.  So, we’ll leave it that, shall we?  Or maybe GT’s win is due to the karmatic* implications of this.  Who knows.

I caught the highlights on Sportscenter.  We made the top 10!  McCauley’s no-look, behind-the-back pass followed by the dunk by Fells was pretty tight. Grant it, it was at number 10, but I’ll take it.  However, GT made the #1 spot.  Good for them.  I think Tech’s win was due to experience, even though “guard play” is apparently an issue for both teams.  Causey is a senior.  Javi is just a freshman.  Coach Lowe said of Gonzalez:

“He’s going to continue to get more confidence and he ran our show pretty good. I’m pleased with his progress right now and he’s going to continue to get better.”

Remember, Georgia Tech started their conference play with a (0-3) record.  They’ve played one more conference game than we have.  So, don’t sweat it, fans.  I know being pissed about is only going to hinder your ability to celebrate later on.  We may have lost last night, but at least it was down to the wire.  I know we could’ve done without those turnovers.  That itself would’ve probably saved the game for us.  And Grant getting fouled out at the end of the game did not bode well at all.  I will say that, despite the Ramblin’ Wrecks win, my theory about NC State is confirmed:  They are playing better together as the season is progressing.  Despite the loss, I was not upset.  Something inside is trying to tell me something, but I can’t figure it out.  I don’t feel nervous.  I feel optimistic.  I have all confidence that they will keep getting better and be ready for the ACC Tournament.  We have two road games ahead of us and they will be good tests.

Saturday, 1:30pm - Watch it!

* karmatic (adj.) - having qualities of karma. 

NC State is (12-6, 1-3)

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