Wolfpack Beats Michigan
Well the football season this year was a sorry thing to see. After beating FSU and BC we didn’t win another game all year, and in the end Amato was sacked. Unfortunately not much is expected in basketball this year either. This is Lowes first year coaching, and since he didn’t get to recruit since he was in the NBA, and since syndeks recruits bailed, and since our big guys went to the NBA, and since Brackman is just playing baseball, our team is basically left with absolutely no depth and not the greatest starting five. They are ranked last in the ACC and most likely rightly so. Its a building year.
However last night NC State won over Michigan in their first big test of the season. Despite losing Angin Atsur to injury (our team captain and strongest starter) the guys pulled out a big win, and did it in a fashionable manor. No last minute come from behinds or lucky shots. After being down 16-4 to start the game the wolfpack went on a 31-12 run to end the first half. Then opened the second half with a 19-6 run that put them solidly in a lead which they wouldn’t give up for the rest of the game.
Basically how they won was they used a zone defense that forced Michigan to take three pointers, something they are bad at. Against Duke this defense never would have worked, but against Michigan it was perfect and allowed the Wolfpack to pull off the upset. This is exciting because it is a demonstration of Sydney Lowe’s ability to coach. He saw what needed to be done, did it, and the results were perfect. Another great thing to see is the penetration by the State offense. It was always so agrivating watching Syndek constantly running the ball inside only to pass it out again, and try for a three. Lowe has his guys constantly dirving for the basket and finishing every play. Every shot taken is a high percentage shot. I would have loved to have seen some of the guys we have had in years past, like grundy and hodge, plugged into this new offense.
What does the future hold? Hopefully this is not the high point of the season. Hopefully we can pull off some ACC upsets and make it to the ACC tourney. This team may not be the most tallented but they are 5-0 and they are demonstrating that they are willing to out work and out hustle their oponents. A lot of times a team is good because of the talent it has. I am hoping this team will become better and better as the guys learn how to play better basketball. If they can stay healthy then maybe basketball season will be something of a redemption from that season which just ended.
