Yes, Tomorrow Is Very Important

No doubt, you’ve heard the concept of “house money” applied to the 2014-15 Wolfpack. Although the players aren’t just “happy to be here (in the Sweet Sixteen)” there is a consistent undercurrent in the media that State made its bones by knocking off Villanova and can now run along while the big boys finish their apéritifs.

I humbly suggest we yank away the tablecloth instead.

There’s a reason we give the Elite Eight a separate nickname, between the Sweet Sixteen and the Final Four, while no such treatment is given to the Round of 32. It means something. Making the Sweet Sixteen separates the teams that make true “Cinderella runs” from those that merely get hot for a game. And making the Elite Eight further separates wheat from chaff – you’re more than a Cinderella run, you have every right to be taken seriously as a true contender. That’s the level of respect you earn by making the Regional Final.

Think back to March of 1986, when V’s charges fell to a late Danny Manning-led Kansas comeback. State lost in the Regional Final for the second straight year (Chris Mullin and St. John’s in 1985), but this was fast becoming Wolfpack territory, with 3 appearances in 4 seasons.

Then the next 28 seasons happened. Those that track the tournament on newsprint brackets (like I still do) never had the chance to write “NC State” on that line again.

It’s time to right that historical wrong, and start a new golden age of Wolfpack basketball. It starts by making the Elite Eight, and having the nation’s full attention on Sunday. This is the right team, the right coach, and the right moment.

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.

14-15 Basketball Mark Gottfried

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Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 76 total)
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  • #82685
    BJD95
    Keymaster

    No doubt, you’ve heard the concept of “house money” applied to the 2014-15 Wolfpack. Although the players aren’t just “happy to be here (in the Sweet Sixteen)” there is a consistent undercurrent in the media that State made its bones by knocking off Villanova and can now run along while the big boys finish their apéritifs.

    I humbly suggest we yank away the tablecloth instead.

    [See the full post at: Yes, Tomorrow Is Very Important]

    #82686
    Wulfpack
    Participant

    You MUST take advantage of these rare opportunities. They are few and far between. We knocked off the top seed, there are some fairly average teams left, one of which we’ve already knocked off rather easily. I mean, if not now, when? This is the time.

    #82687
    Fastback68
    Participant

    I bought a new bottle of Stranahan’s. 3-0 with the first bottle. Clemson, LSU, Nova. Win going away State. Pre-dawn Saturday wake up call.

    #82688
    JohnGalt78
    Participant

    I like our position….now the number one seed, having replaced Nova. Yet, we receive no respect. We won’t get any after beating L’ville either. And we won’t get any by making it to the final four. We’ll be a fluke. We’ll be like the 83 team when we made it to New Mexico. Not a chance in the world. And that’s just fine with me. Carpe Diem boys!

    #82689
    BJD95
    Keymaster

    For we do have that chance to prove ourselves…tomorrow:

    #82694
    wufpup76
    Keymaster

    It is indeed the right time, good sir.

    #82695
    PapaJohn
    Participant

    This is the right team, the right coach, and the right moment.

    Goosebumps! That there, my friend, is well written.

    I’ll admit to being in the “just make it to the second weekend” group. If you lose in the first weekend – either ‘first four’, round of 64, or round of 32 – everyone just says you “made the tournament.” And that is very nice. There are roughly 300 (?) teams that would love to be in that designation.

    But if you make the second weekend, as the author noted, you are included in a much more select designation – S16, E8, F4, Finals, or won it all. That’s worth so much more in prestige – recruiting, TV time slots, chest thumping, etc.

    Now, I want to see the Tobacco Road Final Four. (the Triangle plus whoever) It is probably ‘struck by lightening’ unlikely, but that would be one of the great moments in college basketball history as far as I am concerned.

    #82696
    Khan
    Participant

    We WILL win. That is all.

    #82697
    choppack1
    Participant

    Tomorrow’s game is about respect. We still don’t have it – and truthfully, we’ve done nothing to earn it. We’ve lost in our last 3 trips to the sweet 16.

