State beats Clemson – now with 2 game ACC win streak

10-11 Basketball General NC State NCS Basketball109

In a season that has not gone anywhere that was planned or expected, there have been many more downs than ups. However, tonight the Wolfpack men beat Clemson 69-61 to record their 4th ACC win of the year and have now won two straight conference games. CJ Leslie, Richard Howell, Tracy Smith, and Javier Gonzalez lead the Pack to a come from behind win. Leslie recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Smith added 14 points. Richard Howell almost had a double-double in addition with 9 points and 10 boards. Gonzalez added 11 points and 3 assists and played probably his best game of the year.

Smith afterwards discussed the thoughts of the team about the memories from the disappointment at Little John last month.

“I think the guys remembered that game,” Smith said. “They thought about it and they knew it wasn’t going to happen this game. So they went out and fought hard for 40 minutes. We took care of the ball, we rebounded and I thought our defense was pretty good.”

It was a good performance by the team, which played better defense and rebounded much better. The Pack tries for a three game win streak on Sunday when they travel to College Park, which has been a house of horrors lately for NCSU.

About ruffles31

1996 NC State graduate who is still waiting on his first ACC conference championship in any of the four main revenue sports (football, men's basketball, women's basketball, and baseball) since enrolling. All I want is a ACC Champions t-shirt.

10-11 Basketball General NC State NCS Basketball

109 Responses to State beats Clemson – now with 2 game ACC win streak

  1. STLPack01 02/18/2011 at 12:28 AM #

    Here’s a question, why aren’t we fighting hard for 40 minutes, taking care of the ball, rebounding, and playing defense EVERY DAMN GAME???!?!!!111!!

    What frustrates me so much, is that if we play like this every night, we are a tournament team.

    Even so, despite Tracy’s comments, we did not rebound all that well. One of the reasons why the tiggers stayed around as much as they did is because they killed us on the offensive glass.

  2. NCStatePride 02/18/2011 at 12:31 AM #

    How long until we are told that Sid has turned a corner and now that NC State has had 5 bad years under Sid, they should follow the Sendek model of sticking with him 5 more years to be “where we deserve to be”?

  3. packman12 02/18/2011 at 1:15 AM #

    STLPack01-Not sure what game you were watching, but State out-rebounded the Tigers 46-38. C.J. and Howell were great on the boards with ten each. Nice win for the Pack!

  4. bigwolfpacker 02/18/2011 at 1:20 AM #

    Clemson did get inside too much early but we closed the door in the second half. I do think Sid is going to be given another year.

  5. BureauOfMines 02/18/2011 at 1:47 AM #

    “I do think Sid is going to be given another year.”

    On the basis of a 2 game win streak?

  6. wufpup76 02/18/2011 at 4:06 AM #

    Nice win for Sidney and the team. I’m happy for them. It was a good (noticeable!) effort, but there’s nothing to debate as far as a coaching change IMO.

    It’s just nice to enjoy a win, especially over a team that has owned us over the past few seasons. Really very happy for the team. Put in effort and you get results.

    At the risk of overstating the obvious, CJ Leslie had his best overall performance of the season. Played within himself and within the offense and was once again a beast on the boards. Also nice to see Javi have a good game before closing out his career.

    Go Pack

  7. Beamish 02/18/2011 at 5:18 AM #

    I think Sid will get another year based on recruiting performance. Last year’s team ranked 5th.

  8. Wufpacker 02/18/2011 at 5:37 AM #

    @NCStatePride:
    Not long I suspect. In fact, reading between the lines, perhaps it has already begun. After the game last night, this is one of the things Sid had to say:

    ““We’ve come out two consecutive games and played well,” Lowe said. “It’s showing our growth. Sometimes it takes a little bit longer than you want, but it seems like it’s starting to happen for us. Our young guys are getting experience. I like the way we are playing right now.

    “We are not where we are going to be, because we still have some growth. But I like where we are going.” ”

    Now, I realize that this might only be ‘coachspeak’ and he might not have any ulterior motives. But considering that we haven’t played all that fantastic the past two games (despite two wins), the “it’s starting to happen for us” statements seem misplaced….unless you’re lobbying for more time on the job.

    Good win either way, even despite not looking all that great doing it (ya gotta win the ugly ones, too).

    As far as Sid getting another year, I wouldn’t say it’s impossible. But there are five more games and at least one ACC Tournament game still left to go, and if he wants even a remote chance at sticking around for another year he better have the team looking sharp for those 6+ games.

    Even then it’s still a long shot (and should be).

  9. ncsumi 02/18/2011 at 6:45 AM #

    If the team has cooked up a nefarious plot that requires winning to keep Sid, I recommend that we don’t let on that we know about it to see how it plays out. I have hope our current admin will see thru their schemes when it ultimately fails — but we may reap some unexpected spoils along the way.

  10. kvegaspackfan 02/18/2011 at 7:59 AM #

    CJ Leslie’s confidence is growing. It is good to see him find his shot. I just wish he would not make himself small on his jump shots and underneath the glass. Use your length and agility to your advantage. that is why he gets his shot blocked so much.

  11. albunde6 02/18/2011 at 8:00 AM #

    If this team could win 4 out of 5 (with win over goats), or 5 out of 5. I would give him another year. I know this would not be popular, but peaking at the end of year gets you in to the dance.

  12. Wulfpack 02/18/2011 at 8:02 AM #

    Good win, probably the best of the season. Too bad it almost took the entire season to record it.

    This team is doing what I expected it to do. It will have a much better half and now we get to hear from Sid how far the team has come.

    I get it. It’s what he has to do and it is only fair to the players. I just don’t buy it. Didn’t then and don’t now.

