State beats Clemson – now with 2 game ACC win streak

10-11 Basketball General NC State NCS Basketball109

In a season that has not gone anywhere that was planned or expected, there have been many more downs than ups. However, tonight the Wolfpack men beat Clemson 69-61 to record their 4th ACC win of the year and have now won two straight conference games. CJ Leslie, Richard Howell, Tracy Smith, and Javier Gonzalez lead the Pack to a come from behind win. Leslie recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Smith added 14 points. Richard Howell almost had a double-double in addition with 9 points and 10 boards. Gonzalez added 11 points and 3 assists and played probably his best game of the year.

Smith afterwards discussed the thoughts of the team about the memories from the disappointment at Little John last month.

“I think the guys remembered that game,” Smith said. “They thought about it and they knew it wasn’t going to happen this game. So they went out and fought hard for 40 minutes. We took care of the ball, we rebounded and I thought our defense was pretty good.”

It was a good performance by the team, which played better defense and rebounded much better. The Pack tries for a three game win streak on Sunday when they travel to College Park, which has been a house of horrors lately for NCSU.

About ruffles31

1996 NC State graduate who is still waiting on his first ACC conference championship in any of the four main revenue sports (football, men's basketball, women's basketball, and baseball) since enrolling. All I want is a ACC Champions t-shirt.

10-11 Basketball General NC State NCS Basketball

109 Responses to State beats Clemson – now with 2 game ACC win streak

  1. SandhillsWolf 02/18/2011 at 9:29 AM #

    Does anyone in here really think that Lowe will still be let go or will step down if we end the season on a run? What if we get to 8-8 in the ACC or to 9-7 (Doubtful)? I know the middle of the season was tough, but I remember at the beginning of the season people were considering progress 8-8 or 9-7.

    I think if we finish strong and get to 19 to 20 wins prior to any NCAA Tourney or NIT of the like then Sid will be back next year. That is just my hunch.

  2. Prowling Woofie 02/18/2011 at 9:34 AM #

    Not lobbying for anything, just glad the team played more like a team last night. Showed some fight and resolve in battling back from the 9-point deficit in the first half.

    Thanks, Javi, for stepping up and providing stability. Leslie is a beast when he plugs in, and last night he was there. Howell did a great job with his time on the court, as did Wilson.

    Was good to see the ‘parts’ play like a ‘whole’ for a change.

    Sure would like to thump the turtles on Sunday…

  3. Beagle Pack 02/18/2011 at 9:35 AM #

    I’m with you STLPack01. These guys do not block out. Clempson didn’t do as good a job as other teams have with simply pushing our guys underneath the basket. I think that was due to a lack of effort on Clempson’s part, not a product of our guys doing anything different. This missing fundamental is so glaring and so annoying to watch.

    I started this season thinking Sid had to make the tournament to keep his job. And I would give the next guy 5 years to make the tournament as well. This seems like a generous and reasonable expectation to put on a NC State coach.

  4. newt 02/18/2011 at 9:45 AM #

    Discussion of Sid’s job status was and is speculative at this point. That’s why you sit down at the end of the season and evaluate.

    The decision is not made in a vacuum. If we win some games, Sid may be let go or retained based upon who we think we could get. I assume Yow is gauging interest in the job.

  5. Rick 02/18/2011 at 9:47 AM #

    “Does anyone in here really think that Lowe will still be let go or will step down if we end the season on a run?”

    If Lowe is back next year we might as well quit playing basketball.

  6. packbackr04 02/18/2011 at 9:47 AM #

    the decision has already been made on Sids future (or lack thereof) at NC State

  7. PackerInRussia 02/18/2011 at 10:03 AM #

    Just watched the game. By sheer fortune, they showed NC State vs. a non-Duke/UNC team and it happened to be a win. I really enjoyed the game which by itself is a departure from earlier games. There were things they did wrong of course and things that still need improvement (I definitely agree about boxing out and there were still some defensive issues among other things), but the fact that they played with effort and actually seemed to want to win was enough to get me rooting for them rather than just focus on the areas of poor play. Even if Clemson had made some more shots at the end and had won, this is would have been the type of loss that is almost acceptable for a team relying a lot on younger players. But, that’s not been the case all year. So, I will enjoy the win, appreciate the effort on the part of the players and hope to see more of it, but I am not going to let one good game against an OK team convince me that the rest of the season up until now should be forgotten.

  8. primacyone 02/18/2011 at 10:20 AM #

    That was a very good win. A solid team win. Everyone seemed to do their part and do it with some effort. Almost a demonstration type game for themselves. Very good win.

    It be nice if this tema could make a run and land in some post season play somewehere just for the extra practice and games. Could be really beneficial for next year. Especailly for Harrow, Leslie, Brown, Wood, and Howell.

