Connect with us

NC State lost by 51 points to UNC as they looked like a middle school team compared to Roy Williams group. The offense was a non-issue as the Pack did not run a single set from the beginning. Carolina punked NC State as they took NC State out of their offense by picking up early in the half-court. The offense wasn’t the only issue as defensively the Wolfpack didn’t do anything to take Carolina out of their comfort zone.

Carolina went on to score 107 points, shoot 49% from the field, and 44% from three. UNC crushed State on the glass by a margin of 14, and ripped down 17 offensive boards. To put it bluntly, NC State was outperformed on every level of yesterday’s contest as one would expect when a team loses by 51. Let alone 51 to a so-called rival.

NC State world beaters one game and bottom dwellers the next. Inconsistencies in running a gameplan and having energy have tormented NC State as well as State fans. Frustration boils over as there needs to be more accountability throughout the program. The coaching staff, as well as the players, are at fault for yesterday’s performance.

All of the players in Red & White must take a long hard look at themselves and question their motives. It is a players responsibility to play with energy, focus, and heart. The coaches cannot get out there and play! Personally, I believe that players are more responsible for performances like we saw yesterday. NC State players were not tough enough to execute aginst UNC’s defense. They went off script shooting contested jumpers without ball movement. They turned it over 26 times and shot sub 37% from the field!

Coaches must create a culture that demands toughness and trust. The biggest issues I have is the effort level and the consistency with NC State basketball. Look at the premiere programs across the country and what you find is a consistent effort each night. Carolina, Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, and the Villanova’s of the college basketball landscape give the same effort regardless of their opponent in front of them. NC State cannot say the same thing. NC State; however, seemingly find ways to play up or down to their competition. Or the Pack will follow big wins with head-scratching performances the next game.

After a loss like yesterday, NC State must recognize that they are only three games deep into the ACC schedule. They have plenty of time left to try and heal a loss like yesterday. I argue a loss like that will never heal or at least I hope our players never forget those feelings. Those feelings should be motivation to never play so lackadaisical, soft, and without a competitive fire again.

Talent is not a problem for NC State instead they need to show some grit, focus, and competitiveness to put themselves in a position to use it. Mark Gottfried has got to be better at getting through to his players to answer the call on the road in hostile environments. People will point the finger at Gottfried, and he is at fault; however, it is on everyone inside the NC State basketball program to not waste this season.

Losing one game in the ACC is never a reason to panic, but yesterday wasn’t just one game. It was a rivalry game and a chance to make real noise in the hierarchy of college basketball. It wasn’t, it showed the gap between NC State and Carolina is still significant. Pain is the emotion that runs through me as I type that.

NC State cannot forget what led to their dismantling at the hands of UNC yesterday. They cannot do anything about that performance but they can make sure it never happens again. The rest of the season will be a testament to what kind of character resides inside NC State basketball. It will also shape the future of NC State’s program.

9 Comments
Subscribe
Notify of
9 Comments
newest
oldest most Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Wormncsu
Wormncsu
7 years ago

The only problem is who do you bring in to replace Gottfried. State has shown in coaching searches we are not a top destination for the upper esalon of coaches.

Martin
Martin
7 years ago

I realize that coaches can not go out on the court and play the game, but they are responsible for the personality, attitude, and effort of a team. It is okay to lose when giving your all but inexcusable when you go out and represent your school in the manner that our players so often do. Williams and Coach K would have lost their minds and sat every player. We need a coach to motivate

Ian
Ian
7 years ago

“They cannot do anything about that performance but they can make sure it never happens again.” Here’s my problem, they already did and it was against Miami. Fool me once as the saying goes. They’ve got me worried at this point.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago

As I’ve mentioned before I was done before last season. We don’t need to see 2 more years of this crap to know what we have. This is the most talented and deepest roster maybe ever in Raleigh but if the coach can’t get them to play hard at minimum then what else needs to be said? I’ll return when we have a new coach. Until then best wishes to all Wolfpack fans.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago

A friend of mine and fellow Alumnus who happens to be a lot more forgiving than me was using this season to make the final call on our beleaguered coach. I’m pretty sure I know which way he’s leaning.

