Monday, January 14, 2013

Everybody Has One

Sunday Michigan was the last unbeaten team in college basketball and Ohio State made them a one time loser.  All four of the unbeatens going into the week lost.  Duke fell from #1 all the way to 3rd.  Louisville a team that lost to Duke last year (November)assumed the top spot and they survived the being #1 tonight at U Conn.  So former North Edgecombe player Montrezl Harrell a freshman plays on the top team in the land.

N C State moved up to #14 in the AP Poll.  Duke stayed #1 in the RPI and quite frankly with the schedule they have left combined with what they have already played this year they will probably be #1 in RPI all year. N C State  playing #1 Duke Saturday jumped back to #10.  Don't snooze on this team but Miami is 8th in the RPI.  One of the things I like about RPI is it tells you how tough of a schedule you have played and from that Miami has lost only three times all year.

I don't know when the votes for all the major awards in the NFL were done or even if they have been done yet but if they haven't Russell Wilson wrapped up the rookie of the year award.  I do believe however the voting was done after the regular season ended and if that is so RG 3 will win it.  Peyton Manning probably will win the MVP but he sure didn't play like the best against Baltimore.  Denver went way conservative once they got the lead and how in the world do you give up a bomb with 30 seconds to go in the game.

In middle school I was a safety on our team and the first rule of a safety is don't let anybody get behind you.  How in the world do you go for an interception and misplay the ball with 30 seconds to go?  San Fran is a different team now that they have changed quarterbacks.  Right now I'm picking them to win Super Bowl but I wouldn't depend on it.  I was 1-3 this weekend and 3-5 in the NFL playoffs so far.

Funny schedule for high school basketball this week as Rocky Mount travels to Fike Wednesday.  They are then home to Southern Nash Friday.  Plans are right now for me to be at Northern Friday night covering the Fike -Northern girls game for TV.  This is a big week for the Fike girls as they get both Rocky Mount and Northern.  So far Fike girls looking good and this is their chance to upset the apple cart with both RM and NN this week.

Big Week For The Wanna-Bees

Let's face facts, in football N C State has not won a conference football championship since 1979.  Yet they have increased the capacity of the football stadium 50% because Wolfpack fans can't get enough Wolfpack football..  Even in the years when they have been ready to get rid of the coach 38,000 would be in the house.

Basketball has not won a conference championship since 1987.  Since Tobacco Road is the Mecca of the college basketball world N C State has lagged behind Carolina and Duke and in many years behind Wake Forest.  Yet the palace they play basketball in is 50% larger now than the size of Reynold's where they won their last title.

The Wolfpack nation has supported it's sports through thick and thin and Saturday as the students stormed the court those that sit in the money seats stayed in the house to watch the celebration because they too hunger for more victories.  The good news in all this increase in wins in basketball is there are no secrets hidden that when they get out will  embarrass the Wolfpack Nation.  Debbie Yow has made demands on coaches to win and win the right way.  She has even proven this year she that she wants coaches out shaking every bush for the type player that N C State wants.

Saturday those Wanna-Bee's made a grand step in beating Duke when Duke stood as the tallest team in America as the #1 team.  It doesn't matter to me who Duke had on the court the Pack couldn't afford to say we couldn't even beat Duke when they were a man down.  They did what they had to do.  Most every player got a ride above the crowd as the students hoisted CJ and company  while basking in the victory.

Guess what?  The Duke game is over and there is  a trip to Maryland Wednesday.  If you have been a reader of this column then you know I have told you in the past Wanna-Bees will beat a team that they are not suppose to beat every now and then  but turn right around and lose to someone they are not suppose to the next. Maryland is not one of those teams that is a guarantee win for the Pack.

There is never any disgrace is losing when you play well.  Duke on the road to a top 20 team could have won Saturday had State not made 20 of 23 free throws.  Richard Howell being a beast under the boards.  If State shows up and plays well at Maryland and loses that is easy to accept.  I have no visions of N C State going undefeated in conference play but from where the Pack sits right now at 3-0 a 14-4 conference record is possible.  14-4 could very well win the regular season title.

As a Wanna-Bee N C State must now make that step to a 14-4 type team.  They can't afford a lost to Georgia Tech or the likes because the ACC has plenty of teams ready to hand you a loss if you ask for it.  Miami, Florida State, Duke, Carolina.  All right you Wanna-bees, you have asked for this.  You have starved for this moment.  You stand in the doorway looking squarely into the eyes of  the world of basketball powerhouse.  The question is now Do you really want to step through that door and join Carolina and Duke or would you rather keep playing the role of a Wanna-Bee.