N.C. State has lost 13 straight to North Carolina and 19 of 20 since coach Roy Williams replaced Matt Doherty in 2003.
For most of Williams' first nine seasons, UNC's wins have not been close, with the notable exception of the first game — a two-point UNC win in Chapel Hill — and the last one — a two-point UNC win in Atlanta in the ACC tournament.
Only five of the 19 losses have been by single digits, compared nine by 14 points or more. The average margin of victory for UNC in the 19 games is 13.2 points.
No one on N.C. State's roster has been a part of a win over the Tar Heels (the last State win was former coach Sidney Lowe's first game, 83-79 on Feb. 3, 2007), which would logically be a psychological advantage for UNC.
N.C. State junior Lorenzo Brown doesn't think the Wolfpack has a mental block when it comes to UNC, rather Brown said, UNC has just been better.
"It's definitely not a mental block," Brown said with a laugh. "They've had a lot of great teams the last couple of years.
"Obviously, N.C. State hasn't been up to par but now we have a great team and last year we had a great team. I think this year's team is better than last year's team but we have to work out some things."
To Brown's point, UNC has won two national titles and averaged 28.5 wins under Williams.
Over the same time, N.C. State has had as many coaches as Williams has Final Four trips (three). The Wolfpack has been to the NCAA tournament four times in nine years, the Sweet 16 once and averaged 19.3 wins.
Still, senior Richard Howell said N.C. State gets more confidence against UNC the more it plays UNC.
Last year's ACC tournament loss, 69-67 in the semifinals, came down to the final seconds. The cast of characters has changed dramatically for UNC since last March, but Howell said there's confidence to be culled from that loss.
"We definitely got that in back of our heads from last year," Howell said. "We're going to come out with the motivation that we need to win the game from the start."
Comments
sufer-girl!!!
Thu, 01/31/2013 - 15:48 — bluecat69bluecat69i see u are still smoking that dope!!!!
...heels own Pack
Sat, 01/26/2013 - 18:44 — draper0726They also own The News and Observer.
...and another thing
Sat, 01/26/2013 - 09:46 — LowcountryI forgot to add - there sure is a lot of hype and trash talking for a non-rivalry game between our players, fans and media and it didn't start in Raleigh.
The past vs the present
Sat, 01/26/2013 - 09:43 — LowcountryI guess it's fun to talk about the UNC winning streak or the overall record. I, for one, don't really care about those things because they have nothing to do with today's game. Those past games have no relationship with this team, their current ranking, how they will play today or where we finish this season. This is a new year and a new beginning. I'm sure the UNC people don't care about the last 5 game winning streak the Pack had over the Heels in football. Same thing today.
agree
Sat, 01/26/2013 - 12:23 — SurferYou are correct, the past has no bearing whatsoever.
What 5 game winning streak in FB? ;-)
As far as the Pack this year, it's new, and it promises to be a good one. But in terms of the future, I am not sure of "a beginning"? The departure of the big 4 will make next year's outlook not as promising.
Wulfpups Lose Again
Fri, 01/25/2013 - 16:58 — ReallyReallyDream On Dog. As inconsistent as Carolina has been this season, it's not 13 years worth. Statistically speaking Carolina wins; however, we are living in some sort of alternate universe this year: The dookies getting skunked by The U, who has NEVER beat them in history. Psych...Carolina still wins in the alternate universe.
Does Carolina play Clemson
Sat, 01/26/2013 - 22:54 — GunshyDoes Carolina play Clemson in Scapel Kill this year? A Clemson win would really be bizzaro world.
nope
Sun, 01/27/2013 - 10:00 — SurferSorry, but you will just have to enjoy State's one or two wins over the Heels this year. "The Streak" will continue.
Timing
Fri, 01/25/2013 - 13:25 — SurferNo way State should lose this one. With the departure of UNC talent and the retention of NCSU's after last year, plus it being a home game and the fact that State has already had a few stinky games, State wins this one, by say 10 points.