NC State is not going to play for the ACC Championship on Sunday afternoon, but the Pack played like a champion for three days in Atlanta. In particular, State's effort against Carolina, while almost overlooked due to controversy, is to be commended. Upon facing adversity, the Pack didn't wilt- it grew stronger, played tougher and fought back, showing the heart and resiliency that have not been seen in Raleigh in a long time.
When C.J. Leslie fouled out with eight minutes to play, State looked done. UNC went up by seven, State's best player was out, and two others had four fouls. If this team were anything like the State we've grown to accept over the past couple decades, it may have folded and lost by double digits. Instead, Lorenzo Brown took over, driving, dishing and scoring. State turned up the defense. Richard Howell controlled the boards. And NC State found itself in a position to win in the last minute.
Things didn't work out for State today, but it is easy to see just how far the Wolfpack has come this season and how close it is to being the Wolfpack that State fans so desperately want. I cannot say that State has turned the corner or that the Pack is back, but Mark Gottfried's program is showing more promise than at any time since the days of Jim Valvano, back when there were three great programs in the Triangle.
