Happy Camper

I'm watching NC State at Miami. Halftime and State's up by 12.

There's the second half to play. But still . . . .

With new coach Mark Gottfried we're much better than last year with essentially the same team. I had expected us to be a little better, heck, we couldn't get much worse. But we're way better than expected. I've tried to keep from getting too excited - it's early in the ACC and we haven't played Virginia, Dook, UNCheats or Florida State yet. But still - it's getting to the point where I'm kinda like - "Who Are These Guys?"

I know the guys wish they could play the Georgia Tech game over. Inexplicable loss - Especially considering how we've played in all the other games.

Also - yesterday's Florida State at Dook game was awesome with an incredible 0.6 seconds left shot!

I really enjoy ACC and NCAA basketball.

Addendum

State wins 78 to 73.

Next up - at UNCheat Thursday night.

Basketball +Addendum

I went to school in the late 70's. It was the heyday of NC State Basketball (through the 80's).

Since the late '80's, NC State Basketball has been irrelevant. That includes the mediocrity of the Sendeck coaching era.

I've gotten so used to State being pretty much nothing, that it was hard to get excited with our latest coaching change - although - I did like what I heard at the first annual Basketball Breakfast. Still - I'm a do it first, then talk about it kind of guy.

Well, the warm up season has looked pretty darn good. Including 3 losses that were almost wins. With essentially the same team as last year, we're looking way better. There is clearly some real coaching going on at NC State that hasn't been there for the last 5 years.

The ACC season has started with a win over Maryland. Tonight is Georgia Tech.

I'm beginning to buy in to the new coach. And dreaming that maybe, just maybe, NC State can get back to the way it used to be.

Back in the 1970's before ESPN or Fox Sports - college basketball on TV was unheard of. Except in ACC county where the conference put together its own TV broadcasts via the Jefferson Pilot Network.

Those of us who grew up in North Carolina will remember this -



Addendum

Reality Check. Georgia Tech beat us last night by 9 points. State actually looked like the better team. We just couldn't get shots to go in or force turnovers. Rebounding; play and position in the paint; open shots (which didn't go in); overall State looked better (except our defense which looked weak). But GT kept us off balance enough to win.

However, State never gave up and played to the very end.

So - any talk about State getting to the NCAAs this year is premature. We have to win the home games against GT to win the 10, or more likely 11, ACC games needed to make the tournament.

Last night's loss means we have to make it up somewhere unexpected. Maybe at Dook? At UNCheat? I doubt that's gonna happen.

Frankly, I'm OK with an NIT this year. Heck, I'd be very happy with an NIT this year. It's progress. And even in a loss, I like the way State is playing - as a team.

New Years 2012

 

 

Went to Raleigh's First Night. Wasn't as cold as usual.

Bowl Games

State held on to win 31 to 24 over Louisville last night in Charlotte.

David Amerson interception and touchdown.



Game Highlights



UNC lost 41 to 24 to Missouri in Shreveport Monday night.

Even though Missouri had already put the hurt on UNC by halftime and Shreveport is a long way from North Carolina - UNC (lack of) fan support was just plain pathetic. On the other hand, the UNC team didn't really show up either.

Christmas 2011 +Addendum

 

Archie and Bella visited for Christmas. They brought their pets, H, W and Jason.

Nice low key Christmas.

Right now W and H are over in Cary watching their grandchildren open Christmas gifts. Nuke has just built a fire in the fireplace. I'm writing this post and thinking about taking the dogs for a walk.

The relatives are in New York City and Warrenton, Virginia. Communicating via google chat.

W and H head back to Southport later today with the puppies.

Nuke is staying. Basketball season is about to start in earnest with ACC games in a little over a week.

Addendum

W & H gave me a Martini shaker and Grey Goose for Christmas. Monday I picked up some Noilly Prat and olives. Nuke said it was the perfect martini. I had a vodka and orange juice.

2011 Fall Cruise

Just got back from a cruise on the Celebrity Eclipse. It was nice. Click here for photos.

Now - on to the important stuff.



State will probably go to the Belk Bowl in Charlotte on December 27th.