N.C. State's C.J. Leslie is comforted by Mark Gottfried after his last-second shot did not fall during the Wolfp's ackovertime loss to Clemson. ETHAN HYMAN - ehyman@newsobserver.com
By David Scott
dscott@charlotteobserver.com
“It’s the ebbs and flows that make athletics really challenging,” Gottfried said after his team lost for a fourth consecutive time and saw its chances at an NCAA tournament at-large berth all-but vanish. “But I love these guys. I told them to keep their heads up. I said if you give us this kind of effort every night then eventually things will turn around for us.”
An admirable sentiment, but time is running out for the Wolfpack (18-11, 7-7 ACC), which was sunk Saturday when Clemson’s Andre Young banked in a 3-pointer from the corner with 10.1 seconds left in overtime for the winning points. The Wolfpack’s C.J. Leslie missed a 3-pointer at the other end as time expired that would have tied it.
The Wolfpack has two regular-season games remaining (Wednesday at home against Miami and next Sunday at Virginia Tech) to right itself before the ACC tournament. But it might be too late.
Four games ago, the Wolfpack was near the top of the league standings. A return to the NCAA tournament for the first time in five seasons seemed a strong possibility.
But after losses to Duke, Florida State, North Carolina and now Clemson (15-13, 7-7), an ACC tournament championship might be the only thing that saves N.C. State from the National Invitation Tournament.
“We’re not even thinking about that,” said Wolfpack forward C.J. Williams, who missed the front end of a one-and-one with 15.4 seconds left in regulation and N.C. State holding a two-point lead. “We’re just worried about each individual game. We’ll let the (NCAA tournament) selection committee worry about that.”
Williams’ missed free throw (the Wolfpack was 5-of-13 from the line for the game) allowed Clemson a chance to tie it with 4.1 seconds left in regulation when Tanner Smith made two free throws (the first of which hung on the rim for an agonizingly long time before dropping in).
The game then went into overtime after the Wolfpack’s C.J. Leslie (18 points, eight rebounds) missed a jumper as the buzzer sounded.
The game stayed close in overtime, but the Wolfpack’s shakiness at the line was again costly.
After Young hit a 3 with 1 minute, 13 seconds left to tie it at 69-69, Wolfpack point guard Lorenzo Brown missed two free throws with 43.7 seconds left.
That set up the Tigers’ winning play. After a timeout with 14.3 seconds left, Young took an inbounds pass from Smith and knocked it in from the left corner.
“It went down,” said Young, who finished with 12 points. “And when it went down, it felt good.”
Said Clemson coach Brad Brownell: “That lost shot, there was no thought to it. Sometimes you can be your own worst enemy, especially if you’re a good kid with a conscience like Andre. But you just have to shoot it. He nailed it.”
The game was close nearly the entire way. The Wolfpack never led by more than four points and Clemson took a brief eight-point lead in the second half.
And as fast as the Wolfpack is plummeting in the ACC standings, the Tigers are rising. It was Clemson’s fourth victory in five games.
“You hope that basketball gods are smiling on us, you hope things even out a little bit,” said Brownell, whose team has lost five ACC games by four or fewer points. “It was a great day for karma to go (our) way.”
Comments
I would say that FT shooting
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 14:25 — mad_maxI would say that FT shooting did the Pack in yesterday, but then gatr would probably accuse me of making excuses.
I guess the NIT is still better than last year. And at least we had an actual team to root for this year, instead of being the laughing stock of the ACC (cue the snarky comments from the State haters).
No
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 15:59 — gvillegatrYour guys finally got into the meat of their schedule and have realized their not ready for prime time just yet.
Sure, you had built a lot of momentum, but it was obviously false. Your lack of a bench is as glaring as any team I paynanynattention to. And, yes, it is hard NOT to pay attention to a team that has "NC" in it.
Ah
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 16:19 — mad_maxI see you're still working that iPhone.
Gladyou'repayingattentiontousthough.
Close
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 17:01 — gvillegatrIPad FTW.
It's kinda amazing someone who roots for UNC but did not attend UNC can afford one since they are not sold at Wal-Mart. :)
Hey max
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 15:34 — JPDOhioYou forgot to mention the illegal screen that got Young loose for the winning shot in OT.
The refs screwed us again!
Hmm
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 16:16 — mad_maxI missed that one, but I get the feeling you aren't being sincere.
