NCSU at BC +Addendum

Here’s a link to a USA Today column that is updated about twice a week. It's a who’s in, who’s out of the NCAA on a week by week basis.

Here's the direct web address:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/2008-bubble.htm

State was supposed to be the solid number 3 team in the ACC, a top 25 team for sure and maybe even a top 10 team. We were supposed to be making Duke and UNC sweat all season.

What a disappointment.

As it stands – UNC and Duke are the locks for the NCAA.

Right now, at best, the ACC is possibly deserving of a total of 4 teams in the tournament. Only 4 teams from what should be the preeminent power basketball conference.

How times have changed.

The way I see it – Clemson and Maryland are teams 3 and 4 right now.

If (and that’s a big IF) the ACC should go 5 deep – who in the world would be team number 5? State? VT? BC? GT? As far as I can tell – the middle of the ACC is pretty much middling.

I could make a case for 4 teams in the NCAA and 6 teams in the NIT. Leaving only 2 teams at home.

LOL

What a strange year for the ACC.

Anyway – it’s the second half of the season and if the Wolfpack wants a chance at the Big Dance – they’d better figure out how to play a solid 40 minute game. In a hurry.

Tonight at Boston College would be a good place to start.

Chip is going with me to the Clemson game Saturday. Lt. Col. Fritz has asked to go to the Duke game in 2 weeks. UNC and FSU games have not been claimed yet.

Coaching

When Herbie left for Arizona State, one of my favorite possible coaches was Kelvin Sampson.

At the time, he had gotten in a bit of NCAA trouble at Oklahoma and left for Indiana. He’s a successful coach and I figured the problems at Oklahoma were just a one time / learning curve deal.

Interestingly at the time, Kelvin never seemed to make it on the short list rumor mill. There was some talk, but most of it was that he wasn’t the type of coach we wanted at NC State. I often wondered if it was some latent racism – Kelvin’s a Lumbee Indian from southeastern NC.

Turns out – the folks ‘in the know’ knew what they were doing. Kelvin’s in some serious trouble at Indiana. Very serious and numerous NCAA violations. Not mistake type stuff – but out and out disregard the rules stuff.

Yikes – it’s good I wasn’t in charge of the search.

I’m so glad we got Sidney Lowe (current season not withstanding).

BTW

By the way – I’ve quit smoking.

Addendum

We stunk up the place last night. Not completely - we'd make a run - but we never took charge when we got close.

In the newspaper, Coach Lowe rightly pointed out that we can't win when only 3 or 4 guys show up to play.

I think he's starting to get a little pissed off.

It's about time.