I hope you were reading the blog about a week ago when I called NC State one of the most dangerous double digit seeds in the NCAA tournament, because I said it was a decent possibility they’d make the 2nd week of the NCAAs. NC State is in Sweet 16 after defeating a very good Georgetown Hoya team 66-63.
From being the last team at-large team selected to Sweet 16, the 24-12 Wolfpack’s first season under Mark Gottfried has been an unmitigated success regardless of what happens from here on out. In fact just making the NCAAs made the season a huge success. This is all pure bonus for the upstart Wolfpack.
What’s I really enjoy about this Wolfpack squad is how much fun they are having. It was obvious from the moment they made the field to the win over Georgetown; NC State was going to savor every moment of this tournament.
It was yet another game where NC State had multiple scorers in double figures. This time there were four players, Lorenzo Brown, C.J. Leslie, C.J Williams, and Scott Wood all double digit scoring days. Richard Howell added 9 more. This is isn’t a deep team, but the top 5 are all very effective scorers. This makes NC State a matchup nightmare. Double down on the interior and sharpshooter Scott Wood is open. Try to extend your defense and C.J Leslie has room to operate. Play man to man and Lorenzo Brown can get to the basket. This is a good team and getting better. In their next game Purdue would be the preferable matchup over Kansas, but certainly the Wolfpack are capable of beating either.
Don’t expect this to be a one hit wonder either for the Wolfpack. Mark Gottfried has completely changed the culture of NC State basketball, and is bringing in one of the country’s top recruiting classes. NC State should be a destination that succeeds at basketball. There isn’t any reason why NC State can’t again be an elite basketball school. They have tradition, fan support, facilities and are in the heart of Tobacco Road.
I have a feeling over the course of the next few years this won’t be last time you see the last time you see NC State in the Sweet 16. Take a look below at the recap of NC State’s win from the ACCDN.
Leave a Reply