Has this season been a disappointment?

12-13 Basketball Editor's Picks General Mark Gottfried73

This basketball season has had a lot of peaks and valleys. We started out the year with a preseason top ten ranking, were predicted to win the ACC and Leslie was the leading candidate for ACC player of the year. All of this hype was generated by the Pack’s amazing Sweet Sixteen run along with the addition of three McDonald’s All Americans. We lost badly to Oklahoma State in the Puerto Rican tournament and then did well in a loss to highly ranked Michigan. We beat both Duke and UNC but lost to Wake. Brown gets hurt and we lose three straight but the injury gives Lewis an opportunity and he performs better than even the most optimistic of us thought he would. Brown returns and we have won 6 of our last 7 games with a chance to finish 4th in the ACC.

So the question becomes were the initial expectations realistic? I thought coming into the season we could be a top ten team but were not there yet. There were a lot of things our team needed to improve on, one of the key being leadership. Johnson and Williams were great leaders and none of the current players seem to have that ability. Howell does a great job of leading by example but none of the other upperclassmen are vocal leaders. Another thing the team lacked was defense. Whether they did not know how or did not think they needed to, they did not play good defense at the beginning of the year. The same can be said for rebounding and playing with constant intensity. Let’s talk about the individual players.

Howell
Is there a player who has improved more than Howell? He reshaped his body, learned how to play defense without fouling and has thrived in the high post offense. Not only does he sport the best beard in college basketball, he also out hustles everyone. He worked his way unto the All ACC first team. He is the best player on the team. He has exceeded my expectations this year.

Wood
Wood is an elite shooter. When he has an open shot he rarely misses (at least at home). The problem is he rarely gets open and he has never developed a pump fake. As an aside, how can you not develop a pump fake? My 8 year old can do a pump fake. Which highlights my biggest problem with Wood, he is essentially the same player now as he was a freshman. He is a great shooter but is lacking in most other areas. I am very glad he is on our team but he has not improved like I thought he would.

Brown
He had a rough start to the year. His shot was not working and he was getting beat on defense. Since his injury he has been very good. His speed on the break and passing ability allow us to get a lot of easy buckets. But he also scores well in the half-court offense and has really picked up his defense. He is now playing how I expected him to play.

Leslie
The question every game is “Will it be Calvin or CJ?” He is so athletically gifted but so lacking in fundamentals it is frustrating. It is not a case of effort. I have rarely seen a lack of effort from him. I think he is actually trying TOO hard. There was an early game in which he was getting double teamed but was able to still score and after the game Leslie said something to the effect of “coach wants me play through the double team”. And since that time he has tried to do that. The thing is, if he would kick the ball back out, it would both ease the double team as well give the guards open shots. He is willing to pass but he only passes to players near the basket. He never looks back out. His footwork is pretty bad as well which leads to way too many travelling calls. I love Calvin and am glad he is a Pack player but he has definitely not lived up to expectations.

Purvis
Rodney has struggled this year. He has hit the three point shot with regularity but has not been able to finish his drives. I cannot figure out why as he is strong and athletic enough to do so and his free throws, well, let’s not talk about his free throws. Rodney has not been as good as I had hoped he would be but I think he is the future leader of this team. He has an infectious smile and has shown the propensity to be the vocal leader we will need.

Warren
“Buckets” has been the most pleasant surprise of this year. I watched him play 5 games in high school and every time I would look at that ugly shot and shake my head, but he would keep scoring and scoring and scoring. Surprisingly that ability continued right into college. He has an innate ability to get to the open spot and score. His has excellent body control which allows him to finish tough shots while rarely getting called for a charge. He has been more than I could have ever hoped.

Lewis
Tyler came into the program with a lot of fanfare but struggled early on adjusting to the size and speed of the college game. When Zo was injured and he took over the team he came alive. He has that heady, “old man” game that drives other players and fans nuts. One play sums it up for me, in the Miami game Reggie Johnson hedged out on a pick at the top of the key. As Johnson turned around to run back to his man, Lewis noticed this and actually used Johnson as a pick to start driving the lane. He will be hated by the rest of the ACC by the time he leaves and that is a huge compliment. His emergence gives us a solid seven man rotation. His current play is about what I expected from him.

Vandenburg
I do not like to beat someone when they are down so I will simply say he has not played as well as I expected. I hope he can improve enough to make some impact his senior year.

This team is now capable of making good runs in both the ACC and the NCAA tournaments. They have made constant improvement throughout the year.Their rebounding and defense, while not earth shattering is good enough and given the potent offense that is all it has to be. Whether they will or not is up to one person, Leslie. This team needs him to play hard and smart in order to win against great teams.

