State 72, Virginia 67

State kept up its good play of late en route to a five point win over Virginia on Saturday. 

Once again, State played well early, building an 18-point lead during the first half. But, the Pack, as usual, gave up that lead before halftime and went into the locker room up only four. 

I am happy with the win, but still not quite sure how to feel about this team. There has yet to be much consistency, in play, scoring or any other facet. 

Saturday, Dennis Horner and C.J. Williams came off the bench to lead the Pack while starters Javi Gonzalez and Brandon Costner decided not to show up. Horner and Williams combined for 28 points while Costner and Gonzalez managed just nine, none of which came from Costner. Gonzalez also accounted for seven of State's 20 turnovers. 

When the Cavaliers cut another N.C. State lead in the second half, which was 17 at one point, to one with less than one minute left in the contest, it was State's senior leader Courtney Fells who took over. Fells hit four free throws in the final seconds to seal the victory for the Wolfpack. 

The Pack moved to 5-7 in conference with the win and have a fee days rest before traveling to Wake Forest on Thursday. If State wants to make a strong case to be a part of the big dance, it is going to need to win three of its last four and probably a game or two in the tournament. 

8-8 is not a far stretch for this team, especially if they play well. It will most definitely be interesting to watch and see what this group can do in the last couple weeks of ACC action leading up to the tournament in Atlanta. 

Check out the locker room report via PackPride.

Baseball opens season with loss to Rhode Island

N.C. State opened its 2009 baseball campaign Friday afternoon at Doak Field with a disappointing 11-8 loss to the Rams from Rhode Island. 

Who knows what caused the Pack's struggles. Maybe it was the weather -- the temperatures were barely in the 40s all afternoon. State held a lead throughout much of the game but gave up five runs in the eighth inning on its way to dropping the game. State had two runners on with two outs in the ninth down three, but a strikeout ended the game. 

Obviosuly a loss is never good to start a season, but it's Feb. 20. I'm not too worried. 

State has plenty of talent to rely on this season, both young and old. Two freshman, Pratt Maynard and John Gianis, both saw significant action in the opening game. Harold Riggins, also a freshman, came in for Pat Ferguson at first base late in the contest. 

State will take on Xavier Saturday afternoon and Santa Clara on Sunday. Both games are scheduled for 3 p.m.

Pack falls to UNC in Dean Dome

N.C. State suffered a tough loss Wednesday night at the hands of the No. 3 ranked Tar Heels in the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill.

The 89-80 loss for the Wolfpack doesn't sound too bad, but the game really wasn't close for much of the second half.

In the first 20 minutes, State was right on Carolina's heels and found themselves down just three points at the break. Sophomore point guard Javi Gonzalez had the best 20 minutes of his life during the first half, scoring 16 points and going 6 for 6 from the field. The Pack wasn't playing especially great as a whole in the first half, but they were most definitely in the ball game.

That's when the proverbial wheels fell off for the Pack. Carolina opened the second half with a 14-2 run and never really looked back. During the run and throughout much of the second half, the Tar Heels looked like a well-oiled machine. All everything point guard Ty Lawson controlled the tempo and got his team involved as four Tar Heels scored at least 15 points. And senior forward Tyler Hansbrough scored 27 points, marking the 35th time in his career that he scored at least 25.

Because I covered the game for Technician last night, I got an opportunity to talk with some players following the game and sit in on Coach Lowe's press conference. The mood, as a whole, seemed fairly upbeat despite the outcome. The players and Lowe were all disappointed, but they all spoke about how this team has continued to improve during the last month or so.

Heading into Saturday's game against Virginia, State needs to be cognisant of not having a letdown loss. The Cavaliers are coming off a big win over Virginia Tech and will be coming into the RBC Center with growing confidence. State needs to do what it has been doing by puhsing the ball and getting the ball inside to Tracy Smith and Ben McCauley. Limiting turnovers will also be key for Saturday's matchup. The 15 the Pack commited against the Tar Heels is simply too much.

My feelings about this team did not change following the loss in Chapel Hill. Carolina, talent wise, is on another level at this point. This team still has a chance to go dancing in a few weeks if they will continue to improve and keep winning games.

N.C. State 86 , Georgia Tech 65

The Wolfpack picked up a big victory in Atlanta this afternoon, moving to 4-6 in conference play heading into Wednesday night's showdown with the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill.

The Pack looked good on offense once again against the Jackets. Tracy Smith picked up yet another triple double while Javi Gonzalez continued his solid play of late. C.J. Williams and Dennis Horner came off the bench to both score in double figures.

State looked good during several stretches Saturday, but it needs to continue to work on limiting turnovers if it hopes to make any noise in the last few conference games. 21 turnovers is way too many.

Not an overly impressive win for the Pack, but like I've said before, a win is a win. And a step in the right direction.

Check out the recap via ESPN.

State holds on, picks up victory over Wake

N.C. State picked up a huge 82-76 victory over Wake Forest Wednesday night in a crucial ACC matchup. 

I got to cover the game tonight for Technician and I must say, State played well. They did allow Wake Forest to cut a 20 point lead down to three, but a win is a win. 

Now the Pack needs to keep playing well as it heads into a matchup against Georgia Tech this Saturday. 

Here's a look from my perspective as students rushed the court following the victory. 

Pack falls to Hokies in OT

Well...

It happened again. State blew a second half lead of nearly 20 points, and this time, Julius Mays didn't hit a game winning three to save the day. 

I can honestly say I'm not surprised at all.

State is developing a blueprint for losing games that they should win. It's astounding. 

