I think the announcing was fairly pro-Penn State. After they got up 11-0, we pretty much crushed them right up until letting them back in the game near the end. The narrative was that the Big 10 is a great conference, that Penn State has all the pieces, etc.. NC State is some pieces away and not a NCAA tournament team. Yet, what does the score board and the eyeballs show? NC State looked better to me.
What does that really mean? Does that mean that the ACC is just that much better than a winner in the ACC/Big10 challenge over a team that is going to make noise in the Big 10 may not have that opportunity in the ACC? Maybe so, but if so, then some of that narrative probably needs to change.
Of course that gives the announcers more credit than is deserved. They’re merely saying what crosses between their ears in the moment and pairing that with their pre-game research (if they bother to do any of it). Moral of the story? Mute the games and they’re better.
Regardless, I liked the win. I didn’t think Penn State was good outside of one player, but that one player is quite the shooter. Any time a guy can shoot 65% from 3 (and that’s what he was doing prior to last night), you’ve got to guard him and that can create a dangerous team.
When they came out hot and we were stumbling, I have to admit that I was worried that the Bahamas hangover was still going. We turned up the pressure and really didn’t look back. I thought Penn State looked incredibly winded right before the half and we were really close to running them out of the gym. Yurt looked great. Keatts goes with the hot hands. Only down sides are Abu’s knee and Hicks’ injury.