    Until we do more – we’ ll be viewed as nothing but a solid team that wins individual big games but doesn’t consistently perform at a high level or hang banners. L

    #82699
    baccapacker
    Participant

    ^^ I’m loving Khan’s confidence lately, straight to the point. This has been a very long week and I cannot wait for tomorrow. I will be sipping Busch lights, don’t hate, its the beer of my college days and the beer of this tournament.

    #82700
    JeremyH
    Participant

    Busch light = good juju juice

    #82701
    baccapacker
    Participant

    ^ Amen!

    #82702
    JasonP
    Participant

    The first half of the LSU game drove me to bourbon, which was also my drink for the Nova game (although much less). I’ll be sipping that again tomorrow night – same bottle as well.

    #82703
    Alpha Wolf
    Keymaster

    Spot on, BJD. We really do need to take advantage of this opportunity. That will help establish the program as a serious player, and will help immeasurably with recognition and recruiting…which fuels additional success.

    I’ll be happy to see the day when “Cinderella” and “surprising” are not attached to NC State when it does make it to the second weekend. With his .500 batting average of getting the Wolfpack to the S16 so far, we have a real opportunity to do exactly that.

    At the same time, I fully realize the opponent will have their say on Friday night too, but if this team comes out swinging and keeps battling until zeros in the second half, I like our chances.

    #82704
    Alpha Wolf
    Keymaster

    Jason,

    I wore the same sweatshirt Thursday and Saturday nights, and it’s going on tomorrow afternoon. I also haven’t shaved since then, and won’t until we win. Yeah, superstitions are silly…I’m sure the length of my beard has exactly nothing to do with how State plays in Syracuse, but I ain’t going to chance it.

    #82706
    BJD95
    Keymaster

    I changed into all black at halftime of the LSU game (and changed socks), wore that for duration of Nova. Needless to say, will do that again. Refusing to even wash the socks JUST IN CASE.

    Since I can’t wear red for us, I’m using it today for Wisconsin. A whole Pack of Badgers indeed!

    #82707
    wufpup76
    Keymaster

    I have gone full anti-wufpup through this tournament and ignored superstitions.

    I’ve been twitching like a drug addict all week.

    #82708
    wufpup76
    Keymaster

    Don’t worry though, the game thread tomorrow will be good juju approved.

    #82709
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    Changed shirt (and hat too) at halftime of LSU as well, same combo for ‘Nova. Have not worn (or washed) either one since then so as not to use up or rinse away the mojo.

    Just doing my part.

    #82711
    Gene
    Participant

    wore the same sweatshirt Thursday and Saturday nights, and it’s going on tomorrow afternoon. I also haven’t shaved since then, and won’t until we win. Yeah, superstitions are silly…I’m sure the length of my beard has exactly nothing to do with how State plays in Syracuse, but I ain’t going to chance it.

    Superstitions are not silly.

    The extra weight of your beard will nudge the tilt of the Earth a small fraction of a nano-meter in one direction, which could be the difference of a ball bouncing off the side of the rim into oblivion or bouncing into the bucket for a game winning lefty-hook shot.

    #82715
    MISTA WOLF
    Participant

    I will be drinking my PBR for the third time during the tournament. Funny how a tourney run can make you feel like you’re a college kid again.

    #82716
    BJD95
    Keymaster

    I will be drinking my PBR for the third time during the tournament. Funny how a tourney run can make you feel like you’re a college kid again.

    Not for those of us who attended from 1991-95, LMAO.

    NOT THAT I’M EXTREMELY BITTER OR ANYTHING!!!

    #82717
    MP
    Participant

    Not for those of us who attended from 1991-95, LMAO.

    NOT THAT I’M EXTREMELY BITTER OR ANYTHING!!!

    LOL. I hear ya. Signed, C/o 1994

    #82718
    Alpha Wolf
    Keymaster

    Let’s just get the good juju started now:

    #82720
    MP
    Participant

    And regarding the post:

    No doubt, you’ve heard the concept of “house money” applied to the 2014-15 Wolfpack.

    I can’t help but think that Gott is POUNDING this into our guys. “You guys have already made your run, right? That’s what everyone says.” Etc.

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