A Season Comes to an End

It still doesn’t seem quite real. But indeed, Kansas held on for a 60-57 victory. Two weary fighters staggered to the finish line, with State landing a nice flurry of punches in the 11th round. Alas, there was nothing left for #12…and Kansas remained upright, winning on points.

I’m not angry, and I’m fully satisfied with the 2011-12 season. But I am sad, sad that there is no second act to look forward to this weekend. Sad that this particular, never say die unit will never play together again. We have seen the last game action for CJ Williams and Alex Johnson, probably for Calvin Leslie as well (at least for those of us who can’t bear to watch the NBA).

But they’ve all secured a place in our hearts forever. That never dies, never stops, never even really fades away. They brought back NC State basketball’s pride, and self-respect. That second part is more important than any media recognition, and Mark Gottfried’s greatest achievement.

I hope Calvin comes back, and leads an even greater run. But he’s a legend regardless, for his heart, determination, and quiet (unless you count gum smacking) leadership.

Thank you, players and staff. Thank you, one and all. Good night.

About BJD95

1995 NC State graduate, sufferer of Les and MOC during my entire student tenure. An equal-opportunity objective critic and analyst of Wolfpack sports.

NCS Basketball

77 Responses to A Season Comes to an End

  1. tuckerdorm1983 03/24/2012 at 6:42 AM #

    they showed us that we do not have a premier big man inside to guard the basket. they had a fair game and we had a fair game. The tie goes to them. I see Calvin back next year.

  2. bill-1956 03/24/2012 at 7:24 AM #

    It has been a ton of fun watching this team play. Key word is team. Thanks guys.

  3. WolftownVA81 03/24/2012 at 7:28 AM #

    Agree with all the sentiments expressed above. How can you not appreciate this team for what they accomplished, their attitude, fortitude and genuine love for each other. Great job coaches, players and staff. You have instilled pride back into Wolfpack basketball. This season will go down in our history not as the most successful, but the second most magical IMO.

  4. vtpackfan 03/24/2012 at 7:33 AM #

    Love this team, program on the march back to prominence.

  5. TLeo 03/24/2012 at 7:33 AM #

    That was a great article from Doyel. I am disapointed like everybody else is to lose last night but damn, I’m proud of this team and coaches. I expected only to see some improvement from the past seasons but what we got was amazing improvement over the course of the season.They deserved to go as far as they did and just came up a bit short last night. Congratulations on a great season and thanks!

  6. motorhead 03/24/2012 at 7:36 AM #

    Great season. Nice to have some excitement in the program. A year ago it didn’t look like this was possible. I’m glad the reds let them play and its hard to blame fouls when shooting % is that low. Unfortunately I think Leslie leaves but I hope I’m wrong. Go Pack!

  7. Pack78 03/24/2012 at 7:54 AM #

    Great job, Pack…the foundation is laid and the building process is ongoing. Wood told Gott early on that he did not want to be part of a rebuilding year-mission accomplished. I think Calvin comes back and we kick a$$ and take names (blue names) next year.

  8. wolfbuff 03/24/2012 at 7:57 AM #

    Wolfpack Nation stands tall thanks in large part to our basketball ambassadors. It was a great run which brought back so much excitement. For that, I’ll always be grateful. The tournament run aside, just watching this team play was enjoyable. Indeed Valvano is smiling. I think the curse has been lifted.

  9. graywolf 03/24/2012 at 7:58 AM #

    Bravo! Well stated and truthful. Those of us that have lived through the purgatory years of Robinson, Sendek, and Lowe are forever grateful to chancellor Woodson, Dr. Yow, Coach Gottfried, the basketball staff and our wonderful players for giving us this year of basketball like no other since Valvono’s last run.
    I for one am forever grateful to all that made this season of basketball fun again!!

  10. motorhead 03/24/2012 at 8:02 AM #

    Pack78 I hope you’re right about Leslie. Id rather think of him as leaving and be pleasantly surprised. There’s nothing in the NBA that compares to the excitement of March Madnesss. Hopefully he wants another taste of that.

  11. Wulfpack 03/24/2012 at 8:03 AM #

    Very proud to be a Wolfpacker today. Those boys and coaches gave it their all, and came up just shy of an appearance in the Elite 8. Anything is possible and I believe our team truly knows that. We are going to be a very tough out in the years ahead, that is for certain. Congrats on a great season.

