I don’t think that you will get too many complaints from most NC State fans about Wednesday night’s loss in Chapel Hill to the Tarheels.
After playing a great first half (to trail 41-40), the game ultimately took on the exact same complexion as most of the Wolfpack’s losses this season. You can’t get too mad or frustrated when the team largely plays to their potential for most of the game only to have the obvious deficiencies and gaps in talent ultimately play out as expected.
A few quick comments:
* It is so interesting for NC State to have played 25 games this season and have only encountered foul trouble to key player(s) in three games – two of them vs Carolina.
* Don’t take that ^previous comment as too much criticism for the officiating. I actually think that the game in Raleigh and tonight’s game have been two of the better officiated games of our season. (Not to mention past State-Carolina games). The stretch in the second half when the refs swallowed their whistle only added to our unraveling.
* Carolina’s ability to apply defensive pressure for 40 minutes without fear of foul trouble is exhausting to watch. I can’t imagine having to play with Ty Lawson and Wes Miller’s hand up my shirt for 40 minutes.
* Something that is going to go unnoticed because of the way in which the second half developed was how wonderful of a job that State did on the glass in the first 15 minutes of the game. Because of the efficiency with which the Wolfpack’s offense operates when we don’t turn the ball over, you cannot underestimate the importance of good rebounding for this team. Rebounding is what kept us in the game the first 5 minutes when our offense wasn’t rolling yet.
* One of my favorite posters on Pack Pride asked if the refs had fouled out Coach Lowe by halftime? Too funny. Link to info on Coach Lowe’s physical condition.
* I am surprised that Sidney wore the red jacket again tonight. Nice.
* The lack of coordination exhibited in Gavin Grant’s 4 or 5 unforced turnovers each game is just bewildering. How can someone so talented simply drop the ball, miss-time catches of easy passes, etc?
* It was really interesting to see the impact of absence of Coach Lowe from the bench in the second half. It really makes a statement about his importance to this team.
* BJD’s comments:
When Sid left for the hospital, you had to think our chance was over. We have too narrow a margin of error as it is – we can’t lose our coach at halftime. Dennis Horner makes a nice shot (take that one more, kid!) at the end to cancel Wes Miller’s dick move and keep the final margin under 20. In essence, it was like the GT game against a much better opponent – the Pack just couldn’t withstand 40 minutes of ball pressure with such a shallow bench. Down the stretch, we couldn’t shot, pass crisply, defend, or rebound. No legs. It was borderline criminal for Towe to leave Atsur in the game for that many minutes with the outcome decided. We need him at full strength on Saturday. Your final score – UNC 83, NC State 64.
