RALEIGH -- Another encounter with Maryland, another loss for N.C. State.
The Wolfpack dropped its seventh straight to the Terrapins, 67-58 on Wednesday night, which was also its seventh straight ACC loss this season.
Maryland senior Greivis Vasquez, as usual, played the villain, pouring in 26 points and leading a 22-5 run in the second half.
The Terps played for the third time in five games and started that way, falling behind by 10 at the half and stayed there for the first 5 minutes of the second half.
Then Vasquez got the job done for the Terps (18-7, 8-3 ACC), whose NCAA Tournament resume avoided a loss to the last-place ACC team.
N.C. State (14-13, 2-10) led 51-45 after back-to-back baskets by senior forward Dennis Horner at 9:53 in the second half and then went more than 6 minutes without scoring.
Horner, who led the Pack with 19 points, was a late addition to the starting lineup. Freshman Richard Howell was scheduled to start at forward but sprained a ligament in his left thumb in practice.
Howell watched as the senior made the most of a second chance. Horner had nine points in the first half to lead State to a 37-27 advantage.
The Terps, who played a rescheduled game on Monday and at Duke on Saturday, rely more on energy than talent. They didn't come to life until Adrian Bowie and Vasquez hit a pair of 3-pointers, sandwiched between six points from freshman forward Jordan Williams (19 points).
Vasquez, who improved to 7-0 against the Wolfpack, delivered the momentum-turner when he hit a 3 at 8:19 to give Maryland its first lead since 11:45 in the first half.
The senior turned and shot a quick look at the N.C. State crowd which has seen this act before. Vasquez scored 33 at the RBC Center last year.
N.C. State's recent shooting woes continued going 23-of-66 (34.8 percent) and couldn't overcome an off night (10 points) from forward Tracy Smith.
Comments
Nice win
Sat, 02/20/2010 - 20:14 — Heels20This is the first game I've made it to at the RBC Center this season. I guess I lucked out being offered a ticket to this one. Sidney had his boys running up and down the floor every possession. I was impressed with Farnold Degand and CJ Williams. Even Horner was making things happen in the first half. However, what was most impressive was how State was able to keep it together and maintain their lead until the end.
When was the last time Wake won in Raleigh? I've been to 3 of the last 4, all of which the Pack won. I didn't make it to last year's game, but I'm pretty sure State won that as well. Any way, definitely a good win for State. Glad they didn't play like that against us...
HOLE-20
Sun, 02/21/2010 - 18:51 — bluecat69bluecat69LUCKED-OUT?? U NEED TO GET A LIFE. NO ONE WITH ANY SENSE GOES TO A BOTTOM-FEEDING, WULFPECKER GAME, UNLESS U ARE A CARAWHINA FAN, MISERY LOVES COMPANY, GIVE IT UP AND BECOME A BLUEDEVIL FAN, OK, GO DUKE!!!!
Sidney Coaching too much during game?
Thu, 02/18/2010 - 17:40 — mcdpack94I am a State Grad and Pack Fan. Sidney has one more year to show what if he can do anything with these great recruiting classes. I was at the game last night and State did better when they were on side of the court that was away from Sidney. After half time the offense was on the same side of the court as Sidney. The players were constantly looking over to the sideline midplay and the plays seemed much less fluid than they did the first half. The contstant whistling and playcalling in mid play seemed very disruptive instead of being helpful. Does anybody have a stat that shows how well the Pack plays when they are on the same side of the court as Sidney vs when they are on the opposite side? Just curious because the Pack seems to be hot one half and cold the other half in a lot of games. I know it's not that simple. I grasping at straws here.
Not sure about this....
Thu, 02/18/2010 - 23:32 — JPDOhiobut I thought that in the second half, a team is always shooting at the basket on its side of the scorers table. If that is true, your hypothesis doesn't work, because I can recall several times earlier in the season when the Pack had a very high shooting percentage in the second half.
I think the Pack's scoring drought problems are more a lack of confidence that emerges when the opponent makes a run. They stop believing in themselves and look to Sid for help instead of pulling themselves up. It is the sign of a young team that hopefully will change with time (sooner rather than later).
Still, your thought is a good one that may have some merit. I know it got me thinking.
Correct
Fri, 02/19/2010 - 14:27 — SurferIn the second half, a team is always shooting at the basket on its side of the scorers table. But also, earlier in the season, Sid may not have been "coaching" as much? Who knows. It does seem to help the Pack when they press duing the second half, thus leading to turnovers and a higher fg percentage.
I thought I heard differently
Thu, 02/18/2010 - 23:11 — gvillegatrI heard Coach Lowe was not doing as much coaching from the side lines like in years past? I dunno.
Tradition
Thu, 02/18/2010 - 13:03 — SurferThe most interesting thing last night, besides the fact that the Pack had a real chance to win the game, was the comment made by the guy presenting an award to D.T. at half-time. His comment was something like, "I have been to [such and such's] celebration and I have seen UNC's (boos heard throughout), but we, with our two national championships, have something they do not have, Tradition!"
