#11 seed NC State will play #2 seed Marquette in the Sweet 16 on Friday night, which will mark the 6th time the two teams have played one another.
The first time the Wolfpack and the Golden Eagles played one another was also in the NCAA Tournament, and it just so happened to be the 1974 Championship game, with NC State winning the game 76-64, giving the Pack their first National Championship.
Wolfpack led the way with 21 points, and Tommy Burleson had a double-double of 14 points and 11 boards, with 7 blocks, which is tied for the 8th most in school history in a single game.
NC State also had 12 steals in the game, which is the most by a Pack team in an NCAA Tournament game.
The next time the two teams would meet was on January 21st, in Reynolds Coliseum. The Wolfpack won 89-76, and it was a night for the history books for Point Guard Chris Corchiani. In that game, set ACC career records for assists with 861 and steals with 276.
The following year, the Golden Eagles picked up their first win against the Wolfpack, winning 66-42 in Milwaukee.
It would be over 15 years before NC State and Marquette would play one another again, and this time it would once again be a home-and-home series in back-to-back years.
On December 22nd, 2008, the Wolfpack lost a close one at home, falling 65-68. Wolfpack Forward Brandon Costner hit all five 3-Point attempts in that game, which still stands as the best 3-Point Percentage in a single game in school history.
The following year, on December 5th, 2009, the Wolfpack would claim the lead in the series again, defeating the Golden Eagles 77-73 on the road. NC State big man Tracy Smith had a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds. Point Guard Javier Gonzalez had 15 points and 7 assists, and Wing Scott Wood knocked down 4 of his 6 three-point attempts.
74eagle He’s had the most talent of pretty much any coach in Wolfpack history during a 4 year stretch so I’m not going to excuse anything due to rebuilding. Every team is rebuilding. Kids leave early for NBA, they transfer, get injured, etc. It’s part of the game and we’re not the only ones dealing with this problem. I can’t argue with the freedom his offense gives his players but I’m not a big fan of it. Don’t get me wrong, I like it better than Sendek’s for certain. However, I’ve seen one too many plays drawn up for one… Read more »
I dont really get the “polarizing” angle… I don’t think there is that much contention about Gott’s coaching among Pack fans… sure some people are critical, but you see that with every fan base… hell, a lot of Ewenc fans are critical of Woy Boy, but he has brought them 2 NCs…. I think Gott has done a helluva job and I am glad to have him… he is a great recruiter, really good motivational coach and has a way of getting his teams to peak at the right time every year… If he can get a couple of breaks… Read more »
It’s been quite a ride these last four years. Being in the Tourney is where it’s at and anyone can make a run IF there. Challenges ahead for the ’16 team, but who are you scared of? UVa and the Cheats will be ballyhooed, neither are world beaters and may not even be the class of the league. We need some guys to step next year and the staff to coach ’em up. I think it will happen.
I have to disagree with the x and o comment. Coach has had to rebuild almost every year and change how his system runs to maximize results. Back in the Herb days we stuck with a system whether it made sense with our personnel or not. Gott actually coaches in a way to allow the freedom to players to make plays. He’s got achip on his shoulder, connects with players, coaches to win and when he finally loads this roster at every spot, watch out.