My comment was in regards to the State/UNC game thread. I simply stated that the difference in the game was 3 point shooting, to which gatr took great offense.
Again, the refs have cost us two games this year IMHO; UVA and Duke. Of course, some will claim that Pack fans like myself blame every loss on the refs. But, it simply isn't true. 2 out of 11 losses I have blamed on officiating...that's roughly 18 %. I remember gatr blaming the refs at the end of UNC's loss to Duke, as did many UNC fans. That's 1 out of 4 losses, for 25 %. So, in reality, UNC fans have blamed the refs for a larger percentage of their losses than State fans. I know they don't really teach math up in CH, but since most of their fans never went to school there, perhaps they can understand percentages.
Bull honky
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 16:57 — gvillegatrI didn't blame the UNC loss at home to Dook on the refs. I blamed the UNC loss on the PLAYERS for trying to coast to victory when they thought they had it wrapped up.
Contrary to what bluegnat says (and it's obvious you pay attention to what he says at least when it comes to me) I don't blame a lot on the refs or at least haven't in a good while. Sure, I may bitch about a call from time to time (who doesnt ?), but the refs are never blamed for an entire loss.
You've stuck two games directly on the shoulders of the refs this season ... With at least three games to go.
And I think it is hilarious that you blaming the refs for two games out of eleven losses on the refs equates to an entire fan base laying the blame on one loss out of four on the refs. Lol. But, I guess, I'll take 1/4 over 2/11 any day of the week. Lolx2.
g-alligator aka red pussy!
Mon, 02/27/2012 - 13:01 — bluecat69bluecat69admitt it, u hang on every post i put on here, every body does. and you are the KING of ref blaming on this site, nobody else even comes close. GO BLUE DEVILS!!!!
Just kidding
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 16:34 — JPDOhioWhen I first saw that last play, I thought it was closer than it was. I just couldn't pass up the chance to bring the refs into the discussion. So, you are right, I was not being sincere.
I actually think gatr got it right with his comment on Brown's lack of aggressive defense on that play. When the Clemson guy came out for the screen, Brown blinked and tried to go around him. If he goes through him, maybe State gets the call and the ball with another chance to win.
That said, the shot Young hit was not an easy one, so give him credit. And, even with the ball in a tie game, CJL probably still takes a jumper he shouldn't take and we are into a second overtime period.
Yeah
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 16:40 — mad_maxI also agree with that take. The defense was weak for such a desperate time in the game and season. I still think that if State would have just hit their free throws at a respectable rate, it wouldn't have come down to that 3 pointer. Give Clemson credit for knocking the shots down though. I want to say that those were Young's first two 3 pointers of the season...go figure!
Oh, and your last paragraph made me giggle.
Fitting
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 10:29 — YAR8packFitting to lose to Clemson as NC State's hopes to be a Cinderella go from riding in a nice coach to having a pumpkin dumped on them. Just like the losses to Duke and FSU, this one should be blamed solely on the Wolfpack's ineptitude.
Oh well. Win these next two games and make some noise in the ACC tournament.
ncaa selection committee
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 10:06 — SurferThis one too easy to not let go, C.J. Williams comment about the committee worrying about NCSU. Uh, no worrying there, as it looks like winning the ACC tourney is what must happen. Therefore, a non-decision by the committee.
Set yourselves up for this
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 09:29 — gvillegatrYou played the worse three teams in conference six times and played the best four teams in conference only five times. JPD eluded to something along these lines earlier in the season.
Who knows where the line is drawn, but the GT loss was a bad one. Didn't help that your ACC Schedule was sorta back loaded either. One, it gave you false hope that your team was actually better than it actually was and two, it doesn't give you time to get more wins under your belt at the end of the season.
The wuffies love to talk about "next season." Well, next year really should be the start of something if all the recruits are as good as advertised.
Is it time
Sat, 02/25/2012 - 20:10 — Shoreman67to sit Scott Wood down? He is just not contributing as he should. Maybe he has tired legs; maybe that is why he seems to have lost his shooting touch, and that has made him tentative in looking for/taking his shot. There were games earlier in the season when MG had him more active in the offense working inside the three point line---it seemed to work---why has he seemingly abandoned that concept?
