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Remembering '83: N.C. State Stuns UNC in Reynolds
By Tim Peeler, GoPack.com Feb 20, 2008
Raleigh, N.C. — Nothing this side of a national championship could possibly be sweeter.
Ending three years of frustration that included an 18-point loss in Chapel Hill earlier this year, N.C. State toppled defending national champion North Carolina 70-63 at Reynolds Coliseum Saturday afternoon in front of a raucous, and perhaps a little raunchy, crowd of 12,400.
The victory gave third-year coach Jim Valvano his first career win over the Tar Heels and gave an emotional boost to a program and school that had suffered multiple setbacks during a once-promising season, a boost that goes far beyond improving the Wolfpack’s flagging NCAA Tournament hopes.
“This day belongs to us,” Valvano said. “To be honest with you, I felt this scene would have happened to us a few other times this year. But we lost Dereck (Whittenburg, to a broken foot) and other things happened to us and we went from the castle to the out-house in a hurry.
“But whatever happens the rest of the year, they can’t take this away from us. This is February 19 and this is our day.”
Cups flew in the stands, tears flowed down the players faces and the celebration in Raleigh lasted late into the evening. On the court after the game, the Wolfpack players cut down the nets, a tradition brought to college basketball by legendary N.C. State coach Everett Case. Fittingly, the final strands were chopped off by Whittenburg, who was hoisted up in his street clothes.
“This feels like a national championship,” said sophomore Cozell McQueen, one of the game’s unlikeliest heroes. “This rivalry, it’s something special. It’s all I ever heard of when I got here, and to win a game like this is unbelievable.”
McQueen, a mere 57.6 percent shooter from the line, hit a pair of free throws with 17 seconds to play to seal the game, which the Wolfpack nearly let slip through its paws because of poor free-throw shooting.
The roof of the building nearly flew off in the game’s final moments, when senior Sidney Lowe bounced a pass between his legs to a trailing Thurl Bailey for a thunderous dunk over UNC’s Sam Perkins. That set off a party that hasn’t been seen here since 1974.
“We were feeling like this could be the day,” Bailey said. “I thought that we were catching North Carolina at the right time. We are always ready to play, but it was a little different feeling today. We were more confident down the stretch.”
And, Bailey figures, this win could have long-lasting effects for a team that has been desperately seeking something positive.
“This gives us something to hold on to,” said Bailey, who had a game-high 20 points. “We could finish strong and build a good case for the NCAA if we make the most of this win.
Copyright 2012 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Most Recent Comments
Lived in Virginia during the 82-83 season and I took flak from all of the uva fans; however, during the ACC Tournament, I called a little party some of their fans were having, and I happened to ask the owner of the house(who was a closet ewenc fan) how did he like what was happening on television now? Needless to say I enjoyed the game in Ogden as much because they thought we were going to lose there too, but we didn't.
I remember Brent Mussberger asked Sidney after the victory in Ogden what was next and Sidney replied: On to Albequere, baby.
Want some fun at the Heels' expense? Go to carolinasucks.com! Hours of entertainment there, I tell ya!!
"Just because UNC already has an 8 on 5 ref-enhanced advantage (what is the over/under on Hansborough's drawing of "charge" and "blocking" fouls?) tonight, doesn't mean victory is assured."
Since Duke didn't get the calls against Wake, and the game was allowed to be played FAIRLY, I have faith that tonight will be the same and the game will be close.
Just because UNC already has an 8 on 5 ref-enhanced advantage (what is the over/under on Hansborough's drawing of "charge" and "blocking" fouls?) tonight, doesn't mean victory is assured.
Williams shows how he is as classless as Carolina fans posting here by showing how much he hangs on K's every word instead of getting his team ready for tonight's game.
It is hypocritical that tributes to past UNC championships is "respect for the past" yet tributes to past NCSU championships is a "waste". At least someone at USA Today is UNC/Duke fan, negletcting to acknowledge NC State is on its I-40 "hoops highway".
All I ask is that we don't get plummeted by 30+ points tonight....if we lose by less than 10 or win by 1, I'll be happy....just keep it decent, Pack!
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