Defending the Chalk

Little less formal this time, but yes for the first time I'm taking all #1 seeds.  Trust me, I wrestled with this for hours.  Sort of feels like I am coping out and taking easy street, but here is why I broke a cardinal rule:

Ohio State is a dominate team with their only two loses coming on the road verse two of the top sixteen teams in the country.  Sullinger is a beast that can control games single handily.  Not to mention having the all time Big Ten three point shooter on the roster makes for a nice kick out option if you double team Sullinger.  They have veteran leadership in Lighty (who has been there since the Dark Ages).  They are an efficient offense (top 5 in FG% and top 20 in PPG) that can lock down defensively.  Only thing holding them back Thad Matta? His history at Ohio State is too short for me to truly trust him.

Pittsburgh traditionally underachieves in the tournament.  They are always seeded in the top three but are forever not living up to expectations (only one Elite 8 run).  But that Southeast bracket is so amazingly awful you really have no choice but to take them.   BYU lost their leading rebounder and third highest scorer. The whole team was out of sync during the whole Mountain West Tournament (other than Jimmer, who really could be a clone of Curry).  Any one have a clue how Florida got a #2 seed? I'm not confident enough in the SEC to take deep run with Florida.  Wisconsin dropped 33 in a Big Ten Tournament, "nuff said."  I know of a lot of people like St. Johns but the majority of their big wins, at home.  They play down to the talent of the team they are playing and could easily be knocked out of the first round verse the Zags.  It really does suck that Pittsburgh got placed in one of the weakest brackets I have ever seen, I have no choice but to take them to the Final Four.

Not big on taking back to backs but Kyrie Irving and Coach K, not a whole not to argue here.  San Diego State has played only four tournament teams. Texas CAN'T WIN PAST Valentine’s Day, and Uconn just played five games in as many days and wouldn't face duke until the Elite 8.  Kemba is a freak but they will be experiencing a crashing similar to the one Kenny Powers experienced at the Middle School Dance on X (just way too many games).  Besides Duke loves tournaments, any ACC fan knows this.

Kansas is the most complete team in the nation once again with the actual "twin towers" (no that tall but pretty sick combo down low).  They have a wide variety of capable guards in Moringstar, Taylor, Shelby and Reed that the form of the “managing quarterback” role that you see in football today (Sanchez).  I never know how they put what seeds in what brackets but Kansas has been royally screwed lately and this year is no different.  People are raving about the Big East and two of the top four are in the bracket.  That being said it just won't be enough, Kansas is deep and have the taste of blood after being embarrassed in the second round last year.

So Long Sidney

Five seasons ago when he arrived we (being the NC State fan base) all had high expectations.  He played on a national title team, coached in the NBA, and was even an alumni.  Now we waive middle fringes and rejoice in his departure.  The question now being raised is how did the situation turn so sour for one of our own?  Stagnant offense, lack luster defense, and 26 wining, easy answers right?  With Lowe having never made the NCAA and only seven ACC road wins in his tenure it’s a no brainer that his time ran out.  Feels like yesterday when we were searching for a new coach after old Herb walked away. The names being dropped in the Technician would have wowed any fan base with likes of Calipari and Barnes.  And now in 2011 when we are starting our search again you have to ask yourself is NC State still a top job in college basketball?  The ACC is slowly regressing to a foreign form that we've never seen, 4 NCAA bids (one being apart of the newly created "First Four" {which is such a waste of time}).  On top of the diminishing conference dominance you have to deal with the two juggernauts ("I'm the Juggernaut, bitch") down the road, UNC and Duke.  Right off the bat you are stuck behind the eight ball struggling to snag recruits in your own back yard.  We gloat and boast of our illustrious history and two national titles and are dumbfounded of the drought in wins and tournament appearances.  But if you're a 16, 17, 18 year old recruit does NC State even cross your mind?  Our last national title was 28 years ago, along with our last Final Four appearance.  Our last Sweet Sixteen? 2005. And before that 1989. John Wall was born in 1990. None of these kids remember NC State's time in the sun as a relevant national program.  Here is what recruits know about NC State basketball; our best player of the past 20 years (Julius Hodge) lasted less than three years in the NBA and was involved in a drive by shooting.  They hear the fans blast their coach because UNC and Duke have won national title even though Herb had taken the program to five straight tournament appearances, for only the second time in school history.  While we can't do much about how the past ended up, we can start anew and begin a more positive fan base that would attract the talent we need to rebuild a national contender.  

This would include: 

• following the dress code (red ONLY, unless otherwise instructed) 
• Not constantly comparing ourselves to UNC and Duke (during a rebuilding time it’s just unfair)
• Sticking it out rain or shine, blowout, nail bitter, or embarrassment... we don't quit on them and they won't on us
• Create a unique tradition (I can't hear the national anthem without yelling "red") 
• I’d like to make a suggestion: Play one or two ACC games at Reynolds every year.  Screw the money for once and let the opponent see some our history. Besides, if everyone thinks Duke students are intimidating up close and personal then imagine what they'd say about our student body in Reynolds)

This is totally doable and would have a larger impact in the minds of recruits than fancy facilities and ridiculous names being throw in the mix for our coaching vacancy.  Having not grown up a State fan I have only experienced dark times in our basketball history (no offense Sidney) but we all know "the night is darkest before the dawn."  My vote is for Mark Few (thanks Sweet) from the Zags, they aren't the fun sleeper they use to be and its rains more in Washington than UNC and Duke during Sidney Lowe's time.  Whoever it is, I'm sure we will make him welcomed.