NC State Basketball 2012-2013 Season Ends

If you know me, than you know that I am a die hard NC State fan. I graduated in the Fall of 2012 and ever since I attended NC State, I wanted NC State to become one of the greats in college sports. This year was supposed to be "THE" year for NC State basketball. We had 4 starters returning and a highly ranked incoming class. What should have been an eye opener in Puerto Rico was just the beginning of the roller coaster ride of NC State Basketball. After the Oklahoma State massacre, the team won straight games including the major upset of then #1 Duke. Then, like usual, pulled some "NC State Shit" and lost at Maryland. That was pretty much the rest of the season. Losing to teams we should not have. This team had the talent, but lacked the discipline. Lack of leadership from the veterans. But is it all on the players? Is the players just a reflection of their coach? We will see.

One main thing that all NC State fans will tell you, is that we can not play defense AT ALL. I believe we rely on scoring many points to win games. Yes that typically works unless you are playing against a team that plays incredible defense,UVA and UMD.

I am optimistic thought. What Mark Gottfried did to this program in 2 years was made it relevant again. That's what the fans mostly wanted. We wanted respect from top programs. We wanted top programs to wonder if they are capable of beating us or not. We wanted those programs to celebrate a win against us like they just won a national championship title. Mark Gottfried did that in 2 years. Next year, the freshmen will be sophmores, and have experience to guide NC State to greatness again. Lorenzo Brown, you are one of the greats in a long time for NC State. One of my favorite players, even though you blocked me on Twitter. It's cool though. CJ Leslie, you are a monster, but you need to mature more. When you are in a game, we win hands down, but when you are not interested in the game, then there is a 25% chance of winning. You were the "switch" that made us look incredible or look like shit.

In conclusion, I believe both juniors need to stay for their senior years. Become leaders. Na Na Naaaa, Na Naaa Na Na Na Naaa, Na Naaaa, Na Naaa Na Na Na NA!!! GO STATE!!!

The Wolfpack Looking Better

 

The game against Morehead State gave the Wolfpack the extra confidence it needs to keep striving to be a better team than they were last year. Three players stood out the most in this match up, Howell, Painter and Wood. Howell put up a career high of 25 points, Painter also put up a career high of 19 points, and Wood put up 18 points including 5 three point shots While C.J Leslie is out for the first three games, Howell, Painter and C.J Wilson has really stepped up into the game, to prove to Gottfried that they have what it takes to win.

Mark Gottfried should be proud of this team. Last year, the Pack did not look this good all season. Yes, the two teams they played were in the "Mid Major" conferences, but each of them had an appearance in the NCAA tournament last season, while NC State was not a part of. Us Wolfpack fans have (really) high hopes for Gottfried to bring this program around. We aren't looking for a national championship (wouldn't hurt though lol), but we are looking for a winning season that is guaranteed to improve after each season. If he can do that, then he is guaranteed that Pack fans will support him all the way.

UNC vs. NC State

 North Carolina State University vs. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

WRAL Image

Some people know what I am talking about when I mention the UNC/NC State game. Whether it is a basketball game or football. Either way, this rivalry is INTENSE. As a student of NC State and a fan, my feelings towards UNC athletics are the same as every other NC State fan. I have no problem with the actual institution, but I bleed Wolfpack Red.


A little history of the rivalry between these two universities can be traced back over a hundred years. The first time these schools played against each other was in 1894. For a decade or so UNC over powered NC State because they were an already established university for a long time, while NC State was just established in 1887. But as years went on, NC State got better and the games have gotten more intense.


For us NC State fans, UNC is our main rival in basketball and football, while UNC considers Duke as their main rival, mainly in basketball. But, both schools have that "sibling" rivalry between them, like older brother and little brother, no matter what sport it is.

Left: Coach Tom O' Brien. Right: Interim Coach Everett Withers

This past weekend marked the 5th consecutive win in football for NC State over UNC. This time, NC State had the heart and passion to win. UNC thought they could just come into the stadium and just win, not the case on November 5, 2011. After all that trash talking between the coaches, UNC coach instigated it, NC State had even more reason to win, and they did. They shut out UNC with a 13-0 victory. I am proud of my team and I know we can have a winning season this year. If they put their hearts into, like in the UNC game, then there is NO reason for them to lose.

NC State Falls, While Wisconsin Soars!

Well, Russell Wilson led the Badgers to a 48-17 victory over #8 Nebraska. Wilson let the whole nation know that it doesn't matter whether it is a Top 10 team or an un-ranked team, they are coming full force, holding nothing back. I retract what I said in my previous post, Russell Wilson can make many things happen where ever he goes, and Wisconsin is lucky and proud that he is making it happen in Madison.

As for NC State, #21 Georgia Tech rallies past the Wolfpack with a 45-35 victory. One has to wonder now if Tom O' Brien made a good decision or not. So far, it hasn't been. Yes, the Wolfpack did get two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but it was a little to late. NC State fans, including myself, have to accept that even with Mike Glennon, we are definitely not the same team as last season. It now looks like one of the worst seasons for the Wolfpack under Tom O' Brien. I'm pretty sure NCSU's AD is not going to be pleased with this season's outcome. She might do the same thing she did with our previous head basketball coach Sidney Lowe. Only time will tell, and hope and faith are the only things keeping Pack fans from completely giving up.

I still have faith in my school's team. It doesn't matter if we win or lose, if we give it our all and left with a dent in the opponents expectations of us. Go Wolfpack!

NC State and Wisconsin, Glennon and Wilson

Okay, so the whole nation knows that Russell Wilson was released from NC State before summer started, and then went on to play his last year over at Wisconsin. But, is playing schools that aren't in conferences that have automatic bowl bids a foundation to Russell Wilson's excellent start as a quarterback? Well, today will be the big test when #7 Wisconsin hosts #8 Nebraska. If he is as good as the media says he is, then he will do great in this game. I have no doubts that Russell Wilson has the talent and drive to lead a team to victory, but I believe the true test rests in this game.

As for NC State, they have been terrible this season without, the now famous, Russell Wilson. Even with a quarterback that was in the top 5 out of high school, they still haven't found their groove. The loss against a 2010 3-9 record Wake Forest should have woken them up, but it didn't when they played an embarrassing game against Cincinnati. Many of you do not know that Glennon was going to be the starting quarterback three years ago, but after the first game, he got injured and Wilson stepped up to the plate. Ever since then, Tom O'Brien started with Wilson in every game and he did wonders, while Glennon watched on the sidelines. Now that Glennon has his chance (four chances actually) he continues to not be the leader of the team. Once he establishes that and communicates well, he will become a very good quarterback. But from the last four games, it is still the same, with little improvement. Today, against #21 Georgia Tech, it will show Glennon's true colors and his true talent as a quarterback. This will also be a chance for Tom O' Brien to back up his decision to let Wilson go.

As a student and fan of NCSU, I will support my WOLFPACK through thick and thin. I will root for Wisconsin because one of our own is leading their team. GO WOLFPACK and Badgers!