State-Carolina: Let's rate this rivalry

North Carolina

State-Carolina: Let's rate this rivalry

By Dane Huffman

Feb 18, 2009

comments

Look for the red jacket to come out for N.C. State and the North Carolina fans to pack the Smith Center tonight when the Wolfpack plays at the Tar Heels.

But as rivalries go, is this one sizzling … or fizzling?

UNC coach Roy Williams has lost to State only once since returning from Kansas, and the Pack hasn’t been much of a threat to the Duke-Carolina hegemony in the ACC.

N.C. State hasn’t won the ACC title since 1987 and hasn’t been to the Final Four since 1983.

North Carolina has, well, you get the picture. … Overall, the Tar Heels lead this series 139-75 and pounded State 93-76 on Jan. 31 in Raleigh.

State’s last trip to the Smith Center was, depending on your point of view, one of the low points in the series. The Heels scored 25 straight points in one stretch and led 43-13 at halftime.

What do you think is the state of the rivalry at this point? It has had some spectacular moments, as WRAL-TV's Jason Jennings showed Monday.

But now, does this have all the excitement of Florida State at Virginia Tech? (Yawn).

Or is this a rivalry that only needs a spark to get it roaring again?

Weigh in with your thoughts here – and listen in this afternoon on 99.9 FM The Fan ESPN Radio as The Insiders break down the game, and the status of State-Carolina.

Coverage today on N.C. State at North Carolina:

4:25 p.m.: N.C. State guard Javi Gonzalez on The Insiders

5:25 p.m.: Former NCSU star Chris Corchiani on The Insiders

6:25 p.m: Bob Holliday compares Ty Lawson, Sidney Lowe on WRAL-TV

7:30 p.m.: Live Blog from the Smith Center begins

8 p.m.: Game live on WRAL-TV

11:00: Full coverage on WRAL-TV

Late tonight: Game stories, slideshows, Barry Jacobs column, coach and player interviews on WRALSportsFan

Most Recent Comments

RE: State-Carolina: Let's rate this rivalry

"UNC is at the top of the ACC & State is at the bottom. UNC struggled with Miami & State struggled against Loyola MD."

Funny you picked this way to show the differences between the two teams.

UNC struggled with Miami; State beat Miami.
UNC lost to Wake; State beat Wake.
- Posted by Deman

And Carolina beat almost everybody else and State lost to almost everybody else! Grow up, dummy. Comparing results against common opponents is for 10 year-olds, and losers. The only stats that matter are 9-2, 23-2 vs 4-6, 14-9.

RE: State-Carolina: Let's rate this rivalry

I love that I touched a nerve on the 'paid off ref bit" from my first post. Must be some truth to it.

Yes, I am a state fan talking some bs, but there is truth in the fact ACC refs are trained to lean toward the TOP teams to IMPROVE SEEDING in the DANCE. Unfortunelty, duke and unc are near the top always and get most calls. Is that more rational of an arguement tarheel nation?

Please score more than 13 in the first half tonite! go pack
- Posted by mjbiv

You think that's rational? I think it's just about the dumbest post on this board. Refs don't get seeded and don't get any benefit from any one team being seeded higher than another.

Fizzling Out

of course the rivalry is fizzling out. that's because state is not as much of a competition as they used to be. i heard the score difference is going to be 20 points in favor of Carolina

RE: State-Carolina: Let's rate this rivalry

Peyton.....I'm probably older than you....BUT I was hoping to communicate on a level that McCauley could understand.... if he knew how to navigate here. IF it is you that has the problem...I will be glsd to eloquently display a Masters Degree capable... vocabulary. Sorry....but I would have to rate his actions on par with some of the dumbest things I have ever witnessed from state players.....and there have been many....The ONE that all started it for me......
to quote Cozell..."I always wanted to pay ball up north." (He was from SC!!!) Glad it's you guys this week...I am all tired out from what the dookies could throw out last week. You guys are not even a challenge! If you are a TARHEEL....it never ends.
I LOVE IT........GO HEELS!!!

RE: State-Carolina: Let's rate this rivalry

NC State doesn't have enough physical players to run with UNC. They need to hire a strength coach to develop their weak bodies. Anyone can see that they run out of gas in the 3rd quarter. But, they have won more than I would have thought.

WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina