State loses to Wake.

Ugly.

After trailing 47-35 at half and then 53-42 with 18:09 to play, Wake trounced State with an aggressive, efficient 40-19 surge over the next 14:19 and led 82-72 at the under four-minute TV timeout. State had multiple opportunities to tie (and even win) in the final minute, but missed three-of-four free throws and then missed two field goals (on one of which Leslie was clearly fouled, no call).

This just hasn’t been a good team since beating Duke (and it certainly hasn’t played with any consistency). Blame the officials if you want, but Wake was clearly the better team tonight and deserved to win. And that’s damn tragic.

Box Score (ESPN).

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12-13 Basketball

86 Responses to State loses to Wake.

  1. MrPlywood 01/23/2013 at 12:49 PM #

    Retweeting does not necessarily indicate an endorsement, but it is usually taken that way. Twitter is a dangerous tool. State fans were happy when it backfired on uNX.

    For my part, I didn’t see much out of TDT while he was at State.

    And the header of TDT’s Twitter page says: “I can do all things through christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13”. I guess he gathered all that strength and hit “send”…

  2. Mike 01/23/2013 at 1:07 PM #

    Everyone take a deep breath and step away from the ledge.

    Now, we are blessed to have what we have in Coach Gott. So far, he has been a miracle worker with what he has had to work with. Has he made mistakes? maybe, but who hasn’t or wouldn’t?

    Be careful, Louisville just lost their 2nd straight after earning the #1 ranking. Anyone checked the boards over there to see if they are trying to run Pitino out of town?

  3. state73 01/23/2013 at 1:19 PM #

    Agree 100% with MIKE.

  4. budfox88 01/23/2013 at 1:28 PM #

    Is it me, or does Gott wait just too long to take the first timeout every game we’re in trouble. I think it would serve better to regroup the team and refocus before the fenders start rattling. It may not keep the wheels from coming off but it sure reminds me of Sendek. Something is killing team confidence, as a result, missing shots my 6yr old could make.

    Shot 22% of 3ptrs and 56% of FTs in WF loss. Avg this season vs ACC opponents is 39.3% and 67.1% respectively. Thats not just a problem, its way off! Shot 48.6% FG vs WF which is not that far below our avg for season of 51%, but our avg vs ACC opponent is 45.75%. This can’t go unnoticed by our coaches?

    My opinion, CJLeslie is the “star” with maybe the most NBA potential, which makes him the defacto leader (esp to the younger protoge’). Everyone looks to him for direction (even the PG), whether it’s to build on a lead or come from behind or make clutch free-throws, whatever!! This is why the TV is trained on him more even when he is on the bench. R Howell is doing great and carrying the team a lot of the time, when he’s not sick. If your defacto leader/star plays hard the team is inspired. If he’s in a coma, the team is uninspired. He can keep his personal numbers up with bursts of brilliance, but he hurts the team numbers by sleeping most of the game. CJL, I love you man, but PLEASE play an entire game with as much heart as I know you have, and you will see the team respond around you. Then, I would predict a blowout for us no matter who we play!!!!!!!

  5. Mike 01/23/2013 at 1:38 PM #

    Dook lost last year to Lehigh in round 1 of NCAA! Was anyone calling out K for being a bad coach?

    Does Coach Gott shoot the FT’s in the games? Last I checked, Gott is still in his suit and not shorts and a tank top.

    Coach Lutz – “Hey Mark, what do you think – maybe we should practice shooting FT’s today.” Coach Gott – “no Bobby, probably not a good idea, we need to work on our dunks instead.”

    I hate to quote ol Huckleberry Hound a few miles west, but I will for this – he said something about being a great coach after winning the championship – yesterday I was a dumb coach and today I won so now I am brilliant but I did not get any smarter by winning a game, or something along those lines. All of you praising Gott last year and now roasting him – did he forget how to coach in the off season? Did he lose brain power?

  6. Gene 01/23/2013 at 1:38 PM #

    Year 2 of a rebuilding process, which to me shows up as not having upper classmen, who can demand a level of performance from other players and the lack of depth caused by the numerous transfers from the program.

    I’ll chalk up the transfers to growing pains of a new coach.

    We’re way ahead of where anyone thought we’d be on the court and with regards to recruiting.

    At this point, I can live one WTF loss. We just can’t have anymore.

    Also, I don’t know what to do about Leslie. He seems to really have checked out the last couple of games. Hope he gets his head on straight Saturday.

  7. BAC79 01/23/2013 at 2:53 PM #

    Gene: So far we have had more than one WTF loss. Maryland and now this, also don’t forget Clemson shot themselves in the foot their last two possessions on Sunday night.

    Of the six ACC games we have played, we played well in exactly ONE GAME!!! The remaining games could well have been losses. Right now we look very unsound on fundamentals i.e. position on defense, lazy passes, bad ball screens, terrible free throw shooting. This has become the norm not the exception.

    We are also suffering from lack of effort which is unexcusable. I would prefer to see lesser players get minutes than see some of our “stars” loafing up and down the court. Some of our starters need a little bench time to get their heads screwed on straight.

    Harvey Penick said if you play bad one day forget it, if you continue to play bad check your fundamentals. We need a fundamental reality check and fast.

  8. ncsu1987 01/23/2013 at 3:27 PM #

    “Does it stink that we lost to Oklahoma State and Wake instead of UConn and Duke, yes, but is it the end of the world, no. ”

    It is not the end of the world, and it also doesn’t stink. Those wins at UConn and Duke will mean more on Selection Sunday that the losses to Oklahoma State and Wake will. Bear in mind that on RPI Duke=#1, UConn=#30; while Wake is by far our worst loss so far they are still #107. Other high profile teams will have “worse” losses. UNX has 2 already.

    And even with the Wake loss factored in, we’re still #16 (RPI).

  9. mak4dpak 01/23/2013 at 8:24 PM #

    If we have anymore big wins, please ban any national media attention. We have not been the same since our upset of Duke. All the coverage over the oncourt rescue by Leslie. Guess he let it all go to his head, and out of his hand. Hope he and the rest of the guys, especially the seniors will decide to show up the rest of the season. We were so close to being undefeated in the ACC. 2 losses by a total of 3 points. Not bad, but we should have won. Here is hoping we begin a new streak against our enemies from Chapel Hell. As for the Coach, he is a good coach, and TDT is a poor sport, who had his chances, but really showed nothing when he played. Obviously needs to grow up to. Pretty adolescent to tweet such.

  10. state73 01/23/2013 at 8:51 PM #

    Miami just destroyed Duke. I reckon everyone who says Gott can’t coach are now saying K can’t coach. Home court means more in college basketball than any other sport! Lighten up.

  11. Ransompack 01/24/2013 at 5:44 AM #

    Did anybody else see Leslie jerk his arm away from Goach Gott during a TO in the second half? Looks like there is something going on behind the scenes

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