Running off the momentum of their breathtaking victory against Miami last Tuesday, the men’s basketball team will return to action in the RBC Center Saturday for one of the most highly anticipated match-ups of the season.
“We’ve always been eager to play UNC,” redshirt freshman Johnny Thomas said. “It’s always been one of those rival games for us where we’re really interested in competing against them and beating them.”
State defeated the Hurricanes 84-81 in overtime on a miracle 3-pointer by freshman Julius Mays.
“Going into the game we have this Saturday, yeah, it gives you a good feeling,” coach Sidney Lowe said. “It’s good for the confidence, because you were able to make plays down the stretch—the plays that you need to make to win the game.”
Making plays against Tyler Hansbrough and the Tar Heels may not come easy for the Pack since the team is just 1-4 against the baby blue with Lowe at the helm.
“You can’t hide that. It is what it is,” Lowe said of the record. “Having played here and been through some of those wars and knowing the feeling of winning those games and then turning around and losing them. It frustrates me.”
Don’t expect to see anything but the best on Saturday, though. Lowe will be sporting the red blazer that he donned two seasons ago when State beat UNC-Chapel Hill 83-79 in Raleigh.
“I knew it would be something special. I knew I had to have a red jacket,” Lowe said. “Coach V had one, coach Sloan had the plaid. They all had something. I just didn’t know I’d get that response when I wore it.”
The energy will have to be pulsing in the arena if the red and white want to contain the all-star clad Tarheel lineup consisting of six players who average double-digit scoring.
“They’re a running team and are pretty strong from every area,” Thomas said. “It’s just our job to lock down against them like we did against Miami and get the job done.”
In the game against Miami, Lowe utilized a big lineup with Tracy Smith, Brandon Costner, and Ben McCauley all on the court simultaneously. Lowe has been searching for a consistent lineup all year, and it’s probable that this group of guys may see more playing time together Saturday.
“Obviously we used a big lineup the last couple ball games and I thought that was the best group for us. So there is a chance, yes, you’re probably going to see it,” Lowe said.
Lowe also emphasized the importance of containing UNC guard Ty Lawson, who drained a last-second 3-pointer to lift the team to an 80-77 victory against FSU Wednesday night.
“They happen to have one of the best in the country at the point guard position who creates [opportunities,] not only for himself, but for his teammates,” Lowe said. “And, he’s always applying pressure on you. We have to get back. We have to try to slow that down.”
Regardless of the pressure they may face, the players remain confident that victory against Carolina is within reach.
“When it is game time, we’re going to take care of it on the court,” Thomas said. “If we can limit our turnovers like we’ve done recently, we can win the game.”