  13. STLPack01 02/18/2011 at 8:12 AM #

    @packman12 I realize we won the overall rebounding margin, but nearly half of our rebounds were on the offensive glass. Offensive rebounds require athleticism and quickness, defensive rebounds require effort.

    I was watching the same game as you, and what I saw was our guys consistently not boxing out and always depending on their athletic ability to get rebounds. Don’t get me wrong, we rebounded well last night. But, as I said, the reason why the tiggers hung around was because we let them get multiple chances at the hoop. The stats say that they only had 12 offensive rebounds, but I just don’t see how that is possible when in several possessions in the second half alone they got several chances.

    Again, not saying it wasn’t a nice win, and I wasn’t very happy. I’m just articulating my frustration that we can’t do the fundamentals and can’t do them every single night we play.

  14. Rick 02/18/2011 at 8:24 AM #

    “How long until we are told that Sid has turned a corner and now that NC State has had 5 bad years under Sid, they should follow the Sendek model of sticking with him 5 more years to be “where we deserve to be”?”

    It has already started on the monkey boards. Those idiots are predicting 8-8.
    I did not ev

  15. Rick 02/18/2011 at 8:25 AM #

    “How long until we are told that Sid has turned a corner and now that NC State has had 5 bad years under Sid, they should follow the Sendek model of sticking with him 5 more years to be “where we deserve to be”?”

    It has already started on the monkey boards. Those idiots are predicting 8-8.
    I watched a few minutes of the game early on. It looked pretty empty.
    I just want Sid gone so I can have some hope.

  16. Rochester 02/18/2011 at 8:31 AM #

    Without a doubt, that was the best performance I’ve witnessed this year. Living in Upstate New York I haven’t gotten to see the other three ACC wins on TV. This was actually the first W I got to see since the George Mason game. That’s a lot of L’s. But they played hard last night and I’m glad they came away with the win. Nice to beat someone that came into the game with a winning record in the ACC.

    Also nice: That jackass Patrick didn’t mention Herb once all night.

  17. section2chuck 02/18/2011 at 8:38 AM #

    Looks like Sid and Co. have turned the corner…..

  18. nav 02/18/2011 at 8:49 AM #

    Some Pack fans need a grip on reality. The team has won two friggin games. One against the possibly worst ACC team in the history of the conference and the other against a mediocre, only has a good record because the ACC sucks, Clemson team. I’m happy to see the team winning but honestly if it ultimately costs me another year of Lowe ball we are bettor off losing the rest of the season. Sad to say.
    Have we sunk this low where winning two games in BB is that big of a deal…I guess we have.
    Sorry to rant.

  19. mak4dpak 02/18/2011 at 8:49 AM #

    Okay guys please don’t deem this some sort of championship, as Clemson also lost to Virginia, and the ACC only has a few teams that will make the big dance. I guage Sid’s success on quality wins over the top teams, and I hardly think Clemson has shown that consistency, with a first year coach. We have the talent, but a new leader is needed, as we continue to be mired in mediocrity. I still vote for Sid’s departure. But I will say I was quite impressed with Leslie’s performance after all the bad mouthing he got from this site. The guy has talent.

  20. Rick 02/18/2011 at 8:50 AM #

    “Looks like Sid and Co. have turned the corner…..”

    As long as that corner is the one in the unemployment line

  21. Pack1997 02/18/2011 at 8:53 AM #

    Back to back wins and we have turned a corner? Seriously? We have no shot at the Dance unless we win the ACC Tourney. No team will win the ACC Tourney that has to play Thursday through Sunday.

    Some of you on here amaze me. At the first sign of something positive you jump on it. I get it, we havent had anything positive for awhile. Take a step back look at it objectively and you will see there is no reason to bring Sid back at this time.

  22. Whiteshoes67 02/18/2011 at 9:01 AM #

    The only corner Lowe has turned is the one that will lead him out the door. Hopefully, he can exit without falling on his face, so a few more wins would be nice. Not trying to take anything away from the team–good win last night–but really, how likely do you think it is that Richard Howell will go 1 for 1 from 3, Leslie 2 for 3 or 2 for 4 from behind the arc? Seriously, you think you can depend on those percentages? Clemson also shot an abysmal percentage from behind the arc last night, and many were uncontested threes.

    This is typical Lowe. Individual players and his teams have always shown improvement in certain areas, that isn’t the problem. But like so many have said, he treats it like an NBA season. The team isn’t prepared to play early in the year, the rotation isn’t anywhere close to being set when it should be. And fundamentals like boxing out and movement on offense–essential to grinding out college games with young players–are missing. If his team falls behind by more than a few buckets, they fold like beach chairs.

  23. packplantpath 02/18/2011 at 9:06 AM #

    “Looks like Sid and Co. have turned the corner….”

    LOL, when walking in circles, one occasionally finds oneself pointed in the right direction.

  24. Wufpacker 02/18/2011 at 9:22 AM #

    “No team will win the ACC Tourney that has to play Thursday through Sunday. ”

    I’m not sure I’d go that far, but I will say that OUR team will not win four in four days. The talent is there, but the effort and concentration are nowhere near consistent enough to expect that could happen.

  25. tractor57 02/18/2011 at 9:26 AM #

    I saw some positives and some negatives last night.

    Better focus and effort than I have seen. That focus and effort being spread across both halves of the game. Obviously Leslie has talent and he he is focused …

    Negatives I saw. That focus wavered at times. Blocking out on rebounding seemed to be by accident, still way too many defensive lapses and some poor choices in ball handling.

    The overall effort made then team competitive with Clemson. Late in the game they didn’t crack unlike Clemson.

    Good win – some signs of growth but still a long way from what I personally would like to see on the court.

1 2 3 … 5

Leave a Reply