Ballerman4452
Ballerman4452
7 years ago

This is a defining moment. State can either get back up and learn or stay down. This team has to mature quick since a third of the team will be gone next year and this is the first time state has had depth in a good while. I’ve been a state fan since I was 13 when Herb Sendek was the coach, and even then there was inconsistency. Someone needs to step up and change the culture and fast.

wolfpack74
wolfpack74
7 years ago
Reply to  Ballerman4452

Who’s leaving? Only Anya is a senior and maybe Henderson. The rest need to stay and learn how to play as a team because none are that talented to consider the NBA yet. It only looks like we have depth. Most are first year players that don’t play hard or together. However, the real problem is the coaching. No ability to develop players especially the bigs. Sorry to hear Wolfer96 is out.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
7 years ago

That was a fairly accurate breakdown. As mentioned the lack of effort is a real concern. But lacking discipline is nothing new for a Gott coached team. I saw guys walking back on defense when unc was pushing the ball in transition. Standing around after a score and giving up wide open shots. At some point these guys have to show a little pride.

Embarassing
Embarassing
7 years ago

This is type of game that players and coaching staff should come out and apologize to WPN. Except for one or two players, They should know it was embarrassing to wear Wolfpack jersey. 27% FT, 26 TOs, 51 margin loss is inexcusable. Team was out-coached, out-hustled, out-everything. This is recurring theme for Gottfried and co. Will Gott’s true team only come in March? WPN have to swallow poops til?

NC State Basketball

An NC State Win Over Marquette in the Sweet 16 Would Be…

Published

on

Awesome. Obviously.

#11 seed NC State will play #2 seed Marquette tomorrow night in the Sweet 16. What would a win mean for the Wolfpack? Many things, but here’s just a few:

It would give NC State 25 wins on the year (25-14), which would be the most wins since 1982-83, when the Wolfpack went 26-10, winning the National Championship.

It would mark the 12th time in school history that NC State has won 25+ games in a single season.

1982-83 – 26-10 

1973-74 – 30-1 

1972-73 – 27-0 

1954-55 – 28-4 

1953-54 – 26-7

1952-53 – 26-6 

1950-51 – 30-7 

1949-50 – 27-6 

1948-49 – 25-8 

1947-48 – 29-3

1946-47- 26-5

It would be the 7th time NC State has advanced to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament.

1950

1951

1974

1983

1985

1986

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

NC State has Won 5 ACC Championships this Year

Published

on

NC State has won 5 ACC Championships this year, which is the most of any athletic program in the conference this year.

The Wolfpack has won ACC Titles in Women’s Cross Country, Men’s Swimming & Diving, Wrestling, Men’s Basketball and Gymnastics.

The last time NC State won 5 ACC Championships in one year was 1979-80.

As far as I can tell, here’s a look at the Wolfpack Conference Titles from 1979-80:

Football
Women’s Basketball
Women’s Cross Country
Men’s Swimming & Diving
Men’s Tennis

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

NC State is 1 of 4 Schools to Have Both Men & Women’s Basketball Teams in Sweet 16

Published

on

NC State is 1 of 4 schools to have their Men and Women’s Basketball teams BOTH advance to the Sweet 16, along with Duke, Gonzaga and UCONN.

NC State and Duke are the only two schools in the country to send both Basketball teams to the Sweet 16, and also send the Football team to a bowl game.

This marks only the third time in school history that BOTH teams made the Sweet 16.

Years NC State’s Men & Women’s Teams Made the Sweet 16

1985
1989
2024

Despite the fact that the Men’s team has made the Elite 8 six times (1950, 1951, 1974, 1983, 1985, 1986), and the Women have made it 2 times (1998 & 2022), in the three occasions they both went to the Sweet 16 in the same year, neither team advanced to the Elite 8.

In 2024, Why Not Us?

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

#3 seed NC State Holds on Against #6 Seed Tennessee, Defeating the Vols 79-72 to Advance to the Sweet 16

Published

on

#3 seed NC State held on last night, defeating #6 seed Tennessee 79-72 in Reynolds Coliseum to advance to the Sweet 16 for the 5th time in the last 6 tournaments.

The Wolfpack led by only 1 after the 1st Quarter, but they looked like they had things under control at halftime, leading by 18 points.

At one point, NC State led by as much as 20 points in the 3rd Quarter, but the Lady Volunteers weren’t about to give up.

With 4:19 left in the 4th, Tennessee cut the lead to 2 points, but NC State might have bent, but they wouldn’t break.

Junior Guard Aziaha James led the way with 22 points and 7 assists, which were both team highs. She scored 7 points in the final 3.5 minutes, helping to squash tue Last Vols’ comeback attempt.

Junior Guard Saniya Rivers had 20 points (6-14 FG) and 6 boards.

Freshman Zoe Brooks was clutch off the bench, chipping in 16 points and 6 boards.

This marks the 16th time the NC State Women’s Basketball team has advanced to the Sweet 16.

The Wolfpack will play #2 seed Stanford on Friday night at 7:30pm on ESPN in Portland.

Continue Reading