Today’s game is crucial for NC State’s post-season hopes. The Pack needs 1 more regular season to qualify for the NIT, and 2 wins would erase any doubt about receiving a bid. On a second front, there are ample ACCT seeding/cellar avoidance ramifications. A loss today pretty much ensures that State will be seeded no higher than 10th (with 12th still a distinct possibility). Wins over FSU and Wake would likely produce a 9 seed. As much as I’d like to set up a Friday date with VT instead of UNC, I think getting a higher seed looks better on paper (in terms of beating pre-season expectations).
Section Six has a good preview here. Short version – without Toney Douglas, the Noles have sucked. If we have our legs, I think we have at least a 50/50 shot to take these guys.
1:38 – I didn’t think we could play shittier than we did against Miami, but I was wrong. So far, this is EASILY the worst we have played on offense AND defense all season. Just pitiful.
Halftime – Coming out of halftime, the only starter on the floor should be Costner. Absolutely nobody else on this team showed up to play today. Send a message prior to the Wake game, that this kind of half-assed play is completely unacceptable. Caveat – Atsur’s play might be due to physical limitations rather than attitude.
2:09 – So far, the 2nd half is even worse. What a load of freaking crap this is. No fight, no effort, no pride to wear the uniform.
2:45 – Is Cliff Ellis mentally “challenged” – seriously? Gavin Grant is the king of garbage time. Would have been nice if he had done something while the outcome was still in doubt. Why are we risking further injury to Costner and Atsur? Complete lunacy.
End of Game – A fittingly humiliating end to a humilating game. Ben McCauley was invisible again, and has likely played his way out of all-ACC consideration over the last 2 games. Fells played as if he were stoned. Atsur was clearly way off, and the coaching staff stubbornly (and stupidly, IMHO) played him all the way, even after the outcome was clearly decided. We need the next game to qualify for the NIT and avoid last place, so it sure as hell better not come back to haunt us. Before the game the TV foofs were talking about FSU wanting the score in the 70s, and NC State wanting it in the 50s. In a way, that’s exactly what happened – Florida State 78, NC State 52.