    It was a good game. I’m happy for the team.

  9. graywolf 02/18/2011 at 10:20 AM #

    “I do think Sid is going to be given another year.”

    You are right but only if he hangs a banner……….

  10. bradleyb123 02/18/2011 at 10:42 AM #

    the decision has already been made on Sids future (or lack thereof) at NC State

    Do you have some inside information? Or is this your speculation? You made this statement as if it is fact. I think it’s very possible the decision has been made, but I wouldn’t state that as a fact.

    I think Sid may end up getting another year. I’m not saying he should or shouldn’t. But I think he might. If we finish strong and get to 8-8 or 9-7 (unlikely, but possible), and win a game or two in the ACC tournament, I think he might save his job.

    Many don’t want to admit it, but our three best players are freshmen. Yes, Sid has a bad record since he arrived. But we have a core of players that can develop into a very good team in another year or two. I think Debbie might consider that, especially if we finish strong this year. That’s why I think Sid’s fate is still undecided.

  11. section2chuck 02/18/2011 at 10:47 AM #

    I was being funny…I want Sid to hit the bricks.

    2 games, does not make up for 5 years of bad coaching, lazy players, no offense, no rebounding, no boxing out, no defense, chemistry issues, no fight, etc…should I go on?

  12. packhammer 02/18/2011 at 10:50 AM #

    Wonder if folks could hold back on the discussion about Sidney and his job security? It just doesn’t add anything. We all know the bloody situation. Ms. Yow will make the best decision she can at the end of the season based on the facts and her best judgment. At this point, just support the team. And enjoy the wins when we can get them!

  13. Thinkpack17 02/18/2011 at 11:15 AM #

    “I was watching the same game as you, and what I saw was our guys consistently not boxing out and always depending on their athletic ability to get rebounds.”

    I think this is way off. Our best rebounder last night was Rich and he was exactly the opposite of what you describe. He had 10 boards in limited minutes and Lo Brown got 2 boards on back to back possessions on the strength of Rich clearing out 2 guys. Towards the end CJL had two seals that were so good he could have let the ball hit the ground before picking it up.

    On another subject, Sid should go. And this is coming from a former supporter. He is clearly in over his head. If you can make the tourney in this year’s ACC, with this much talent on your team…you’re not a good coach. Sorry. And don’t use age as an excuse, because that implies we have to wait for our awesome recruits to also be upperclassmen before we can sniff the tourny. We consistently put a team on the floor that is just as talented…if not more talented than our opponent. But we still can’t win. We go up to BC and Sid gets outcoached by a first year ACC coach with a team half as talented as us. We have no identity and no direction. Let Sid Go. I apologize to everyone I disagreed with in supporting Lowe. I was wrong.

  14. adwomack 02/18/2011 at 12:25 PM #

    While it appears in the last two games we have played much better, we have to also take into account WHO we played. Wake is a terrible team right now, and Clemson, while a very hard-working team is not terribly talented on offense.

    It looks like we are moving in the right direction, but I think the game at Maryland will be much more telling. If we perform well in that game, I think we can start talking about turning a corner. And I don’t even think we have to WIN the game to say that we are turning the corner, because I believe it is as much about how you play the game, than results. If you play correctly, winning will come with it.

  15. patientwuf 02/18/2011 at 12:27 PM #

    I agree with packhammer.

    I just want to enjoy the win streak and let Yow do her job at the end of the season. I enjoy this time of year because that when Sid’s teams’ begin to show a little life.

  16. Packfan28 02/18/2011 at 12:34 PM #

    TP17, no need to apologize, but if you are sincere and want to make it up to everyone, it would be great if, towards the end of March and early April you could monitor the comings and goings of all private planes in and out of Raleigh, and possibly keep a close eye on the RBC webcam.

  17. rky 02/18/2011 at 12:53 PM #

    But guys, c’mon. State beat Wake AND the Son of Clem. Back to back. Let’s not quibble over the other games. The Wolfpack are on a roll and we cannot risk spoiling such a special season. Get the lifetime contract out and make sure Sid doesn’t slip away! Geeeeeez . . . .

    /sarcasm

  18. Wolfy__79 02/18/2011 at 12:54 PM #

    i made the trip to the rbc center last night. i also caught some of a replay of the game.. of the two, i got a better feel for the game by seeing what was going on in person.

    the first half, their rebounds were killing us.. second half the opposite. throughout the game the effort was there, first time i can say i’ve seen it all season, or atleast since the very first few games.

    what i need to see from this team is all on javi and tracy. they have to contribute more for any sustained success. i haven’t seen this EVER under sidney but that’s what we need IMO. for the rest of the guys.. they have to compete … much like we see from howell and wood.

    the freshman trio will feed off of this and can improve. tracy, i don’t know why but he comes off as lazy to me this year?? maybe the injury. javi is, well, a head case for his entire career here. cjw is a good upperclassmen.

    sidney lowe’s downfall is that the team doesn’t get it together until late if ever. he’s done ok against some of the acc in the second half of the conf season.. but the ability to beat the top tier teams eludes him?? it has made for some promising runs each year, but nothing has been accomplished to date..

    the only good team that i can think of that has freshman leading the way is kentucky. most if not all well coached teams incorporate the new guys into what the team does. that’s my biggest let down.. why cannot javi.. tracy.. even cjw give us more?

