WRAL Sports Fan

The kid in the wheelchair was right

I remember when I think his name was Kevin, said right after his now infamous courtstorming incident the it "was hard to be a State fan". I have been a huge fan for almost 40 years now ever since at 13 I stumbled upon a game between State and Md in '74 that left the Md cheerleaders in tears afterward. Kept a scrapbook of that magical season and have never looked back. Oddly enough, I was a classmate of Hakeem and Clyde the Glideat U of H in '83 and was not too popular wearing my "Phi Pack Attacka" tee shirt on campus. That said, since those days it just seems that no matter who our coach is or who our players are, we always find a way to underperform. I think last night's loss makes it unlikely that we will win the ACC reg season title. This was our best chance in years with UNC being down and Duke not the usual threat. We have the talent but just somehow still manage to falter. Hell if the UNC game had lasted a couple of mins we might have had the alltime collapse. I still bleed red but just can't believe we are in the same old spot yet another year.

RE: The kid in the wheelchair was right

We have some good recruits coming in. I hope the best is yet to come. You are correct it has been hard being a NCSU fan.

RE: The kid in the wheelchair was right

Underperforming is also a reflection of expectations. Expectations are higher because we have more talent than we've had in years.

The season isn't over, but we've got to figure out how to win on the road. And they've been so close. You'd think we could have pulled out at least one or two of these recent losses. There are some valid excuses for why these games were even close when they shouldn't have been. But at least we're still holding serve at home. I would say that is overperforming. I'm sure no one expected us to have NO home losses at this point.

RE: The kid in the wheelchair was right

Underperforming is also a reflection of expectations. Expectations are higher because we have more talent than we've had in years.

The season isn't over, but we've got to figure out how to win on the road. And they've been so close. You'd think we could have pulled out at least one or two of these recent losses. There are some valid excuses for why these games were even close when they shouldn't have been. But at least we're still holding serve at home. I would say that is overperforming. I'm sure no one expected us to have NO home losses at this point. 

- Posted by TruthBKnown Returned

The losses have been close! Hopefully ZO isn't out long so we can keep being competitive.

RE: The kid in the wheelchair was right

I feel ya there. It is hard being a state fan, but I see the bigger picture. Keeping everything in perspective, I think we're right where we should be at this point. Of course I would prefer us to be winning more, like most, but it takes time. Look at coach K. His first 3 years at Duke were the worst. Because we had a decent finish last year, we started to get some hype around the program, which is good, but I think we are another full year away from really being elite.

RE: The kid in the wheelchair was right

We have some good recruits coming in. I hope the best is yet to come. You are correct it has been hard being a NCSU fan. 

- Posted by PackisBack

But you are losing 4 of 6 players. Duhhhhhh!

RE: The kid in the wheelchair was right

I feel ya there. It is hard being a state fan, but I see the bigger picture. Keeping everything in perspective, I think we're right where we should be at this point. Of course I would prefer us to be winning more, like most, but it takes time. Look at coach K. His first 3 years at Duke were the worst. Because we had a decent finish last year, we started to get some hype around the program, which is good, but I think we are another full year away from really being elite. 

- Posted by coreymm3

Ya, we will be alright. If we can continue to improve, the recruits will start coming. I think Gott has a few growing pains left but he will get better. The foundation is being built we just need to stay the course.

RE: The kid in the wheelchair was right

Sidney Lowe got better reviews his first 2 years....ROFL!!!

RE: The kid in the wheelchair was right

I have State friends like you - and honestly I understand where you are coming from - and there is a part of me that wishes State would achieve some level of success for fans like you. Unfortunately, we are not in the days when someone like K gets a 3 year pass - we are in the what will you do for me immediately world. Your comments are not about expectations or becoming elite - they are about the same things happening year after year to your team - regardless of talent.

Every fan base has an element that set expectations way too high every year and complain when they aren't met. The year is still manageable for State - but they seem to be exhibiting some of the same problems from the past - it is Gottfrieds job to get this team to meet expectations or play to its potential. You can tell that most fans on here already have already set very high expectations for Gott

For your sake I hope your team succeeds this year - obviously for the lunatic pack fringe that live on these boards I don't feel the same -Good Luck!

RE: The kid in the wheelchair was right

I have State friends like you - and honestly I understand where you are coming from - and there is a part of me that wishes State would achieve some level of success for fans like you. Unfortunately, we are not in the days when someone like K gets a 3 year pass - we are in the what will you do for me immediately world. Your comments are not about expectations or becoming elite - they are about the same things happening year after year to your team - regardless of talent.

Every fan base has an element that set expectations way too high every year and complain when they aren't met. The year is still manageable for State - but they seem to be exhibiting some of the same problems from the past - it is Gottfrieds job to get this team to meet expectations or play to its potential. You can tell that most fans on here already have already set very high expectations for Gott

For your sake I hope your team succeeds this year - obviously for the lunatic pack fringe that live on these boards I don't feel the same -Good Luck! 

- Posted by SportznutV2.0

Thanks sportznut very true statement.

RE: The kid in the wheelchair was right

I have State friends like you - and honestly I understand where you are coming from - and there is a part of me that wishes State would achieve some level of success for fans like you. Unfortunately, we are not in the days when someone like K gets a 3 year pass - we are in the what will you do for me immediately world. Your comments are not about expectations or becoming elite - they are about the same things happening year after year to your team - regardless of talent.

Every fan base has an element that set expectations way too high every year and complain when they aren't met. The year is still manageable for State - but they seem to be exhibiting some of the same problems from the past - it is Gottfrieds job to get this team to meet expectations or play to its potential. You can tell that most fans on here already have already set very high expectations for Gott

For your sake I hope your team succeeds this year - obviously for the lunatic pack fringe that live on these boards I don't feel the same -Good Luck! 

- Posted by SportznutV2.0

Nothing is different now then it was then. Coaches do get time to make an attempt to build a program. Fans, especially State fans, including myself, want immediate results. But that doesn't necessarily change the culture we're in. Gottfried's job isn't to get the team to meet expectations. Most times, expectations are what's desirable, but far from realistic. I do agree that it is his job to get them to play to their full potential. Minus the Oklahoma State, Maryland, and Wake Forest game, I think they have done so.

But we have made tremendous progress: We're on pace to have a better record than last year, provided we don't have a complete meltdown, we have beat our two in state rivals for the first time in years, we have been in the top 25 conversation for most of the year, and the fans are excited about basketball again.

Still a lot of work to do, but like I said, we'll get there, it takes time.