Monday, March 19, 2012

Are The Planets Lining Up?

All of you Carolina fans who are old hat at this making it to the Sweet 16 give us Wolfpackers a chance to soak up the glory at least till Friday. It's only the second time in 24 years that we have made it this far.  We have forgotten how it feels to be here.  Yes we were here six years ago but now with the closest thing to Jim Valvano on the bench who goes by the name of Mark Gottfried Wolfpack fans actually have hope that we could do this again next year and the years after.

There is a whole lot of similarities in 2012 and 1983.  The Pack had to beat Virginia in the ACC Tournament in 83 just to get in.  This year a couple of wins got us over the top. We were the last name out of the hat so even though we are an 11 seed it seems like we just did make it. Opening round in 83 we had to beat a California school  Pepperdine in the opening round and this year San Diego St.  83 we had to beat Virginia to win the West Regional and we may very well have to beat Carolina this go round to make the final four.  At the end of the road could be the unbeatable Kentucky much like Houston was in 83.

In 83 State beat Ralph Sampson and company in the ACC Tournament using the three point basket but in the NCAA they had not adopted the three pointer yet so the Pack had to beat Virginia in Salt Lake City the old fashion way with two point baskets.

I know the bubble can burst at any time but it sure is good knowing we are the second team in the Triangle instead of that other triangle school over in Raleigh.

I have to tell you I was pulling hard for Duke Friday night.  The lack of team ball finally caught up with them and the best thing that could happen to Duke is get Rivers in the NBA and start playing team defense again.  Duke could never make a stop when they needed it  against Lehigh.

Yes i was pulling for the Heels Sunday  and  I know North Carolina fans have to be in shock knowing the NCAA has disappeared in front of their eyes. If you were like me when I changed channels last night I'm thinking this Carolina team can beat Kentucky only a half hour later hear of another wrist injury.  I just don't see how Marshall can play and even if they try it if I'm Ohio I press all over the court when Marshall tries to bring the ball up.  Sure was looking forward for State-Carolina playing for one of us to go to the final four but neither might not be there come Sunday.

Both games are Friday night Carolina plays at 7.47 on WTBS and State follows on WTBS at about 10:15.  Bask in the glory at least till Friday.  Kansas will be a tough one for the Pack and Ohio has a chance now that Marshall is injured.  By the way this weekend State travels to Carolina in Baseball both are tied at 5-1.  What a weekend this could be if they meet in basketball Sunday.


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