The RBC Center has (unfortunately) never really ‘caught fire’ as big home court advantage for Herb Sendek’s basketball program. Theories and rationalizations on the topic range from the arena’s off-campus location to a growingly apathetic student population to just bad teams. Surely, many of the opinion’s of the RBC’s environment are framed against a backdrop of venerable Reynolds Coliseum that also works against the new building.
But, perhaps the arena’s tide is turning in tandem with the on-the-court-fortunates of the program. (Wow!! No kidding? Oddly, I’m sure that some people never saw this coming)
In this article about the “Pesky Pack” in the Macon Telegraph, it seems that others are taking note of the improving environment in the RBC:
RALEIGH, N.C. – Perhaps no college basketball team in America annoys opponents more than North Carolina State. The in-your-jersey defense. The methodical, pass-and-cut offense.
Even the Wolfpack fans are among the most agitating around.
“It’s crazy out there,” Tech forward Jeremis Smith said. “Duke is crazy with their crowd … but overall I’d have to put N.C. State at the top of the list.”
State’s fans got under the skin of Georgia Tech head coach Paul Hewitt. The students sitting behind the Tech bench spent the afternoon insulting center Theodis Tarver, who was declared academically ineligible last Monday but won an appeal and returned to the team Friday.
One fan brought a homemade sign that security confiscated the sign, but the verbal abuse continued. Hewitt snapped in the game’s final minute, turning toward the stands and trading words with the instigators.
“I reacted poorly,” Hewitt said. “Theo’s been going through a tough time and I thought there were some things said that didn’t need to be said. But I reacted very poorly and I apologize for my behavior.”
This was the way it was in Reynolds, and the way that it should be in the RBC.
