There was a moment, right after Graves tied it up at 56 and the clock ticked under 5:00, when the crowd finally got into the game and the Coliseum got loud and then Zeller got a rebound and it felt like this really was North Carolina playing in Greensboro in the ACC tourney...and then a turnover, and well, sigh.
Nice to see all those people spending all that money in our town, though. Should be plenty of tix for sale for the rest of the games.
Meanwhile at Madison Square Garden, Notre Dame won its 6th game in a row, beating 16th ranked Pitt 50-45. Looks like a player named Hansbrough will once again be playing in the NCAA tournament. Only his name is Ben, and he's wearing the blue and gold.
Here come the Irish!!! (God it feels good to say that and mean it)
Posted by: John The Catholic | Mar 11, 2010 at 10:56 PM
I like the line about Tech only being the third team to beat UNC three times in a season in the past 35 years. If you only go back 2 more years, State beat UNC three times in back to back seasons of '73 and '74. Must still be too painful to talk about.
Anyway, the Spring football game will be televised on ESPNU sometime in April.
Posted by: Kim | Mar 12, 2010 at 09:11 AM
NCSU was on probation in 1973 (recruiting violations) and also in the 80's again. Irony is ironic. 2 National Championships, both tainted with violations either preceding or after winning. Must be painful to talk about.....intelligently anyway.
Posted by: Yarddawg | Mar 12, 2010 at 02:51 PM
Nothing intelligent about facts. State beat Carolina three times in'73, and three times again in '74. It's in the record book.
Posted by: Kim | Mar 12, 2010 at 03:13 PM
Agreed. Facts are facts.
Posted by: Yarddawg | Mar 12, 2010 at 03:26 PM
BTW, UNC class of '82, and a Ram's Club member for 20+ years, and yes it is painfull!
Posted by: Kim | Mar 12, 2010 at 03:29 PM
I really hope Roy and Dick come to their senses and bury a stake in this team, as opposed to accepting a bid to a lesser tournament. UNC v. Colgate at Woolen Gym doesn't really strike me as a good idea.
Posted by: A. Bulluck | Mar 12, 2010 at 04:58 PM
Too bad the Tin Can is gone. I did hear that the NCAA now runs the NIT, and you might not be able to turn down an invite; but I agree 1000%.
Posted by: Kim | Mar 12, 2010 at 05:16 PM
I think they should accept and NIT invitation to send a message to the team that this season is unacceptable. I hope it serves as a reminder and leaves a bitter taste in their mouths that will create a sense of urgency for 2011. Never take winning for granted.
Posted by: Yarddawg | Mar 12, 2010 at 05:55 PM
I am only afraid of going 16-17, losing season.
Posted by: Kim | Mar 12, 2010 at 06:06 PM
This team doesn't deserve to play another game. It's in the best interest of the program and the tradition to just stop. They decided to stop playing competitive basketball in early January. You really think they're gonna kick it up a notch in late March to make a run at an NIT championship? Really?
Posted by: A. Bulluck | Mar 12, 2010 at 06:10 PM
I think they should go if invited, not to send a message to the team, but to give the team a chance to continue improving and perhaps to accomplish a goal.
Posted by: Ed Cone | Mar 12, 2010 at 06:11 PM
You really want to watch that garbage take the floor again? Few teams get worse as the season progresses, but this team has done an exceptional job of doing so.
Posted by: A. Bulluck | Mar 12, 2010 at 06:21 PM
If the team wants to do it, sure. I would pull for them if they were 0-30.
They played better in three out of their last four games, too.
Posted by: Ed Cone | Mar 12, 2010 at 06:25 PM
I'm sure Roy would take all the extra practice time he could get with these young men. They did play with some heart last night, and we got a glimpse of what ga-Zeller could be if he stayed healthy.
Posted by: Kim | Mar 12, 2010 at 06:33 PM
If you attended the DePaul, Wyoming, and/or Georgetown games back in the 2003 N.I.T., you'd know where I'm coming from. The "faithful" didn't exactly show up at those games. The student body did, for sure, but the wine 'n' cheese-loving season ticketholders...not so much. Let the season die. It's been on life support since the Charleston loss.
Posted by: A. Bulluck | Mar 12, 2010 at 06:58 PM
Honestly it is not a foregone conclusion UNC will be invited but I suspect the invite because the NIT typically gets few opportunities to have UNC available. It would provide opportunities for "team growth" to Ed's point. If there is no invite many will be happy and if there isn't one many will be pleased.
Posted by: Yarddawg | Mar 12, 2010 at 07:31 PM
My last sentence was red wine induced stupidity
I meant to say If there is no invite many will be happy and if there is one many will not be pleased.
Posted by: Yarddawg | Mar 12, 2010 at 11:30 PM