DALLAS — Herb Sendek surveys the landscape.

CBS Sports banners are being put up around the American Airlines Center.

Cameron Bennerman hangs on the rim with a smile on his face after a dunk and then kicks the ball before relinquishing his hold on the rim.

It must be time for March Madness as N.C. State practices on the eve of its fifth NCAA Tournament first-round game in as many years.

“It’s great to be back in the NCAA Tournament, and I’m looking forward to the challenge tomorrow,” Sendek, the tenth-year Wolfpack coach, said minutes before his team took the floor in Dallas for a final shoot-around late Thursday afternoon.

The team held a two-hour practice earlier in the day at a local high school, its final chance at intense preparation for tonight’s game against California.

Before the team took the floor for the shoot-around, Sendek showed the players a tape of highlights from their season.

“It’s more than psychology. It’s truth. You know, we didn’t fabricate any of the clips that we showed them,” Sendek said. “They actually did all of those things and have enjoyed a terrific season.”

Sophomore forward Gavin Grant scored a total of 45 points in the final two games of the season, both against Wake Forest.

That included a career-high 24 against the Demon Deacons in last Friday’s ACC Tournament quarterfinals.

“He’s playing the four right now, and it’s a tough guard for the other team’s big men to guard him,” senior guard Tony Bethel said. “And he’s taking full advantage of that and [is] able to get some good looks going by the guys at the basket and making plays for others.”

Bennerman, a senior guard, said that despite the team’s four-game losing streak heading into the tournament, State still has reason to be optimistic.

“Despite the losses here in the later part in the season, I mean, we’ve had a good record, a good season,” Bennerman said. “So there’s a lot to be thankful for and stay positive about. And we want to continue to do that.”