Rodney Purvis Dunk

Here is the GIF of NC State's Rodney Purvis dunk on a missed shot by one of his team mates.

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!!!

NC State Basketball, Making A Come Back?

The ACC conference season is just around the corner and NC State has shown that they are much better than they were just a year ago. With new coach, Mark Gottfried aka "The Gott-father", things really have turned out good for the Pack. The most recent win against Delaware State, proved to die-hard fans that nothing is going to hold them back. When NC State went up against Delaware State last season, they had some trouble. NC State ended up winning by just 2 points, 72-70. I am not saying that they aren't a good team, I am saying that we did not have that much trouble defeating them this year. Yes, they might have lost some key players but I am sure that there were some returning players also. Either way, the Pack shows that they have talent.


Another reason that the Pack should not be overlooked, is the fact that they held up against #1 Syracuse and #12 Indiana. Both times, the Pack lead at least 8 points. But they couldn't keep it up around the 8 minute mark in the 2nd half. That proves that the team is continuing to get better after each game. C.J Leslie is getting the experience he needs when he decides to enter the NBA draft his senior year. Scott Wood continues to make the crowd scream after every 3-point shot he makes. Lorenzo Brown is becoming the leader of the Pack by setting the team up right and assisting, like a good PG should. C.J Williams, a senior, is making a statement each and every game. All players are stepping up. Is this because of Mark Gottfried? Or is it another reason? We do know is that this team did not look this good under Sidney Lowe, no doubt about that. I believe a winning season is on the horizon for the WolfPack.


Also, NC State has a top 5 recruiting class in the nation. After 4 terrible previous seasons, Mark Gottfried is truly helping the Pack get the respect that it deserves. I believe under him, NC State will be more than a rival to UNC and Duke. NC State is really making a tremendous come back from back to back losing seasons. History in the making is about to unfold!

If you want stats and more about NC State's Basketball team, please visit www.statefansnation.com.

GO PACK!

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.

NC State's "Talented" Three

Coach Mark Gottfried

This year NC State stuns the nation again with top recruits coming in for the 2012 season. Currently ranked 3rd in the nation in the number of top recruits coming in. It is amazing how we get top notch recruits last season, but couldn't do anything with them. Yes, these recruits do have talent, but talent alone can only go so far. To put it all together, you need a good coach and coaching staff. Last season, Sidney Lowe couldn't do anything with his ranked recruits that he brought in. This is because he was not a good coach at all. He had the talent, be he lacked the coaching ability to get his team a winning season. Now, Wolfpack fans are looking up to Mark Gottfried to bring the Wolfpack to (at least) a winning season. Yes, it takes time for a team with a new coach to get a running start, but if he can "wow" Wolfpack fans, then he is sure going to have a good year at NC State.

Left: Rodney Purvis. Middle: Tyler Lewis. Right: TJ Warren

Currently, NC State has three top recruits coming in for the 2012-2013 season; Tyler Lewis, Rodney Purvis, and T.J. Warren. So far, this recruiting class is ranked 3rd in the nation. There is one more recruit that Gottfried is trying to get, so I will not name him unless he signs. If he does sign with the Wolpack, then NC State will most likely have the #1 recruiting class in the country.

Wolfpack fans are dying to see what this team can do this season and next season. Since this is Mark Gottfried's first year at NC State, I wonder what he can do with the players that we already have.

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!