Now back to the original question “Has this season been a disappointment?” I think that answer depends on your expectations for this year. If you bought into the preseason hype you are probably upset. I am not. I have seen consistent and constant team improvement. I have seen a fun team who is a blast to watch. I have seen a team who can still do something special and I think that is about all you can ask for. If two years ago someone told you NCSU would be ranked most of the year, beat both Duke and UNC, get into the NCAA tournament without being on the bubble, have three top ranked recruiting classes including at least four McD’s AAs and have one of the top offenses in the NCAA what would you have said? I know I would be giddy with excitement. I do not believe this is a “peak year”. Miami is having a good year but they are having a once in a lifetime experience. With the talent we have in the pipeline I expect many more years of this type of enjoyment.

About Rick

1992 and 2002 graduate from NCSU. Born and raised an NCSU fan. I remember the good ol' days and they weren't in the last 20 years.

12-13 Basketball Editor's Picks General Mark Gottfried

73 Responses to Has this season been a disappointment?

  1. BJD95 03/07/2013 at 5:47 PM #

    I would also point out that very few people react positively to getting chewed out in public. Leadership 101. Especially when those being led have other options.

    Look how thin Bobby Knight’s act started to wear.

  2. graywolf 03/07/2013 at 5:55 PM #

    Had we beaten Wake, Md and Miami this would not even be a topic.

  3. MrPlywood 03/07/2013 at 6:16 PM #

    “Despite some frustrating moments on the path to where we are, no I’m not disappointed in the least.” – Wufpacker

    Well said. I was trying to write something similar, figured I’d just give you the credit.

    I’m especially proud of the way they’ve played starting with the road game at Clemson. Before that game I thought that the next 9 were all winnable, with uNX being the toughest test. Which it turned out to be. Other than that they have taken care of business, gelled, improved and are on the rise. Hopefully they can shut down FSU and go into the tourney on a roll.

  4. Wulfpack 03/07/2013 at 6:44 PM #

    Not disappointed but I know we can be so much better. We have top 10 talent – that really isnt debatable. College basketball is down. It is all up for grabs. We are peaking at the right time. I just hope the boys continue to play and avoid the early exits.

  5. tjfoose1 03/07/2013 at 6:45 PM #

    Considering Brown’s injury and missed time, about as expected.

    But now, today, we’re a stronger team with Brown’s injury and those 3 losses than we would have been with no injury and 3 more wins.

    I’ll be disappointed with a first weekend exit from the tourney, but depending upon the opponent and matchups, the doesn’t automatically mean the season wasn’t a success.

  6. tjfoose1 03/07/2013 at 6:51 PM #

    Top 10 talent and coaching alone doesn’t make a top 10 team. The right levels of leadership, chemistry, effort, desire, and other intangibles are also required components.

    We haven’t had those at various times during the season.

  7. Wulfpack 03/07/2013 at 6:58 PM #

    Exactly, foose. Put it all together and we are a top 10 team. I sincerely believe that. I don’t think there is a team out there that we can’t beat. Last year, Kentucky would have drubbed us by 20, as they did all other top competition. Not so this year. Wide open. Take advantage of it.

  8. wufpup76 03/07/2013 at 7:08 PM #

    Frustrating at times, but not a disappointment.

    Lots of others have already stated why …

    Also, seasons tend to be valued based on tournament success – but unless you’re on the 3-line or above (or below, depending on how you look at it) I’m hard-pressed to call any season an overall disappointment based on a one game scenario – which is what the NCAA Tournament is.

    Making the tournament is still an accomplishment, especially so for this program where it’s coming back from. That’s just my opinion though 🙂

  9. MrPlywood 03/07/2013 at 7:10 PM #

    “The right levels of leadership, chemistry, effort, desire, and other intangibles are also required components.”

    Agreed. I would also add “fate” for lack of a better term. Without Lo’s injury I don’t think this team is at the same place. Quixotically, they may have had a better record to this point, but I think the resulting emergence of Lewis leaves State in a better position to capitalize in the tourneys.

  10. Wufpacker 03/07/2013 at 7:13 PM #

    “Well said. I was trying to write something similar, figured I’d just give you the credit.”

    Well, as Rick said last night on the game thread, I’m glad someone recognized my brilliance. 😀

  11. Texpack 03/07/2013 at 7:14 PM #

    Are we who our record says we are?
    Yes. UMd and Clemson cancel each other out. The UVa and Miami games were the result of flaws this team has. Lack of depth and lack of defensive intensity.

    I predicted 6-7 losses for the season so I can’t be too disappointed with the regular season. I also have to consider the unbalanced schedule when I look at where we finish in the conference. I think UVa had an easier schedule than we did.

    This team is rounding into tournament form. It can make the Elite Eight or even Final Four. If we maintain our newly discovered interest in playing some defense we will surpass last year’s results.

