The NC State Wolfpack went into the UNC game this past Saturday as a 17 point underdog. It was, however, evident from the start that Sidney Lowe's Wolfpack didn't believe what the odds makers had to say. The Wolfpack scored the first 4 points of the game and the most they trailed by was 6 points early in the first half.
The Pack led by as many as 12 points early, but the Tar Heels tied the score at 36 with just over 5 seconds remaining in the half. The Pack's Gavin Grant received the inbounds pass and drove the length of the floor for a lay up, making the halftime score 38-36 in favor of State. That layup seemed to set the tone for the rest of the game.
Carolina made several runs at the Pack in the second half. The Heels even took a one point lead at one point in the second half. But everytime the Heels made a run the Pack had an answer for them. The heavily favored Tar Heels would eventually fall to the Wolfpack 83-79.
As the crowd rushed the floor I sat back and thought about what had just taken place. For the first time in my four years at NC State we had beaten the dreaded Tar Heels. It was Sidney Lowe's first win in his first attempt against Carolina. It was a moment that will stick with me forever. I have been to many great sporting events (Orange Bowl, NCAA/ACC tourneys, countless races), but none compared to that win on Saturday. We could go the rest of the season without a win and I woud feel comfortable with the state of State basketball.
Many compared the atmosphere inside the RBC Center to the atmosphere surrounding State basketball in the 1980s. I can't remember ever seeing a Wolfpack team play with so much passion and desire. I was proud to say that I was an NC State basketball fan. I can't say that about previous seasons.
Sidney Lowe is proving himself to be the right man for the job. He has an undermanned team, and has been able to get the most out of them that he possibly could. He has a long way to go yet, but he is on the right path. It is safe to say that this will be the only year that there is such a big diparity between the Wolfpack and its Tobacco Road rivals, Duke and UNC. Lowe has several top recruits coming in combined with other commits and a transfer.
The red blazer that Lowe wore on Saturday looked eerily similar to someone else. No, not me and my red blazer that I was wearing. But, the late Jim Valvano. Ok, so only the wardrobe is similar. The blazer caught my eye and I knew for the first time in a long time we had a coach that took this rivalry seriously.
The final tally for the Pack was 83. 1983 was a magical year for NC State. A Jim Valvano coached and Sidney Lowe led basketball team shocked the world by defeating the defending national champion Tar Heels twice en route to the Pack's second national title.
Now, I am not saying that this year's team is headed for the same fate as the '83 team. However, I am saying that this could quite possibly be the beginning of something special. The underdog Pack made a statement on Saturday. A statement that it was not going to settle for last place in the conference and claw its way into a chance to make teh tournament. Whether the team gets there or not will depend on a lot of things. First of all the Pack needs to keep winnning. And maybe, just maybe, they can catch a few breaks and get to where noone (including myself) thought they would get.
The person that I felt the best for Saturday afternoon was senior point guard Engin Atsur. He was o for his career against the Heels. He has also spent much of this season as a cheerleader. But, on Saturday afternoon the heart of the Wolfpack made his presence known for a second straight game with 12 points and 10 assists against the Heels. He may not go down of one of the Wolfpack all time greats, but in my mind he deserves to at least make an argument. I doubt his jersey will be retired, but the #14 should mean a lot to all of the Wolfpack Nation.
If the Pack can make a run at the NCAA tournament, then great. But, if they don't they will still have had a successful season. The previous 5 State teams made the NCAAs, and none of them made me as proud as this year's squad has. Pride, passion and fire is something that this team has lacked over the past several years. One win doesn't make a season. The win against Carolina, although a huge win, only counts once. It just meant a lot to see that passion back. Tobacco Road basketball is better off when Carolina, Duke and State are all good. If Wake Forest could get it together, then the global warming would be solved because the Big Four would be back at the top of the college basketball universe. The first win is the hardest one to get. 'Sid's Kids' have their first win against the Tar Heels, and hopefully there are many more to come.
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