State just can't seem to get over the hump; can't seem to get it done in pressure situations; can't make the plays when they have to. I thought they deserved to win this one but they always seem to find a way to lose; this time it was foul shooting; what will it be the next time?
Wood and Leslie
Mon, 02/27/2012 - 14:15 — JPDOhioSeeing just the first half of the Clemson game on Saturday, I would have agreed the Scott was regressing. At least twice he went up for a shot and then tried to pass it to a teammate who was turning to the basket anticipating a rebound. This is the sign of player who has totally lost his confidence. Then I saw the second half and he was active and much more certain in his moves. Someone got through to him at half-time. Yes, he still missed more than he made, but there is only one way for him to recover. He has to keep shooting.
So I am of the opinion that you can't sit Scott down. Nothing good comes from that, especially since I am not sure who starts in his place. Starting either Painter or Johnson eliminates what little depth you have at their respective positions. And there is no one else on the bench that comes close to being ready. Plus, I think that Scott brings other things to the table that are not valued as much as they should be. It may be a good idea to reduce his minutes to about 30 (I think he is averaging 35 or more) to allow more minutes for Johnson and Painter. But the primary objective is to restore his confidence in his shot, which won't happen on the bench. Besides, the Pack needs double-digit scoring from Wood to be successful.
Regarding Leslie, I have been tough on him because I don't think he works hard enough to honor the athletic gifts he has been bestowed with. But I learned today that he played Saturday with a bum shoulder that he hurt taking a major fall in practice. Apparently, it was bad enough that he was questionable for the game. Assuming the report is true, he deserves credit for the way he played on Saturday. I still believe he has a long way to go to be a complete player, but I have to admit that State is better with him than without him.
One thing I would like to see out of Leslie is more passing from him out of the block. I can't count the number of times he has been double- or triple-teamed in the paint and had Scott available for an easy pass out to the arc for an open three. Open looks for Scott have been hard to come by and this could result in 3-4 opportunities per game. Scott also needs to work harder to get open (see Clemson, 2nd Half), but receiving passes out of the block can be part of the solution. If and when Leslie figures out that choosing this option may be better than attacking a triple-team when he gets the ball in the paint, he will have taken another step in being more than just a gifted athlete on a basketball court.
Just being honest
Sat, 02/25/2012 - 20:47 — gvillegatrScott Wood couldn't shake his great grandmother. So I'm not sure how he could shake an 18-22 yr old male. His teammates know it too. They're not even looking for him anymore in the half court.
I believe someone (a state fan) said on Friday's radio show that he needs to start coming off the bench. But that's a problem as well. He hasn't been himself since he retorted to a reporter, "has your wife ever cheated on you?" he's frustrated and your fan base is frustrated with him.
You are supposed to have a great class coming in next year. So there's that.
Gatr, he was able
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 09:23 — Shoreman67to "shake free" for several open shots, which he missed (did make one three, I believe); I still think he may have tired legs but I agree that he is frustrated (as are we, as you stated); he hasn't been the same player since the Va. game in my opinion.
Cryin' Shame
Sat, 02/25/2012 - 19:10 — shharrisThis game, at Clemson, after the previous three, scared me when I looked at the schedule. Now we got 4 L's as the end of theregular season approaches. It looks like we are a another year away from the NCAA and two more recruiting classes away from even scaring ferret face and Ol'roy. I knew that; we all knew that. It's just that anyone who is old enough would like to have hope, like we did in '83 (much less having the win the ACC Tournament in '74). Please, somebody cheer me up! Steve '73
Just can't cheer you up
Sat, 02/25/2012 - 20:15 — Shoreman67---wish I could---but please do not stick your head into the oven, turn on the gas and light a match just yet. The BB Gods have been cruel to us lately, maybe they will show us some benevolence the rest of the season and a miracle will take place. Take care.
whoreman67!!
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 12:44 — bluecat69bluecat69if u are waiting for the cow college to be a contender in the acc, forget it,much less on the big stage, i recommend you go ahead and light the match, and put yourself out of misery.remember skid? coach getfired is not any better, have a good day at the NIT, if u are lucky enough to get there.g0 DUKE BLUEDEVILS!!!!!!!
Let me try
Sat, 02/25/2012 - 22:02 — JPDOhioI didn't see the last 15 minutes or overtime. Otherwise, I would probably add to the funk. I'll save that for tomorrow after I see the ESPN3 replay.
