My old English teachers would take off points if you did not adequately defend your thesis in an essay. Obviously Ned Barnett’s editors do not share that philosophy. Ned claims that this year is a defining season for Sendek, but never really provides adequate justification for that claim. As far as I can tell, the only way that this basketball season is a defining one for Herb Sendek is if it starts a new definition, instead of continuing the one we already have.
“Stalling at pretty good� is a frightenly accurate description of the last four years of State BB. Ned mislabels this perception as a fear of State fans, but I can not think of a more accurate description of the recent past. In fact this definition can be used to divide State fans into three categories:
1) There are some that agree with the definition and are happy with this situation. Removing the ridicule that defined the Les Robinson and early Sendek years satisfies these fans. Unfortunately for me, this group includes Lee Fowler and a number of influential boosters.
2) There are some that would disagree mightily with this definition. This group constantly finds new ways to define success so that they can then claim that State has already achieved it. This group defines success in ways such as:
– Discussing ACC tournament winning percentage instead of ACC championships.
– Defining “competitive” in ways that doesn’t require wins.
– Discussing consecutive years of making the NCAA tournament without discussing how few games have been won there.
– Favoring “consistency” over meaningful accomplishments.
3) The third group is old enough to remember when State routinely competed at the top of the ACC, not just the middle. They remember when State had more ACC championships than Duke or UNC. They are appreciative of what Sendek has accomplished, but are far from satisfied. They are afraid that we have seen the best that Sendek can produce. I don’t know how many of “us� there are, but this is exactly how I feel.
I hope that Barnett is right and this becomes a defining season for NC State and Herb Sendek. Lord knows I have waited long enough for a new definition.
