RALEIGH -- N.C. State entered Tuesday's game against Northwestern unbeaten on the season and unbeaten at home in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.
Both short-lived streaks are history after the Wolfpack's 65-53 loss to the Wildcats at the RBC Center.
A perennial Big Ten doormat, Northwestern's off to a 6-1 start with wins over Big East (Notre Dame), Big 12 (Iowa State) and ACC teams. Guard Michael Thompson scored 22 points and led an active zone which held the Wolfpack to 11.1 percent shooting from 3-point range.
State (5-1) started cold, hitting just three of its first 17 shots and fell behind by 10 at the half, and stayed that way, trailing by double-digits for most of the second half as the Wildcats, and their methodical Princeton offense and 1-3-1 zone, controlled the game's tempo.
Forward Tracy Smith (23 points) and point guard Javier Gonzalez (10 points, six assists) and tried to keep State perfect on the young season, and at home in the made-for-ESPN Challenge, but had little help. State had won its first five games of the season and four home games in the Challenge
Senior Dennis Horner, the team's second-leading scorer, was held to 11 points. Freshman Scott Wood, the team's designated zone buster, missed all six of his 3-pointers and did not score.
A wild sequence, started by a technical foul on Northwestern guard Alex Marcotullio at 9:42, briefly gave the Wolfpack hope, cutting the deficit to four points.
Marcotullio got tangled with Gonzalez, which led to two technical free throws for Horner. On the same possession, Gonzalez hit a behind-the-back pass to Smith under the basket for a layup.
Smith missed the accompanying free throw but a Horner steal sprung Smith a for a breakaway dunk at 8:55 and a 47-43 score.
Marcotullio responded by hitting a 3 from the left corner to push Northwestern's margin back seven points.
Horner's free throw at 3:48 ended a streak of 10 straight points by Smith, who was dominant in the second half.
Down 57-50, State had a chance to cut into Northwestern's lead on two straight trips but Wood and Gonzalez missed back-to-back 3s.
Then Thompson's three-point play at 1:35 effectively ended any hope of a Wolfpack comeback.
Comments
Reality
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 12:03 — ChrisM05The reality is this is the worst NC State basketball team to ever take the floor. My 13 year old son was in tears once again. He loves the Pack just like his dad. We are centuries away from being a contendor in the ACC. My son could hit 3 three's in 18 tries. Lack of talent,coaching and a love for Wolfpack basketball has taken us to the bottom of no return. There were empty seats at the RBC lastnight and that would never happen back in the day when we competed with less talent than we have now. It is going to get uglier as the season goes along if you can even imagine. Long live Jimmy V. We don't hope for the NIT we dream about it. Wolfpack b-ball is in a double dip depression.
Worst NC State team ever?
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 20:16 — JPDOhioNot by a long shot.
State had a horrible shooting night, no question about it. But they battled and made a game of it until late in the second half. Northwestern is a team that will make (and has already made) some noise this year, and a very young State team never gave up when it would have been easy to do so. This State team will have its ups and downs this year, but it will get better and will be pretty good in a couple of years.
I feel for your son's anguish, having been there myself a long while ago, but it could be worse. He could become a UNC fan.
When my son was finally old enough to watch and understand football on TV, we watched the famous "Drive" game between the Browns and the Broncos. Because of that one game, he instantly became an Elway and Bronco fan for life.
For many years after that, I suffered unimaginable suffering as the Broncos dashed this Browns' fan's hopes for that elusive Super Bowl appearance and he rode me mercilessly. I got him back though. I sent him to NC State and he is now a lifelong Wolfpack fan.
So cheer up, it could be worse and, I promise, it will get better.
Agree
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 13:43 — SurferLike I said earlier, this State team does have an upside and will surprise a few people.
Sorry to hear what you did to your son. Painful yes, but deep down I am sure he appreciates it.
why does everyone long for Jimmy V?
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 16:16 — gvillegatrbottom line is he was a cheat. sure, the guy had more chrisma than the Rat Pack combined, but never over look what he did to get where he did at ncsu in baskets.
Jimmy V
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 17:00 — ChrisM05Jimmy didn't do anything that the rest aren't doing today. The rest just don't get caught. What do you expect when you bring in Chris Washburn to the program. Good for the now bad for the later. It is bad when you have to look back 20 years to find any good. Long live the V!!!
???
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 17:34 — gvillegatryou don't know that all are doing that (cheating). expose them if you do. write a book. you'd make a lot of money!
tarholes dont cheat
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 19:42 — bluecat69bluecat69unc is the only team playing bb that dont cheat, if u dont believe me ask GALLIGATOR he knows it all, now connect these dots , ol roy, kansas, 3 yrs probation. go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Right
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 13:10 — SurferYou are right in many ways, however regarding the worst team to take the floor... I honestly think that this year's team will be better than last year's. Give Sid some time, lots of it, to get more than one or two really good athletes in that will stay 3-4 years and things could turn around.
bottom fedders
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 19:51 — bluecat69bluecat69ncsu will never go any where under sid, i can remember calipari being considered for that job , but after he went to ky , alot of fans said they didnt want him anyway, same for john wall, with that kind of attitude, ncsu will never win big, how could they compete with duke and unc???go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 17:16 — ChrisM05Thanks for your optimism. I really need some support. I was all for giving Sid at least next year to get it right. All due respect for what he done for me in 83. I just can't take it anymore. Just look at what we are putting on the court and you want me to do this for another 3-4 years and maybe things could turn around? Thanks but no thanks Carolina fan.
Saw this one coming
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 00:40 — JPDOhioNorthwestern is a good team that answered every time the Pack was close to getting back in it. I was surprised that State was the favorite in this one.
3 point shooting was dismal for the Pack and, at times, the freshman played like freshmen. Yet, despite being down early and often, they came back a couple of times in the second half to make it a two possession game. I don't remember the Wildcats missing a 3 pointer, although I am sure they did. And Michael Thompson can play.
Javi and Tracy have been consistently good so far this year, but the help that they got from others in earlier games did not come today. Painter had some nice moments. Scott Wood continues to struggle with his shot, but he will be fine. This team will get better, but it will also have problems against good competition like it did tonight.
Agree
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 13:12 — SurferSmith is awsome, but needs some help. If he will stay two more years and Sid can gvie him some support, then things should improve.
Where's the Herb??
Tue, 12/01/2009 - 22:47 — lil576I guess that boring offense that went to the NCAA's about every year is still out of the question. Losing to Northwestern? My goodness, this is going to be a long year. You guys just better hope for an NIT Bid.
Credit
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 13:16 — SurferGive the guys some credit, they did make the ACC/Big Televen challenge this year and they will make the ACC Tournament. Actually the NIT is a realistic goal this year, in that they have already won a couple of games this year that they probably would have lost last year.
You're smoking it
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 12:03 — YAR8packC'mon, troll. Find some new material to prove how much of an idiot troll you are. Geesh.