I’ve always felt a strange kinship with N.C. State. Against the ACC’s many basketball monoliths, these two teams come off like the shrieking apes. They’re usually in the middle of the pack. They’re both known as giant killers. They always find new and exotic ways to under- and overacheive (but never just “achieve”). And they always have chips on their shoulders for having to sit at the kids’ table. But at the same time, both teams have histories laden with truly glorious moments (not to mention championships). And lest we forget, these two teams played a game in 1974 that is, even in this age where every good game is an INSTANT CLASSIC, still regarded as one of the greatest of all time.
The similarities are especially pronounced so far this season. Both teams lost some tough ones early, with the Pack losing to Florida on a buzzer-beater from the three-point line — no, the other three-point line. But lately, the two teams — Maryland now at 12-5 and N.C. State at 13-6 — have made runs, with N.C. State again notching the most notable game after Wednesday’s defeat of Duke (which I totally saw coming).
So I feel a bond with the N.C. State. Whenever we collide, it feels like a fight between two mongeese. And in the end, no matter the outcome, somewhere out there, a cobra is smiling.
And that’s why it pains me to tell you this, N.C. State: We’re gonna kick your butts tomorrow.
Whenever I’ve watched the Pack this year, I’m left with the feeling that middle school custodians are playing pick-up hoops after the kids are done with the court. I wouldn’t exactly label top players Tracy Smith and Dennis Horner natural-born athletes; both appear to know their way around a dollar menu. And Sidney Lowe’s not helping anything over there; he looks like the guy taking their order.
Sorry, Tracy. It's true.
So why are they winning? Well, they’re decent at just about everything, even if they are truly excellent in just about nothing. Just to see if I can fit another strange analogy in here, they are not unlike the Island of Misfit Toys. For example, Horner’s tall at 6′9″, but he’s more of a shooter than a banger. Smith can bang, and he can score, but for a guy that big, he can’t rebound. And for such a highly touted player, I’ve never really seen him take over a game. Point guard Javier Gonzalez is frisky but undersized. Scott Wood gets the Jin Soo Choi Award for being a shooter who doesn’t always like to shoot.
Personnel-wise, this is a good matchup for Maryland. We can use our athleticism to get around the lumbering big men and through their smaller guards, which include two sophomores. Sean Mosely and Cliff Tucker, in particular, should be able to handle whomever N.C. State puts on them. Add in the fact that N.C. State will be coasting on fumes after the Duke win, and I think we’ve got a romp on our hands. Saturday, 6 p.m., ESPN2.
Prediction: N.C. State 62, Maryland 75
The Vegas line opened with the Terps as a 9.5 pt favorite. That’s a big margin. I think the Terps will win by double digits. Despite beating Duke, NC State is really not that good of a team, and Maryland should cruise in this one. I agree with your take, I can’t hate on NC State. Like Maryland, they are a historically good program that doesn’t get the respect of the other ACC programs because they don’t have a “storied history”, whatever the hell that means. And, they wear red.
I don’t want to get too carried away here, especially since its so early in the season, but this is a HUGE game. Dare I say, season defining game. I’m extremely nervous. To make matters worse, I have to work untill 6pm. Look out South Jersey, this guy is gonna be watching his cell phone on the ride home! Go Terps
It is big, and N.C. State can play, but I think Maryland wins this easily. But of course, whenever I think that, the Terps get beat. As always, we shall see.
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