Sunday's 91-87 loss against Virginia Tech began much like many of the games for the Pack recently. State played well in the first 20 minutes on its way to a 14 point halftime lead. But the second half, better known as choking time, saw State blow its lead, which grew to 19 at one point, and lose in overtime. 

Virginia Tech closed the game on a 21-10 run and allowed N.C. State to score one field goal in the last 9:51. 

As usual, there were bright spots for the Pack. Forward Ben McCauley scored 25 points and hauled in 15 rebounds to lead the pack, but critical defensive lapses and missed free throws down the strecth one again ruined State's chances to pick up a crucial victory in Blacksburg. Dennis Horner missed two free throws late in regulation that would have put the Pack up four points and in good position to win.  

Today's game is quite possibly a new low for me. I cannot fathom how this sort of collapse can happen, in almost the same way, more often than not. It's amazing. 

Here's the box score via ESPN.

N.C. State secures 2009 football class

Wednesday turned out to be a solid day for the Wolfpack football program.  Tom O'Brien and his staff inked 24 high schoolers from all over who will join the N.C. State family later this year. 

Here's a complete list of the signing day additions via GoPack.com

Morgan Alexander 5'11" 180lbs. ATH Cartersville, Ga. 

Brandan Bishop 6'2" 200 lbs.  SAF Boca Raton, Fla. 

Jarvis Byrd 5'11" 180 lbs.  CB Pahokee, Fla. 

Darryl Cato-Bishop 6'4" 250lbs.  DE Groton, Mass.

Tyson Chandler 6'6" 340 lbs.  OL North Plainfield, NJ

Ryan Cheek 6'1" 230 lbs.  LB  Lancaster, Oh. 

Duran Christophe 6'6" 280 lbs.  OL  Woodstock, Ga. 

Sylvester Crawford 6'4" 225 lbs.  DE  Charlotte, NC

Rickey Dowdy 6'2" 225 lbs.  LB High Point, NC

A.J. Ferguson 6'3" 250 lbs.  DL Southport, NC

Denzelle Good 6'6" 325 lbs.  OL Gaffney, SC

Dean Haynes 5'11" 178lbs  CB  Tunnel Hill, Ga.

Quintin Payton 6'4" 190 lbs.  WR Anderson, SC

Everett Proctor 6'2" 200 lbs.  QB Fayetteville, NC

Raynard Randolph 6'2" 320 lbs.  DT Brandywine, MD

Hans Rice 6'2" 205 lbs.  LB Eufaula, Ala.

Deion Roberson 6'3" 275 lbs.  DT Tucker, Ga.

Brian Slay 6'3" 290 lbs.  DT Ashburn, Va.

Rashard Smith 5'11" 175 lbs.  CB Dublin, Ga.

Anthony Talbert 6'4" 230 lbs. TE Cincinnati, Oh.

Bryan Underwood 5'11" 170 lbs.  WR University Heights, Oh.

Chris Ward 6'1" 175 lbs.  P Fayetteville, Ga.

Asa Watson 6'4" 225 lbs.  TE Rock Hill, SC

Camden Watz 6'3" 290 lbs.  OL  Marietta, Ga.

Players who enrolled in spring '09

Donald Coleman 6'0" 210 lbs.  SAF Detroit, Mi.

Sam Jones 6'7" 295 lbs. OL Fuquay-Varina, NC

Nathan Mageo 6'3" 285 lbs.  DT  Pago Pago, American Samoa

James Washington, III 5'11" 185 lbs RB Orlando, Fla.

Signing Day Extravaganza

By the end of today, N.C. State football will have 25 new members. The fiasco that is National Signing Day has turned into a media frenzy event, and the Wolfpack football program is no different.

Coach Tom O'Brien will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. today to announce the 2009 football class. 

I will post a complete list of signees later today with info on the best of them. 

Stay tuned...

Pack picks up win over NCCU

N.C. State, now 12-8 overall, picked up a victory over the Eagles from North Carolina Central Tuesday night.

The 87-59 win came against a team in the Eagles who is now 2-23 overall and one of the worst division one programs in the country.

The break in ACC action came three days after the loss to UNC and five day before State's next action, against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

Forward Brandon Costner led the Pack with 25 points, but N.C. State committed 20 turnovers and allowed Central guard Jamar Briscoe to score 28.

Heading into Sunday's showdown with the Hokies, the Pack must focus on improving guard play and taking care of the ball. If State has any chance of making a late season run and making some noise in the ACC, these problems have to be addressed.

Check out the complete box score here.

Yow memorial defaced Sunday morning

Following Saturday's basketball game against UNC, the mural commemorating the life of Kay Yow in the N.C. State Free Expression Tunnel was painted over. 

Those who painted on the mural wrote statements making derogatory statements about cancer. N.C. State students painted back over the mural with pink paint during the night on Saturday. 

Here's a link to an article from Technician.

Here's an opinion response to the painting from the Daily Tar Heel.

Pack falls to UNC

Saturday's basketball game against North Carolina proved to be what many expected. N.C. State came to play, but they just didn't quite have enough to match the talent of the Tar Heels. 

Tyler Hansbrough completely dominated the inside tandem of Ben McCauley and Tracy Smith. His 31 points were the difference. 

Moving forward, the Pack has plenty of positives to take away from the game. Courtney Fells showed some life, bringing the Pack back in the second half with his three point shooting. Also, Farnold Degand and Julius Mays are playing more consistent at point guard and the entire team is showing great effort. 

If State keeps playing hard, the NCAA tournament is something they can accomplish. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the ACC regular season and season as a whole plays out. I'm cautiously optimistic from here on out.