NC State Wolfpack

NC State has now dropped 14 of its last 17 basketball games to arch rival North Carolina. But as I recall, the sun came up and life continued on as usual following each one of those Wolfpack losses.

I guess some people forgot about that aspect of it.

Let me share with you some of the e-mail messages I received the day after Carolina's 70-62 victory at the ESA on Wednesday night.

"The last two games we have looked pitiful. I never give up hope; but tonight I have had enough. There was a day when NCSU meant something. I long for that day."

Let's move on to the next one.

"You guys better get your mess together or you'll be lucky to go to the NIT. I'm sick of watching you lose to Carolina every year."

And how about this one: "Real good job against the Tar Babies tonight. Just rolled over and let them win-so what else is new?"

Believe it or not, I received several e-mails just like that one. Some, in their hysteria over losing to North Carolina, actually suggested that the Wolfpack INTENTIONALLY lost the game.

I bring you a portion of our GOPACK.com mailbag because some of these responses look eerily like many of the messages that were being sent to the North Carolina web site about a month ago. After the Tar Heels dropped four games in a row for the first time since the early 90's, many of their fans acted as if the sky was falling.

It's a good thing the Carolina players and coaches didn't take the same approach. They went about their business, worked hard in practice and remained focused. Since then, UNC has won four of five games and has put itself in a position to go back to the NCAA Tournament.

I can assure you that coach Herb Sendek and his players will do the same. Their mission is to play great basketball over the last six games of the season.

Here's another point: Carolina's struggles earlier in the season were directly attributable to injuries. Bersticker and Curry were already out, and Lang was being limited by shin splints.

Let's not forget that the Wolfpack was missing both Marshall Williams and Ron Kelley on Wednesday night. Without them, NC State is not the same team. Following the game, no one in the Pack lockeroom used that as an excuse, but let's face it; Williams and Kelley had been two key components to State's early success this season.

So here's my advice: Stick with your team because they're not going to abandon you. As you read this, the players and coaches are focusing in on the next game. They'll do everything possible to make sure they're prepared for Virginia. And when the ball goes up, the players will be giving maximum effort.

Isn't that all we can ask of them anyway?