I don’t really have time for it, but what the hell – I think I’ll try to live blog the Michigan game tonight. How will Sidney Lowe and his Iron Five handle their first true test? I expect us to play with lots of emotion tonight, and hopefully feed off the crowd. We have absolutely no reason to expect a win tonight, but I’ve had an inexplicably positive feeling all day about this game. Stay tuned!
7:07 – Uh oh, we look like shit early.
7:09 – Just getting worse. You can feel the energy seeping out of the building.
7:10 – I like Michigan’s gameplan to attack our thin frontcourt. We have to rebound much better. Our guys are playing hard, though.
7:11 – Another turnover. We are pretty fortunate not to be down 10-12 points, instead of just 5 at the first break.
7:14 – There’s that 10-point lead I mentioned.
7:16 – Oh, dear Lord. Atsur is hurt. We are so screwed.
7:20 – The announcers get in their obligatory dig at our fans for “running off” Sendek. Get over it, already. McCauley picking up some slack down low.
7:23 – This Jimmy Dykes doofus can kiss my ass.
7:25 – Where is Gavin Grant? I know he’s on the floor…but where is he?
7:27 – Look at Horner! Where the hell did that come from? You have to like this kid’s heart.
7:31 – Cool, a Vinny Del Negro sighting!
7:32 – Doing a good job scoring in the paint, despite being undersized.
7:34 – Great pass by Gavin to set up Nieman. Have to like how Nieman didn’t hesitate to let it fly.
7:38 – Pack leads! And Jimmy Dykes still can’t shut his piehole about Sendek. Perhaps he’ll get a chance to call an Arizona State game this year, and attempt to actually blow him.
7:42 – Nobody should ever refer to Brandon Costner as “Big Lazy” ever again. What defensive hustle.
7:45 – McCauley has savvy, and Nieman has balls. He has no fear whatsoever, and is proving that he belongs at this level.
7:47 – Un-fucking-believable. 35-28 Pack at the half, most of it without Engin Atsur. Regardless of the final W/L mark, this team has the potential to be an all-time sentimental favorite.
8:01 – You know, the more I think about it, the madder I get. It’s not fair to Coach Sendek, either. He moved on, to a pretty decent place. 90% of us have also moved on. Turnover is a major part of major college revenue sports. The only people who give a shit about Dykes’ babble are the State fans watching the broadcast, and it pisses us off. Is that a good idea for an ESPN employee?
8:06 – Dykes mentions Sendek. Drink. Oh, and Pack up 12 with Fells at the line. Love the aggression.
8:10 – Ben McCauley is a beast tonight. Costner takes it back inside and draws a foul. The lead is 15, people!
8:12 – Michigan extends the defense, and Fells calmly pops a three. Sixteen!
8:17 – McCauley is a damned magician. Nice two-man game with Grant there.
8:19 – Can you tell that Dykes had his remarks pre-prepared? He has no idea what to say now that we’re playing so well.
8:20 – Fly, Courtney, fly. We’ll try to push it past 20 after a word from our sponsors.
8:25 – Getting nervous…
8:26 – If we lose this game, I will be convinced once and for all that we are cursed. Come on, damn it, these kids deserve a moment in the sun!
8:30 – Still nervous. That damned clock needs to run!
8:32 – Foul on State for standing in the vicinity of the shooter. WTF? Man, does McCauley ever have quick, nimble feet.
8:37 – OK, now I’m beyond nervous. We just can’t lose this one. I can’t take it!
8:40 – Grant and BC come up huge. I can’t say enough how much I love this team.
8:42 – Michigan won’t go away and my heart rate won’t slow down. We’ve got guts. Is that enough?
8:45 – YES!!!
8:46 – I almost don’t care if we don’t win another game all year. Finish this one, and I’ll be satisfied.
8:48 – We’re holding onto this one based on sheer, raw force of will. We have one guy who can really handle the ball, and he’s exhausted.
8:50 – The refs are trying to kill me.
8:51 – One last time – aggression with the pass. Gotta love it. Still not breathing normally.
8:53 – Grant gets mugged – no fucking call! Down to 6, but I think we’re in the double bonus. Doesn’t matter if UM not going to be called for attempted rape.
8:55 – Almost a TO and a BJD heart attack.
8:56 – Oh my God, down to four.
8:57 – More rugby, with no whistle.
8:58 – We are going to take it. Fuck you, Jimmy Dykes!
8:59 – FINAL SCORE – NC State 74, Michigan 67. ACC 1, Big Ten/Eleven 0.
