Gottfried: State is confident going into rivalry

North Carolina State University

Gottfried: State is confident going into rivalry

By Josh Goodson

Jan 24, 2012

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For the first time in a long time, the NC State-North Carolina basketball game has meaning to both parties involved.

The Wolfpack, led by first-year head coach Mark Gottfried, will make the trip to the Dean Smith Center with plenty of confidence after starting the ACC season 4-1. Carolina (16-3, 3-1) enters the rivalry game coming off a road win over Virginia Tech Thursday.

"Our guys have some confidence right now. We've won a few games on the road and we have some pep in our step right now," said Gottfried in an interview with The Insiders on 620 The Buzz on Tuesday morning.

Gottfried said he was happy to see his team earn a "gutsy" win against Miami on Sunday, but added that the attention quickly turned to the Tar Heels.

"As soon as the game was over down in Miami, everyone's attention shifted real quickly to North Carolina."

The Tar Heels will enter Thursday's game with fresh legs after a week off since the win over Virginia Tech, but they'll be without defensive stopper and backup point guard Dexter Strickland, who tore his ACL in the second half of the 82-68 win over the Hokies.

As for the game, Gottfried admitted that defending Carolina big men Tyler Zeller and John Henson will be a challenge.

Gottfried jokingly admitted that he might need to seek out the advice of football coach Tom O'Brien regarding how to approach the rivalry. O'Brien has led NC State to five straight victories over the Tar Heels in football.

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RE: Gottfried: State is confident going into rivalry

Unc consistently goes to the FT line 10-20 times than their opponent.

Duh thats because they pound the ball inside!!!!

quit whining about the calls before the game is even played..
- Posted by tarheelborn65

History tells us we know what to expect.

If it's officiated fairly (and that's all we ask), then I expect a dogfight.
- Posted by TruthBKnown Left The Building
Blaming the refs, how conviently deflecting.
- Posted by cussmikemeout

There's nothing for which to blame the refs. The game has not even started yet.

It was a conditional statement (if this, then that...) If it's officiated fairly, expect a dogfight.

RE: Gottfried: State is confident going into rivalry

I don't think this game will have Duke getting many calls from the refs. Some people lose focus and have a short attention span.

RE: Gottfried: State is confident going into rivalry

State is playing solid basketball. This game depends on which UNC team shows up and how much they miss Dexter. Coach Willams said earlier today the bench support has not been very consistant this year and could be an issue.

Coach K the Cheater

i think duke really does get a lot of calls just because of coach k's style. he intimidates the refs so that their afraid to give the toss up calls to the other time (most of the time).
- Posted by senor wuf

True, the refs are always on their side.he,he,he,he

RE: Gottfried: State is confident going into rivalry

Unc consistently goes to the FT line 10-20 times than their opponent.

Duh thats because they pound the ball inside!!!!

quit whining about the calls before the game is even played..
- Posted by tarheelborn65

History tells us we know what to expect.

If it's officiated fairly (and that's all we ask), then I expect a dogfight.
- Posted by TruthBKnown Left The Building

Blaming the refs, how conviently deflecting.

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