Anyway, this is the classic head vs. heart conflict. In our heads, we know that significant progress has been made this year. In our hearts, we see the missed opportunities and the potential and want it now. This team has been so close against some very good teams, but it just hasn't been able to get over the hump. It is truly frustrating.
But consider this. We had a team in turmoil at the end of last year. We hired a coach who hadn't coached in two years. The only returning point guard decided to leave. The star player gets suspended for three games. Not a picture that screamed SUCCESS.
And yet, until today, there was legit talk about State being a bubble team. An NIT bid is virtually assured. Today's loss, while painful, came on the same day that UNC barely escaped a loss at UVa and Duke was taken to OT at home by Va Tech.
I think we all raised our expectations as the season went on, which makes these 4 losses tougher to take. But this team has a different feel than recent State teams. Bottom line is that this team has exceeded expectations and the future looks better than the present. I think most State fans understand this, not that it is easy to admit.
Hope that helps. :-)
You will see when you watch
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 09:38 — Shoreman67the replay that we fought back from an 8 Pt. deficit (I think it was maybe at 8 mins.+- left in the 2nd. half) and eventually went ahead with maybe 24+ seconds left in the game. We were up by two at that point when OUR MVP candidate stepped to the line for a 1&1 which would have probably iced the game; of course, he missed.
In the overtime, the BB Gods stepped in and a guy who had not made a three all game long hits two and the game is over. Yeah, your paragraph two pretty well sums the season up for me.
ESPN 3
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 16:28 — JPDOhioJust watched the second half on WatchESPN. Now I get where you and Steve were coming from yesterday. Agonizing.
What it comes down to is this. For all the progress that has been made this year, this team doesn't have the winner's mentality. When Duke and UNC come to the end of a close game, they believe they are going to win and, more often than not, someone makes a play to get it done. State had multiple opportunities to finish this one and just couldn't do it. CJ Williams misses the front end of a 1-and-1. Lo Brown misses two that would have made it a two possession game. CJ Williams misses a wide-open uncontested three late. Brown opts to pass to CJ Leslie for the last shot, a 3-pointer no less.
My intention is not to lay this loss on Brown or Williams. Those guys carried the Pack in the first half and, overall, played well, despite some key mistakes. My point is that they have hit the wall that is keeping them from taking the next step in their progression to a team that contends for championships. I am convinced that the problem is mental, not physical. They can either wallow in it or they can develop the mental toughness needed to overcome it and become a team worthy of an NCAA bid. Gottfried's ultimate success or failure as a coach will be determined by how well he addresses this issue.
Fortunately for the Pack, it has several opportunities left this season to address this problem. The last two games in the regular season will be a challenge. Miami is playing for its tournament life and Va Tech has shown that it won't be a gimme. The ACC tournament will be an opportunity for a fresh start. And the likely NIT bid will provide another chance to compete for a championship.
Regardless of where the Pack ends up, it is important for them to cross this last hurdle before they are done for the year. Next years recruits, as good as they look to be, cannot be counted on to carry this team to success next year. That has to come from Brown, Wood, Howell and Painter. Vandenberg needs to return healthy and ready to be as effective off the bench next year as Painter has been this year. And one of the two freshmen who have played most this year (De Thaey or Harris) has to step up. I believe Leslie will be gone, and I am ok with that.
So, the rest of this year is about one thing. Finding a way to develop the mentality the winners have. I think it was Jerry Kramer who said that the Packers never lost a game when he played, they just ran out of time before they could come back to win. Coach Gott's challenge is find a way to instill that mentality in his players. It is not easy, especially coming from the depths of pessimism that permeated the Sid years. But it is what he signed on for and he has done well up to this point. Now the next step needs to be taken.
Didn't see the game so I
Sun, 02/26/2012 - 00:25 — unc098Didn't see the game so I can't comment on this edition of State's ability to collapse. The problem with losing four straight at this point of the season is that it can become an avalanche. There are times when the Pack looks like it should be very good. I thought they actually played quite well against Carolina. I certainly expected them to take Clemson. But Littlejohn can be a tough place for the timid of heart as you say.
... The state players understood the importance of the game, max
Sat, 02/25/2012 - 17:58 — gvillegatrThey just couldn't do anything about it. Pathetic defense by Brown on the go ahead three by Clemson. Stand and watch.