  12. Rick 03/24/2012 at 8:16 AM #

    What a great season. The highs and the lows were pretty pronounced. I was not sure we would win again after the Duke game but this team showed me what heart and cohesiveness can do. I will always have a fondness for this team and how they started what I beleive will be a long road of success.

    And Gott is well on his way to becoming another legend .. wait for it .. dary figure in NCSU folk lore.

  13. Lumpy 03/24/2012 at 8:16 AM #

    Great season. Great run. Can’t wait to see these guys suit suit up next year. This team left it all out on the floor on every game for the last month. To everyone who loved to ask “What do those NC State fans expect?”, this team is your answer.

  14. ILpackfan 03/24/2012 at 8:18 AM #

    Just want to add my congratulations to the players and staff for everything this season. Exceeded every expectation and went down swinging. This is the kind of success you can build on. Can’t wait to mix in 3 McD’s next season.

  15. carolinadadstateson 03/24/2012 at 8:26 AM #

    For an overview of what it’s like to be a State fan, see this:

    http://deadspin.com/5895657/

  16. MP 03/24/2012 at 8:26 AM #

    Yes, It does come to an end. I was awfully disappointed last night. But I sure feel refreshed this morning by this team and season as a whole.

    Three plays in the final minute that cost us – Feels similar to the ACCT semifinals (other than the addition of poor refs). The lost rebound on the missed FT; The foot on the sideline after a dangerous pass; The failure to dump the ball to Wood on the last shot.

    But like the ACCT semifinal, all can be forgiven by the effort of the team that allowed us to be in that position. I have never seen a team get more out of itself than this one. These were games that were so easy to lose by 10+. But the team’s determination would not let that happen. A remarkable team!

  17. Rick 03/24/2012 at 8:33 AM #

    I wonder if Vandy saw that game and realized what he could be…

  18. 61Packer 03/24/2012 at 8:38 AM #

    I’m already looking forward to next season. Haven’t felt this way since the early 1990s.

  19. Barnette2Holt 03/24/2012 at 8:43 AM #

    Good season with a super finish. This group showed a lot of heart. Just a little spilled milk here: Howell wasn’t last to touch that deflection, and Calvin was hacked on that final layup attempt. But we missed a lot of open looks down the stretch.
    Way to go PACK! Wolfpack Nation is proud of you today. Special thanks to the seniors for sticking it out for some tough years.

  20. BJD95 03/24/2012 at 8:53 AM #

    Yes, I wondered if in the excitement, Howell lost track of the clock. Because Woo was wide-assed open and asking for the ball. I can’t actively pull for them, but I want Marshall to play and the Holes win now, so I feel less bad about almost making it to New Orleans.

  21. Hawkeye Whitney 03/24/2012 at 8:57 AM #

    I hope Calvin will stick with us one more year, and I think he would be in the discussion as an All-American. Thanks to Debbie, Mark, CJ, Alex and all of the Wolfpack Team (using first names because I feel like I know you). Now Wolfpack Nation, let’s turn our attention to the baseball diamond for a while. There is no reason we shouldn’t set a national championship as our goal.

    Play Ball!

  22. BJD95 03/24/2012 at 9:03 AM #

    I honestly thought Howell did deflect the missed FT out of bounds. I do think Calvin was hacked, but that was consistently not called all night. Probably why we played for the tie with 13.5 left rather than drive the lane and force another tense 1-and-1. I do love our “under 4 seconds” playcalling, though. V would approve.

  23. packistanbul 03/24/2012 at 9:08 AM #

    Very proud of wolfpack. Could have won last night, lost a very tight and intense game to a good team. After seeing UNC game and watching ours I thought the winner will move to Final Four. That’s basketball though, you play your best and even then sometimes you lose. The team has showed us that times will come soon when we are not only playing in the second weekend of the tournament.

  24. tuckerdorm1983 03/24/2012 at 9:19 AM #

    we will be a force to deal with next year, especially in Mr. Calvin Jerome Leslie stays.

  25. packistanbul 03/24/2012 at 9:20 AM #

    I forgot to tell this team exceeded my ‘unrealistic expectations’…

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