Pack Basketball and Expectations

Despite what you hear about the high demands wolfpack fans place on their basketball coaches, truth be told, NC State fans have very low expectations. It wasn't always that way, but after the Les Robinson era and the first half of Sendek's tenure, we became really good at looking for moral victories. You know, those games that you lose, but one bright spot or another pops up.

During the latter years of Herb's stay, even when we were favored, we fully expected to lose. We got some great surprises along the way, and it was fun, but our expectations were often met as well, like the heartbreaking collapse against Vandie in the NCAA's.

Even last year, when it was obvious we had a big game won, I just kept looking for how we would blow it. But, it is a new era. That comes with a whole new set of challenges. Not only do NC State fans expect to win this year, but apparently everyone else expects State to be pretty damn good.

Out of Operation Basketball comes word that NC State is picked to finish 3rd, behind UNC and Duke this year. Brandon Costner is pre-season All ACC, and JJ Hickson finished 2nd in Rockie of the Year voting.

ESPN Fans pick NC State 17th nationally, and Yahoo Sports/Rivals.com have Brandon Costner picked as the best small forward in the game.

So the big question becomes, can NC State handle these expectations? It is a new situation for both the fans and the team. If the team can live up to this optimism, it is going to be a fun time to be a basketball fan in the triangle.

Brandon Costner hurt in Pan Am Tryout

Wolfpack forward aching for spot on Pan Am team

If the ice wrapped around Brandon Costner's right knee did not explain it, the expression on his face did.

Costner's chances of making the U.S. basketball team for the Pan American Games became a little dimmer after he banged his already injured knee against another player in tryouts last week at Haverford College.

The sophomore at North Carolina State, who is the son of former St. Joseph's great Tony Costner, still hopes to hear his name called when the 12-man roster is announced today.

"It's definitely holding me back," a glum Costner said about his knee. "I'm putting my heart into it. This was something I was really looking forward to." More...

End Of The Run...

Heels claim 16th ACC Title with 89-80 win over Wolfpack.

What a four day run... I'm wiped out and I didn't have to get off of the couch. What an effort by the Pack. Sid had them believing when the rest of us were giving up. When State went down 16 I was afraid they were going to get run out of the building.

Brandan Wright was named Tournament MVP. I guess it was the 10-12 shooting performance in the BC game and the 14 first-half points that earned it for him. Brandon Costner broke NC State's tournament scoring record with 90. Costner and Wright were unanimous choices for the 1st team. They were joined by Gavin Grant, Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington.

The 2nd team consisted of Courtney Fells, Ben McCauley, Engin Atsur, Al Thornton and Tyrese Rice. Wonder if a team has ever placed all five starters on the All-Tournament teams before?