GREENSBORO -- At the end of a long basketball day for North Carolina-based teams, it was left to N.C. State to salvage something from the first round of the ACC Tournament.
The 11th-seeded Wolfpack was up a challenge that earlier had tripped No. 5 Wake Forest against No. 12 Miami and No. 10 North Carolina against No. 7 Georgia Tech.
State’s 59-57 upset over No. 6 Clemson wasn’t a work of fine art, but so what? The way this season has gone for most of the state’s teams, a late-season win was beauty in the eyes of many beholders. Only four times in 56 previous years - 1976, ‘86, ‘90 and ‘96 - had three teams from North Carolina lost during one day of ACC Tournament competition.
What’s more, it sets up the Pack (18-14) for a Friday quarterfinal shot at No. 3 Florida State (22-8), a team State whipped impressively (88-81) on the road.
Sidney Lowe’s team did it by joining Miami as the team of the eight on Thursday to shoot better than 50 percent. Tracy Smith’s 19 points led the win, but plenty of praise has to go the bench. With Richard Howell getting nine points and 11 rebounds, Pack reserves 21 points, including eight by rapidly improving C.J. Williams.
The win also was State’s third in its past four games, another indication of significant progress. But it did come with a possible price. Pack playmaker Javier Gonzalez was dealing with a severely swollen ankle in the locker room after the game. His status for Friday isn’t known. He played 22 minutes, finishing with only two points and one assist, but is has an important role in the team’s ability to get the ball inside to Smith and Howell.
Clemson (21-10) likely will still land an NCAA Tournament bid. But it will a quick exit for Oliver Purnell’s team unless he round up some consistent help for senior Trevor Booker. On the backboards, State had a 34-25 advantage despite everything Booker could do to grab misses.
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE
Noon: No. 1 Duke (26-5) vs. No. 9 Virginia (15-15)
2 p.m.: No. 5 Virginia Tech (23-7) vs. No. 12 Miami (19-12)
7 p.m.: No. 2 Maryland (23-7) vs. No. 7 Georgia Tech (20-11)
9 p.m.: No. 3 Florida State (22-8) vs. No. 11 NCSU (18-14)
Comments
Congratulations to State
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 13:55 — Heels20Whether you're a fan or not, you've got to love Tracy Smith. He shows up for every game and doesn't take plays off. One thing he doesn't get nearly enough credit for is keeping this State team afloat. His teammates feed off of his desire and work ethic, and I think it has really helped guys like Javi Gonzalez and Richard Howell develop.
Just for you, Max, there were some very questionable calls. How was Farnold's foul ruled intentional, but there was no flagrant when Howell went down? There were a couple blown calls both ways, but those two really stood out.
I hated seeing the Heels lose, but I was happy to make it up to Greensboro last night to see 2 close games. State has already shown they can beat FSU, so tonight could end up being a good game. As JPD said, Javi will have to be healthy, especially considering how good FSU's defense is. Looking forward to seeing that one.
Heels20
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 16:18 — mad_max'Precciate the homage there.
Yeah, the refs's flagrant foul decisions were very questionable. There was one call that really bothers me though...Horner was dribbling under pressure at one point at the bottom of the screen. It looked to me like he was bumped and fouled, but he ended up dribbling the ball out of bounds. The refs didn't call a foul, but then they awarded State the ball when Horner clearly dribbled it out of bounds! I don't know if it was an immediate make-up call or what, but I think we, ACC fans, deserve better officiating than that.
Tracy Smith has been a beast on the court for about a season and a half now, but he has really emerged as a team leader over the course of the last several weeks. You're right, he keeps this team afloat when there is nowhere else to turn, and I think it will be huge that we will have him back next year too.
Javi will play whether he's 100% or not, he's too tough. But we need him close to 100% if we want to keep winning.
no foul, but we are going to award you the ball.
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 17:16 — gvillegatryou see this all the time. depending on the situation: i like it sometimes and others I do not.
JAVI
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 16:35 — JPDOhioThat's why I love that kid. He has his ups and downs, but nothing keeps him down for long. His drive and persistence are terrific qualities.
We probably won't know his status until game time, but I'm guessing they will have to chain him to a support beam to keep him off the court.
You are Gracious
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 14:34 — PuddentainI hold no ill will against the tarheels, especially the kids who are playing. And I like you guys, you're all pretty cool.
But there are certain groups of people who tend toward the obnoxious and, unfortunately for you guys, by association, many tarheel fans tend in that direction.
For those who are so sanctimonious when the team is winning must be able to accept the ribbing that is bound to happen when a team has a season like this.
So, to my friendly regular UNC fan posters, my sympathies for having to sit through such a season. I feel your pain. Heels20, thanks for the kudos and congratulations.
To the other tarheel fans... PTTTTTTTTHHHHHTTHTHTHHHTTTTTHHHHHH!!!!
Congrats
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 11:08 — SurferNice win for the Pack. Good team ball and made the shots when they needed to. This should help Sid's tenure, although next year they should be much improved.
Random impressions.
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 09:37 — JPDOhio1. Great team win. These guys have each other's backs and play very unselfishly. Brandon Costner-watch and learn!
2. Here's hoping Javi's ankle is not too bad. It was gutsy for him to return last night, but it's how it feels today that matters. Julius held up reasonably well, although I wish he would stop picking up his dribble. Still, State needs Javi on the floor.
3. All you need to know about Tracy Smith happened on the last play where he dove to the floor to cover the ball after the FT miss. The guy is relentless. Brandon Costner-are you paying attention?
4. I am really looking forward to watching Richard Howell progress over the next few years. Richard and Tracy will be a force to be reckoned with next year. Where are you now, Brandon Costner? Please stay there!
5. Another tough test tonight. Hopefully, the Pack did enough last night to extend their season in the NIT, but let's get another win tonight to secure it.
good win for the pack! they
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 09:10 — duke_bluegood win for the pack! they definitely played with more passion.
State
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 02:47 — LetsGoPittAnd the Pack plays on. They certainly closed out their season well, and should be in the NIT. And when they get there, don't be surprised if they don't face Sean Miller's Arizona team or Herb Sendek's Sun Devils. Both would be interesting games as well as story lines for the locals.