I think that he was actually serious. Sure there were the Case years, Sloan and Jimmy V, but perhaps he is referring to a non-desirable tradition? Somebody help me out.
Of course there was the bass fishing team recognition, nicely done.
Sorry guys, just trying to change things up a bit.
makes sense
Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:03 — gvillegatrthe comment concerning more "tradition" over at ncsu than at UNC-CH makes perfect sense to me when you consider the source.
they've had some of the worse kinds of "tradition" one has ever heard of over the last 25 years.
BAZONGA!
mark the tape!!!!
Thu, 02/18/2010 - 19:08 — bluecat69bluecat69g-alligator finally said something that makes sense, the pack is bad, bad, bad, as in bottom feeders, i actually think they should go to a div. 3 conf. ok, go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO TERPS!
Thu, 02/18/2010 - 01:00 — lil576The Triangle needs to come to terms with a Gary and Grevis Team that just might steal the regular season championship.
Oh well.
Thu, 02/18/2010 - 00:49 — JPDOhioWrong again.
I assumed that you somehow
Fri, 02/19/2010 - 01:26 — mad_maxI assumed that you somehow started watching the game in the second half. Hah, but seriously, you didn't miss anything that you haven't already seen before. You're right, it's all a mental/confidence thing. Until State can learn not to mentally beat themselves, they will not beat anybody else.
Pack
Fri, 02/19/2010 - 04:07 — LetsGoPittmad_mex, or anyone else, I'm not doing anything Saturday and would enjoy going to the State-Wake game. Anyone have an extra ticket or two?
I'd certainly help you out
Fri, 02/19/2010 - 20:24 — mad_maxI'd certainly help you out if I could. The only fans I would mind giving tickets to at the RBC Center would be UNC fans of course, but I've found most Wake fans to be very respectable. Anyways, I do have two tickets for tomorrow, but I'm taking my girlfriend to her first ever collegiate sporting event, so I'm pretty excited, despite the way State is playing. Good luck finding a couple tickets.
Pure Genius
Sat, 02/20/2010 - 09:52 — JPDOhioOne half of Wolfpack hoops and the relationship will be over. And she will think it was her idea! Brilliant!
On the other hand, if she makes to the end of the game and you are still on speaking terms, marry her. Today!
lord up above
Fri, 02/19/2010 - 22:58 — gvillegatrplease have mercy on mad max's GF's soul. She knows not what she is doing!
Observation
Fri, 02/19/2010 - 14:32 — SurferNo hate here, but based on the number of fans absent for the Maryland game, there should be plenty of tickets available. You could probably walk up and get as many as you want.
wolfpecker-24!!!
Thu, 02/18/2010 - 20:02 — bluecat69bluecat69has anyone heard from wolfpecker, he is like his team- goes in a hole when his team gets beat, which is OFTEN , go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not Again!
Thu, 02/18/2010 - 01:20 — LetsGoPittI thought for sure State would pull one off. You know, prior to tonight, home teams had won 12 of last 14 ACC games, proving how hard it is to win on the road, only to see ALL three road teams win tonite. Yoi!
As for the Pack, man, how many games have they led at half or led midway thru the 2nd half only to go cold? Are these guys not in shape, or what is it? If they played 31:18 games I swear they would have won at least 4 more games. This is sad
Self-fulfilling prophecy
Thu, 02/18/2010 - 01:34 — JPDOhioAlthough I didn't see tonight's game, I've seen it before. I think it is more mental than physical. As soon as the opponent makes a run and they miss some shots, it's like "here we go again".
They have to somehow break the cycle. A lot easier said than done, but the Pack did miss a huge opportunity this time.
Indeed
Thu, 02/18/2010 - 11:46 — YAR8packYou are completely correct in your assertion that the Pack's main barrier is a mental one.
A spectator can almost set her or his watch to the exact second in the 2nd-half of games that State starts overthinking the situation. A couple of glances toward the scoreboard. Mild panic begins to set. Hurried shots and careless ball handling are the first indicators. After those mistakes rear, it's all over but the complaining.
Perhaps a shrink could help these guys out. I surely don't know what the hell else could...other than a shooting coach for the guards. Degand, Mays, and Gonzo were a combined 5-25. "Turrrable."
5-25
Thu, 02/18/2010 - 14:43 — JPDOhioThat stat pretty much sums up the reason for the losing streak.
Basically, these guys have the ability to shoot well. We've seen them do it various times in the past. But you won't shoot well when you lose focus and stop doing the things that make you successful. You end up out of sync and left with nothing but low percentage shots.
Maybe Yoga would help. It would be cheaper than a shrink.
Yoga
Thu, 02/18/2010 - 15:16 — YAR8packI know you're being sarcastic, so I'll offer a reply in that same manner. Perhaps Sid can go talk to TOB about how well Yoga works for training college level athletes. Oh...that's right. Doh!
This is a surprise
Wed, 02/17/2010 - 23:19 — Heels20Looks like a different team.
That was then . . .
Thu, 02/18/2010 - 00:03 — melvinfurdThat was then . . . this (MD 67 NCS 58) is now. Now, it's NOT a surprise!