Talk about indigestion.
The NIT Season Tip-Off, whose field was announced Wednesday, presents the ultimate conundrum for N.C. State fans, whose team isn't even involved in the tournament.
To reach the tournament semifinals, Duke needs only to prevail at home in a four-team bracket that includes Charlotte, Elon and Coastal Carolina. The only obstacles between Arizona State and the semifinals out West are Texas State, Texas Christian and Cal State Northridge.
So it's extremely likely that on Nov. 25 - the day before Thanksgiving - N.C. State fans will have to choose between Mike Krzyzewski and Herb Sendek if they want a rooting interest as they prepare their holiday feasts.
It begs the question - what's a loyal Wolfpack fan to do in that situation? Krzyzewski and Duke are rivals who still appear on N.C. State's schedule each season.
N.C. State fans had little reason to object to Arizona State - until Sendek left the Wolfpack and Raleigh to quickly make the Sun Devils an NCAA Tournament team.
So does a fan hold a bigger grudge against an institution, or against a personality? The best guess here is that the cult of personality rules in the United States.
Pressed to make a decision, your average Wolfpack fan would root for Duke ahead of Herb Sendek any day.
Comments
Seriously?
Sun, 08/16/2009 - 13:40 — pack1977Ken... buddy... you need to lighten up. Is this what N&O reporting has come to? Every State fan knows you guys like to throw your drink in the face of the pack but c'mon. Is this even a ligit spin? NC State needs it's Fox news equivelant to the N&O. That is obvious.
I'll pop in something from
Thu, 08/13/2009 - 07:05 — VanAlstonI'll pop in something from Netflix, thanks.
Easy call
Thu, 08/13/2009 - 00:41 — JPDOhioForget the ACC vs. anyone else. Can't back Coach K anytime except for the Olympics. (USA on the uniform trumps all else). Loved the Satan Incarnate comment.
Sendek = Choker
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 23:45 — followthemoneySendek is probably the worst coach in NCSU history. At least Les Robinson had Todd Turner and Larry Montieth to blame but at least Les could beat UNC. Herb has proven he can't coach a team to beat teams of equal or better talent.
Making it to the NCAA is proof only of being at least in the top 35 - no real claim to fame. What Herb did in the NCAA is lose once he got there.
Thank God he and his loser mentality are gone.
Best to Herb
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 23:43 — bblevinsActually hated to see Herb go. Turned program around, 5 tourneys in a row, academic success...but didn't yuck it up enough on the BBQ circuit so there ya go. Best to him, but in this game, go Devils.
Longtimepackfan
I'll Be A Herbivor for that game
Thu, 08/13/2009 - 00:51 — davegh96Herb was great for NC State. I have a huge amount of respect for him and what he did for our basketball program. I love Sid but I was sad to see Herb leave Raleigh. I don't blame Herb for going to Arizona State. The fans here did not give him the support he deserved. I can say I supported Herb until the day he left. So I wish him the best and I hope his Sun Devils beat Duke.
NIT Preseason - Sendek
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 19:45 — colvenjdDude, as a Wolfpack fan, I'll admit that it's tough to find quality content to write a story about Wolfpack BB lately, but you have to let Herb go. He did a good job for NC State (despite being run out of town) and kudos to him for the job done at ASU and being in the NIT. Pack fans should be cheering for Duke in this game, not because it is against Sendek's ASU team, but it is an ACC game against non-conference competition. Period.
I don't know if I would
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 19:42 — mad_maxI don't know if I would neccessarily be pulling for anybody in this game, but I sure as heck would tune in to watch it. I, like many fans, have nothing against Sendek and I was actually upset when he left town. I've always wished Sendek well, and I think it would be very interesting to see him face off against coach K again after everything that went down. Even though it's Herb's style not to put too much emphasis on one game, it would be hard to believe that he wouldn't come with something extra if he got the chance to play duke again.
Why don't we all unite in our disgust
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 18:10 — DeaconPeachfor all things baby-blue instead of creating scenarios which most likely will never come about?
it is posts like this
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 22:00 — gvillegatrthat make it very easy to be a UNC fan!
I got no problem with Sendek
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 17:10 — mikbarrettRayzer, as a lifelong State fan, I totally agree. Sendek's problem was not only that he couldn't beat UNC and Duke, but that he acted like it wasn't important. That intensified the animosity from old school Valvano fans who wanted him to be more charismatic.
Even if Sendek eventually takes Arizona State to the Final Four, it won't change the fact that he was no longer the right fit at State. We're talking about two different playing fields here in the ACC and the Pac 10. And Sendek wasn't cut out for the Triangle. But I still wish him the best.
Who cares?
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 16:52 — rayzer"someone remind me again what agregious (sic.) crime herb sendek committed against NC state fans except take their beloved wolfpack to the tourney 5 years in a row, only to be thanklessly run out of town for not having the "personality" they were looking for?"
Nobrainer, thank you for your thoughtful insight into the personality of a Wolfpack fan. As a Wolfpack fan I can tell you that we could care less about the personality of our head coach. Sendek's problem is that regardless of his NCAA appearances he could not beat our in-state rivals Duke & UNC. Plain & simple. Sendek has some admirable qualities and I wish him no ill will. I could care less who wins the game, if it happens.
Why should pack fans hold a
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 20:55 — cp1017Why should pack fans hold a grudge against Herb? If he had not left like they wanted him to, they wouldn't be enjoying the coaching genius of Sidney Lowe! For that, they should be grateful and pull for him against K!
You media guys will not let it go....
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 16:48 — ginoboliGood God you guys in the media will beat a dead horse into glue. How about something a little more original.
Dumb Article...
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 16:48 — swimplusofncDuke beating Arizona State is good for the ACC, and thus, good for NC State. Go Devils!! PS- It wouldn't be crazy for a Herb team to lose to somebody they shouldn't anyway, so the game might not even happen.
no-brainer
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 16:07 — pinestate78someone remind me again what agregious crime herb sendek committed against NC state fans except take their beloved wolfpack to the tourney 5 years in a row, only to be thanklessly run out of town for not having the "personality" they were looking for?
its simple: state fans should wish sendek well and root against duke. but that's not really the "personality" of the NC state fan.
Really?
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 16:05 — SpacewolfEven if neither team is in contention for their respective division titles, I'm sure most Pack fans (including this one) will be too focused on the State-Carolina football game that occurs two days after Thanksgiving to care about a basketball game that doesn't involve the Pack.
Pull for Duke
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 16:05 — willncsuNo question. Sendek is lame.
The Old Wood-chopper vs
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 15:55 — AgentPierceThe Old Wood-chopper vs Satan Incarnate
Probably Duke
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 15:53 — bobbucyI would probably pull for Duke on that one, just because they are the ACC team. I thought Herb Sendek's problem was mostly that he tried to run a style of offense that was poorly suited to the generally run and gun style of the ACC. But his system is competitive in his new conference. The guy is still a good coach, and I never really understood the hostility toward him on the part of some State fans.
Who gives a f**k!
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 15:50 — awoo1979I bet the game never happens.
Who cares...everyone will be
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 15:39 — mokimanoWho cares...everyone will be enjoying NFL football and Thanksgiving with their families that weekend...and of course Black Friday shopping at the mall...and the Canes play that weekend too...get your priorities straight!!!!
My Vote
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 15:20 — bobmacPut me in Coach K's corner!