Strangely enough I was encouraged even after N.C. State blew the 20-point lead at Duke. The Pack was quicker on the ball and dominated the boards, forcing Duke into its usual strategy of bombing 3s until they finally start hitting them. One can only imagine the outcome had the Pack not been in foul trouble the second half.
Then came Saturday’s meltdown vs. Florida State, during which —I’m sure you’ve all heard —Pack legends Tom Guglilota and Chris Corchiani were ejected by referee Karl Hess. The spin seems to be the loss to the Seminoles is more the disease than the symptom:
Even the ejections of former Wolfpack stars Tom Gugliotta and Chris Corchiani from the stands by official Karl Hess with 6:40 couldn’t shake the team out of its funk.
The team certainly didn’t make much noise, much less a big bang.
“We’re better than that,” Gottfried said. “Every team has to go through a process of growing up and getting better. Mentally, we weren’t there.”
And if something doesn’t change, the Wolfpack won’t be there when the NCAA tournament begins. Gottfried certainly didn’t dance around that reality.
“If you want to play in the greatest show on earth, you better toughen up and man up,” he said. “Teams that get to play in (the NCAA) are mentally tough enough to withstand most things and fight their way through.”
Fighting-through time officially arrived for the Pack.
The season rides on Tuesday’s game against the Tar Heels, win or lose. State either fights through or they just pack it in.
