None of the basketball was particularly artful, and it would be a grave mistake to pronounce that the 2007-08 Wolfpack has turned the corner. However, the season is back on track, after surviving a grueling stretch of 3 games in 6 days (with Christmas in the middle). NC State had to win all three games, and win them they did. Assuming no catastrophic loss to Western Carolina, Presbyterian, or NC Central, State will enter ACC play at 11-3, which is fairly solid ground. Even more importantly, NC State has 2 quality non-home wins (Villanova and Seton Hall) for its NCAAT resume, to balance out the 2 inexcusable losses.
Neither replacement point guard played very well, but neither cost State the game, either. Johnson, in particular, had some moments where he was actually useful on each end of the floor. Fells carried the Pack in the first half, Gavin Grant in the second (with some help from Ben and J.J.). I now no longer fear complete disaster, which is a great relief.