    I would have liked to win more games but I think we are set to run the table. Go Pack!

  12. burnbarn 03/07/2013 at 7:49 PM #

    I am happy with the season. If NOTHING else we are now in the conversation as it pertains to tobacco road hoops.
    There is no way this team was going to meet preseason expectations. I wish we had one of MD, UM or WF games in the win column as then we have an ACC tourney bye and a solid chance of winning the tourney which is what the team was predicted to do anyway. It is still in reach but more difficult without it.
    We are SOLIDLY in the NCAA tourney even if we lose, lose. It has been nearly a decade since we have done that and then a decade or so before that previously.
    Finally, there has only been one Pack teamin modern times that didn’t make you sweat it out. I would argue that as a state fan, that is the only thing we can expect.
    Very happy with this season.

  13. ADVENTUROO 03/07/2013 at 7:54 PM #

    Interesting question….as my attorney used to say….

    Well, that depends…..

    Preseason HYPE. Mixed feelings. The press, despite the fact that they should have X & O’s knowledge and some paid sites for their stats, USUALLYdo NOT predict things.

    I did not remember what the bookies were saying, but THEY usually get it right. Except for a few anomolies (Wonderful word – much easier to say or write that BOY, did I screw up), we have followed the line in the 24 hours prior to the game.

    Seond thought on pre-season poll…..ONE would THINK that the Coaches would know MORE about talent, coaching, and team dynamics than the Press. THAT is what bothers me. THEY were more optimistic than we were able to deliver.

    SO, bottom line, I guess I DID buy into a little of it when the Coaches called it. So, since we have NOT, then factoring in injuries (which this year have been MINOR….so the S&C and Coach G. did a great job), I would say that YES, I am a bit disappointed….

    NOW, having said that, I totally agree with Rick’s assessment. It was concise and spot on.

    We should have a lock on 3rd and knocking on the Dukies door for second….had it NOT been for the WF and MD game. Zo came back quickly, but we got Tyler more confidence. The J/H or CJ/Calvin question is raised every game. My section in the LTR’s are getting pretty vocal. We cheer when Calvin scores….we cheer when CJ scores…..and we DO NOT boo when CJ messes up.

    There will be a couple of things that will define this season….

    First, our overall ACC (regular and tourney) effort. Make the Sunday game and all is forgiven.

    Second, our NCAAT performance. Make the S16 and Gott gets LOTS of bonuses and we will be ranked so that Debbie will not have an UGLY meeting.

    Third, the INTANGIBLES…..Too many swirling undercurrents is taking some of the enthusiasm from this season. Will Calvin’s NBA stock take (or maybe it has) a MAJOR hit. Will he be the FB of the market? Will he STAY? We he pull some of the “PURPORTEDLY” poor choices off the court that are ALLEGED to have caused issues.

    Fourth, is there something else OUT THERE? Does it have the potential to go nuclear and totally wipe out all the “good will and PR capital” that the program as accumulated so far? Is there a Golenbach just waiting to write a story? Don’t know…..but there are undercurrents and they are getting stronger and murkier each day…..if they would GO AWAY…..then I would feel better.

    SO, Yes, I am a bit disappointed…..and should NOT have believed the coaches, even though they were NOT writing for Pulitzers.

    But, YES, I think it has been a miraculous journey. The glass is half full and there is fresh beverage in the cabinet. I might not go to the first NCAA regional due to some local committments….and will be traveling with my precious little GK’s during the sweet sixteen…..BUT, if they are headed for Atlanta, I have already altered my return trip and me and wife and GS will be there…..

    GO PACK….

    Beat FSU (have my jersey from FB season and will wear it proudly). I do NOT depend on FSU and MD and Duke to wash our dirty red undies…..we messed in them and we must wash and dry and put them on again…..

  14. packalum44 03/07/2013 at 8:44 PM #

    I haven’t read any response this is not directed toward anyone in particular.

    The head coaches (and media bleh) of the ACC picked our team to win the regular season.

    For those that picked us to finish in 5th place, don’t flatter yourself and mistake your pessimism for prescience.

    If you are not disappointed in the least you’re an asshole cynic. If you are more than mildly disappointed you’re a hopeless fool.

  15. gtspack 03/07/2013 at 8:46 PM #

    Not disappointed at all, but I still don’t understand how we backed up so much on the defensive side of the ball. I truly thought another year under Gott and Lutz we would be tremendous on D this year. We could have CJ for another year. No way he gets drafted as bad as he shoots. You can’t dunk on NBA guys all game.

  16. MrPlywood 03/07/2013 at 9:55 PM #

    “but there are undercurrents and they are getting stronger and murkier each day”

    WTH?

