Deliberate word choice – the Pack didn’t lose the game – UNC just won it. When an opponent takes your best shot, and beats you fair and square…you shake their hands and move on.
Lots of positives – the all-around game of Calvin Leslie, the tenacity of Lorenzo Brown, the hustle and determination of DeShawn Painter. Most importantly, no shell shocked, deer in headlights look (that had me worried about a 7-9 finish on Saturday). In Chapel Hill, the Holes were clowning around most of the second half. Tonight, they had to fight for 40 minutes and it very much seemed like they respected the game we played.
Two benchmarks to keep your eye on – first, the very realistic goal of finishing with a winning league record. This would suffice for at least one home NIT game, which would be a nice reward for a season of great progress. The second is a longshot, but by no means a pipe dream – a five game winning streak that would earn the Pack an NCAAT bid (or four if State is the 4 seed in the ACCT).
But please, God – if the Pack can’t win the ACCT, please let a non-blue knock us out. Preferably, Florida State. Amen.
