SI Top 25 Previews; Pack in at #5

OK, so now that all that silly Red vs Blue, us against them election bullchit is over with, finally; and now that I can again hopefully get thru one day without countless unsolicited calls for this party or that, and often for candidates not even on my local ballot; I thought it was high time to get back to the really important stuff in life and some Red vs Blue that really matters (ha, see what I did there?)….

….IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR COLLEGE BASKETBALL, BITCHES!!!! 😀

I’ve been trying like hell to temper my hopes and expectations for the upcoming ’12-’13 campaign, but I have to honestly say that the closer it gets to the regular season tipping off, and the more top ten prognostications I see….most of which have included the Wolfpack as the odds on favorite to take their first ACC Championship since Jimmy V roamed the sidelines and Vinny Del Negro displayed just how cool a white Italian kid can really be (25 freaking years man….just, wow)….Well, let’s just say I’m like a kid hoping to get that Red Ryder BB gun come Christmas morning.  And I don’t even care if I shoot my eye out.

I’d gladly agree to go blind in one eye in exchange for the Pack living up to the billing and hype that it’s been receiving thus far in the months leading up to the tip off of the season.  Hell, I’m all but blind already without corrective lenses, so what’s a little more?

For those of you living under a rock…or maybe so enamored with the two party system that the really important things in life have escaped your grasp recently…The regular season gets underway two days from now when the Wolfpack hosts the RedHawks from Miami of OH at PNC (don’t call me RBC) Arena.  Tip off is set for 7pm and the game is televised (sort of) on ESPN3.

–

Hidden under the distractions and noise that was Election Day 2012 on Tuesday was the release of Sports Illustrated’s Top 25 College Basketball Preview.

The direct link to the preview page for the #5 ranked NC State Wolfpack is here, but here’s a little taste anyway….

#5  N.C. State Wolfpack

2011-12 Record: 24-13 (9-7 in ACC)

Head Coach: Mark Gottfried

TEAM OUTLOOK
Senior swingman Scott Wood is a true believer. When almost everyone else was talking about NC State rebuilding under new coach Mark Gottfried, the Wolfpack shooting guard was focused on making the NCAA tournament. NC State not only made the tournament for the first time since 2006, it also advanced to the Sweet 16. With four starters back and three McDonald’s All-Americans arriving, Wood has bigger goals for this season.

[snip]

NEWCOMERS
For the first time ever, NC State signed three McDonald’s All-Americans in the same class. Tyler Lewis is a pure, pass-first point guard who led Oak Hill Academy to a 44-0 record. Rodney Purvis is the most physically gifted of the three freshmen and will likely start at the off guard. T.J. Warren, whose father played shooting guard for the Wolfpack in the late 1970s, is a shooter who is more comfortable on the wing, but he will have to play some minutes in the post due to depth issues.

FINAL ANALYSIS
The door’s open for NC State to win the ACC’s regular season for the first time since 1989. North Carolina and Duke lost six NBA first-round picks between them and are both vulnerable to a veteran team with talent like State’s. But the Wolfpack went 9-7 in the ACC and will have to make a leap to the 12- or 13-win range. With elite talent like Leslie and Brown, Gottfried and the Wolfpack will have a chance “to do more” during the 2012-13 season. Just how much more will depend on if the Pack can pick up where they left off last season.

A pretty fair assessment I’d say, and a ranking that might even be arguably higher than fair, all things considered.

But regardless of the hype and/or accuracy of the various predictions and prognostications the Pack has recently been receiving, none of it means squat.  But in a little over two days it’ll be time to lace those Chuck Taylor’s up nice and tight (yeah, sorry….I’m a throwback) and take the floor and begin doing what’s necessary to kick ass and take names, hopefully on the way to a trip to Atlanta to end the season.

But one step at a time there Wuf!!   :D  Let’s start by taking care of business Friday evening and sending the RedHawks back to Oxford, Ohio with a humiliating defeat under their belts.

But back to pie eyed dreaming for just a minute…It’s hard for me to believe this, but the 20 year anniversary of Jimmy V’s death will soon by upon us (4-28-93).  Not to mention the 30 year anniversary of the ’83 National Championship (holy chit I’m getting old).

–

And for more discussion of all things NC State, including Pack Basketball and the upcoming ’12-’13 season and the expectations thereof, get your tail over to the SFN Forums and start reading and contributing.  Participation of Pack fans like you (yes…YOU!!!) is what drives our community.  We have a great bunch of folks already, but it would be SOOOOO much better if you (yes…YOU!!!) popped over and joined us!!!!

Here’s the link again, and don’t make me come find you and drag you there kicking and screaming….because you know I will 😀

–