WolfPack BasketBall Diaries:  Preview

Britt Daniel of Spoon once sang “Give me something to look forward to.“
I don’t think he was talking about basketball.
But if he lived in Raleigh, he might change his mind.

“Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”
-Jim Valvano

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Jim Valvano’s “Cardiac Pack” and their NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship title.  They got that nickname because of some very close games they played in the tournament, defeating Pepperdine and Virginia by 1 and UNLV and Houston by 2.  The team won 7 of its last 9 games after trailing with a minute left in the game.  A Cinderella story, indeed.

The ending of the final is one that sounds like it came out of a children’s storybook; Houston tied the game at 52.  Dereck Whittenburg’s high-arching airball from 30 feet out was followed by Lorenzo Charles dunk at the buzzer.  Wow.  The score was 54-52 and NC State became national champions for the 2nd time.  Charles’ dunk and Valvano’s running around while looking for someone to hug is seen every year when CBS’s coverage of “March Madness” begins.  Seeing that footage of Valvano running around pulls on the heartstrings of those who actually witnessed the event as it happened.  NC State’s victory has been considered the greatest upset in college basketball history.  One might take offense if their teams victory was considered “an upset”.  Just who does it upset?

Instead of being upset, fans were “up” last year when it was announced that Sidney Lowe would be NC State’s new head coach.  People got excited.  This guy was on the 83’ team.  He was the point guard.  He understands the rivalry of UNC and Duke.  He’s played and coached in the NBA.  Yes!  To a common fan, that’s more than enough info to get behind someone.  Last season, he did as a coach what fans wanted him to do; Beat Carolina and Beat Duke.  And he did it.  Not to mention a run for the ACC Title, plus some time in the NIT.  NC State lost in the NIT to West Virginia, who would go on to win it all over Clemson.

NC State has the same team, minus point-guard Engin Atsur, coming back.  Along with them, a highly-touted recruiting class, including the likes of J.J. Hickson (a McDonald’s All-American), Tracy Smith, Javi Gonzalez and Clayton Beard.  Coach Lowe and the NC State faithful are in high hopes.  At State’s annual basketball kickoff, “B-Ballin’ at the Old Barn,“ Coach Lowe addressed the crowd:  “Last year, we had some guys on this team that played their hearts out.  We have several of those guys coming back this year. Along with those coming back, we have some freshmen coming in that we are expecting great things from. As we said last year, we are going to go out and play as hard as we can and represent you as well as we can.  We have a little more depth this year. We are expecting to come out and play well and represent NC State.”  Any fans imagination might run wild with what this team could do.

New Raleigh will provide its unique perspective on the upcoming season.  This team is important to many people in this city, so its fitting to have them within our bevy of articles.  NR will bring first hand reports of the eight home conference games.  While the first Home Conference match-up with Miami isn’t until January 19th, please come back to New Raleigh for our take on what promises to be an entertaining season.  The exhibition games versus Barton (94-57 W) and UNC-Pembroke (76-41 W) are the first sign for a good season.

For those with an eye for nostalgia, check out GoPack’s “Recreating the magic of 83”.  To see what the powers that be have ranked the Wolfpack, go here.  101.5FM will be broadcasting all games this season, as opposed to the traditionally warm 680 AM.  Stay tuned, and GO PACK!