  17. Wolfman 9806 03/07/2013 at 10:10 PM #

    NO! But I’ll wonder what could have been if we still had Painter.

  18. RedandWhite97 03/07/2013 at 10:11 PM #

    This team ……this season has been fun. Ups and downs? Yes. However, this group has been fun to watch and be a part of (as a fan, of course).

    Overall disappointment? HECK NO! ’92-’01 and ’07-’11 are too fresh in my memory.

  19. wolfmanmat 03/08/2013 at 6:37 AM #

    The problem with our preseason expectations is that they were based on our run in the tourney and our returning players. People forget we were an 11 seed prior to winning two games…so last year WAS worse than this year. We should have expected improvement, but expecting to go from an 11 seed to a 1-2 seed in the tourney is silly.

  20. TruthBKnown Returns 03/08/2013 at 10:07 AM #

    Not a disappointing season. Have we had disappointing losses? Sure. Every team does. But the basketball season is so long, it is a journey. I like the development I’ve seen. I like that the freshmen have come along so well. And this development should help us in the postseason. No one in their right mind expected us to dominate game in and game out. Look at all the close losses that could have made this a PHENOMENAL season had they worked out a little differently on the final possession. So we lost a few of those. We learned that we can lose if we don’t “bring it” every night.

    I’m pretty ecstatic about our chances in the postseason. If we take care of business in Tallahassee this weekend (or if Virginia loses to Maryland), we get the first-round bye we’ve coveted for quite some time. I think this State team is one that can do a lot of damage on a neutral court (and with REASONABLE officiating). We love the big stage… and we’re about to be on it. Buckle up, this might be a fun ride!

  21. 44rules 03/08/2013 at 12:14 PM #

    Well crap, Truth. You had to go on and spout the phrase “reasonable officiating” just before the ACC tourney. Now I’m bummed.

    Disappointed in the season? A little, but not much. Now if we crap out in the first game of both tourneys, I will be extra bummed.

  22. ryebread 03/08/2013 at 3:37 PM #

    It takes a while for a program (and that’s players, coaches, support staff, etc.) to understand how to deal with success and expectations and learn how to run out in front. To expect ours was going to be there after only one season is a bit unrealistic. Also, love Gott or hate him, he’s not really shown that he’s a great coach with high level expectations. I didn’t agree with the preseason top 10 or ACC champions pick.

    My preseason expectations were that we’d lose 1-2 non-conference, finish 12-6 in the league (2nd behind Duke), peak near the end of the year, and make a Sweet 16/Elite 8 run. I also didn’t see the freshman as immediate impact players, but thought they’d improve as the year went on.

    With those expectations, I’m not really disappointed. Had Brown not gone down, we’d have at least gone 2-1 in those games, and exceeded my ACC regular season win total. Of course, I think we’re actually a stronger team for his injury because we went from a 6 to an 7 man rotation.

    The TDT transfer was bigger than I think that most realize. He wasn’t going to contend for starting minutes, but he was going to give us a much needed sub on the front line, who could bang for some rebounds and open up the inside with his jump shot and passing. I was sad to see him go, but if personalities were as much of an issue as they appear based on the tweets, maybe this was actual addition by subtraction.

    I don’t want to do individual, per player break downs. Some kids exceeded my expectations. Some didn’t quite live up to their preseason hype. All of them (excluding possibly Howell) have potential left to tap — but that is typically true of almost any college player.

    The most important thing is what the team accomplishes. We still have a ton left to play for (I’d argue this thread is pre-mature) and I think we’re poised to make a strong run.

    Really, the surprising development in the league this year was Miami. Take them out and Duke, State and UNC are near the top as I expected. I had Miami, UVA and FSU fighting it out for 4th – 6th, so I knew Miami would be a solid team. I just didn’t seem them running as many wins together as they did in the middle of the season. I kind of think that Miami’s strong season paired with the WTF loss against WF and pounding by OSU has made many of our fans view our season in a different light.

    One thing that our fans need to remember is that we’ve won 20+ seasons for two seasons in a row and we still have at least 3 games left to play this year. The last time that happened back to back was in the late 1980s. Between V and Gott, we had 6 NCAA tournament bids in 20 years (and backed into several of those). Now we’re about to easily punch our second straight bid.

    As long as we’re doing things the right way, then the future is brighter than it has been in a long time.

  23. wolfonthehill 03/09/2013 at 4:55 PM #

    I find it interesting that so many considered the preseason expectations to be “hype”… when many of the same folks didn’t call it hype way back when… just lots of giddy, excited folks there…

    http://www.statefansnation.com/index.php/archives/2012/10/17/pack-picked-6-in-usa-today-top-25-coaches-poll/

1 2 3

Leave a Reply