NC State Defeats Maryland

Sunday, January 8, 2012 marked the first ACC opener win for NC State in 4 or 5 years. NC State defeated Maryland 79-74. The win isn't just a win, but it was a major test for new year coach Mark Gottfried. He told his team, and the media, that they will need to win 11 conference games in order to make it to "The Big Dance". As for me, I believe we can do it if the Pack can keep their focus and determination in the future.

Against Maryland, CJ Leslie put up 20 points, Scott Wood put up 19 points, Lorenzo Brown added 11 points and Richard Howell added 10 points. This is the first balanced WolfPack team that I seen so far, since being at NC State for nearly 2 years (I know it is not a long time). I said it before, and I'll say it again; this team is ten times better than it was last year. We have more structure and they know their positions well. When that happens, each player does their job right and the team will make something happen.

As for Maryland, it is basically a one man team. Terell Stoglin put up 25 points for the Terps. Nearly 1/4 of their total score. Even with our balanced team, they were still a tough team to beat. It will not get easier in the future, so we have to be ready. Side note: Maryland's coach, Mark Turgeon, is also in his first year as head coach for the Terps.

I have no doubt that NC State will continue to improve after each game, looking at what they did wrong and learn from it. With this attitude, NC State will be a team, that no one wants to mess with.

The next game is against Georgia Tech at the RBC Center on Wednesday Jan. 11. 

Go Pack!!!