  19. Wolfy__79 02/18/2011 at 1:07 PM #

    if nothing else, maryland and unc-ch are two good defensive teams.. especially unx! last night’s effort isn’t going to get it done but it can be a building block.

    as to someone earlier speaking to the perimeter contributions from howell and leslie. did you see many of those the second half?? NOPE. sidney, for all his flaws doesn’t encourage that. howell and leslie are decent from that range and they weren’t really all that bad, leslie shot and made one that was contested. we shouldn’t see much of this from a SL team.

    the officiating was BRUTAL! worst i’ve seen in a while. we got away with some stuff as did clemson.. i think the tigers made the most of it though..

    the whole team showed good composure to play hard 40 minutes and finish the game down the stretch. hopefully this is a building block.

    as for a coaching change, i don’t think there is anything SL can realistically accomplish and move forward. i really hope that our ticket holders can atleast make it to the game next week.. or atleast give the tickets to another state fan.. hopefully there will be very little blue in the rbc. last night the crowd was about the same in size i’ve seen all year but we were definetly the rowdiest bunch. so please bring your negative or positive energy to atleast ONE game this season.

  20. blpack 02/18/2011 at 1:48 PM #

    Definitely our best game, best win too. However Clemson is not ranked and appears to be fading. They have one, maybe two ACC players. That said, Brownell has done a great job and they beat us the first time. The team has a long ways to go and maybe can win a few more before the season ends. There will be a nice nucleus for the next coach to begin to build with. Glad to finally see the guys play hard.

  21. Texpack 02/18/2011 at 2:49 PM #

    CJ Leslie looked like an above average player last night. That was the first game I have seen out of him that wouldn’t make me question why people thought he was going to be great coming out of high school. He actually made some offensive moves last night that he was able to finish. I’m certainly not ready to call this a trend yet. If we go to College Park and win on Sunday, the “streak” would have a bit more credibility. I’m also torn between wanting to watch us win down the stretch and the fear of how much farther behind the program would likely get if Sidney Lowe were retained for another season.

  22. patientwuf 02/18/2011 at 3:13 PM #

    Texpack I feel the same way.

    I love watching us win BUT!! My comments earlier implies this seems to happen every year with Sid. Several of my colleagues are Tarheel fans, they were very congratulatory towards me after last night’s win. My response to them is this: The Devil Wears a Red Dress this time of year.

  23. coachkoh 02/18/2011 at 4:02 PM #

    Nice win ,but boy did the place look empty? We can look back the last few years and see the same pattern with Sid’s teams. A couple of wins bring out the “let Sid coach these 3 freshman” “Sid is just learning the college game.” fill in the blanks!
    Also Javi won the game for us and CJL hit 3 3’s just like Sid drew it up

  24. theghost 02/18/2011 at 4:23 PM #

    Everybody just calm down. The Pack played a pretty good game. Well, beating clemson at home isn’t a huge upset for any even below-average ACC team. It’s not cause for euphoria, but it’s win and therefore not cause for wholesale negativity either.

    I think most are finally convinced that Sid won’t get the Pack to the next level, and this is probably it for him. But people are criticizing him for, what, wanting to keep his job? Really? So, you’d prefer him to be a guy who sees the writing on the wall and decides to quit and concede defeat? Whether he’s been a winner or not, I believe Sid has given it his all. What else did you expect? Valvano’s favorite point guard grew up to be a quitter?

    I don’t think he’s back next year, and I hope Yow makes a change, but I’m pulling for Sid to win every game he’s got left, and every game wherever he goes next. And if he does come back, I’ll pull for him next year too.

    And I also think he’ll leave the program in better shape than Les or HS did. I understand critics of his coaching ability, and was probably too slow to come around to it myself, but I’ll never understand those who wish ill of Sid or the players, hope the team loses, or expect him to lay down and quit.

    Go Pack! Beat the twerps.

  25. whitefang 02/18/2011 at 4:30 PM #

    Sad State of affairs when winning back to back games against much less talented opposition has ANYBODY suggesting that Lowe should be back after his awful body of work the last 5 years. If he is we got the wrong AD again.
    To twist Bum Phillips words a little: Lowe can take his’n and lose to your’n or take your’n and lose to his’n.

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