North Carolina State University Athletics
Big Game for Heels and Pack
2/8/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Wednesday, February 9, 2000 7 p.m.
Entertainment and Sports Arena
Radio: Wolfpack Capitol Sports Network. Airtime 6:30 (listen on 87.7 fm in the arena)
TV: ESPN
By Tony Haynes
As far as the fans are concerned, the NC State-North Carolina basketball game is always important. But on February 9, more than just bragging rights will be on the line.
Entering the contest, the Tar Heels (14-9, 5-4 ACC) and Wolfpack (15-5, 5-4 ACC) are tied with Virginia and Maryland for 2nd place in the ACC standings.
Wednesday night's winner, at least temporarily, will have a chance to feel better about their NCAA Tournament chances.
NC State let a golden opportunity slip through its fingers when it allowed a 12-point lead with seven minutes left to disappear at Maryland on Sunday. Now the Pack must bounce back-again.
"It was a costly game, but any loss in conference play is costly," NC State forward Damien Wilkins said of Sunday's 78-73 defeat to the Terps. "We've just got to keep winning at home right now."
Winning at home has not been a problem for the Pack. NC State is a perfect 14-0 at the Entertainment and Sports Arena, but its road record (1-5, 0-4 ACC) is becoming a source of frustration for players, coaches and fans alike.
One of those road defeats took place in Chapel Hill on January 8th. Carolina shot an unconscious 78.9 percent in the second half and went on to whip State 83-75. Point guard Ed Cota led the Tar Heel onslaught by hitting all eight of his shots in a career high 23-point performance.
"He's a great guard and he made a lot of big shots in that last game," said Wolfpack guard Anthony Grundy. "He really proved to us that he can score if he needs to. We're going to try to limit his touches as much as we can. We've noticed that their offense doesn't run as smoothly when he doesn't touch the ball as much."
Cota leads the ACC in assists (8.4), assists-to-turnover ratio (2.63) and minutes played (35.7). The senior has also scored 38 points in his last two games.
But dealing with Cota will only be a small part of the Pack's problems. Although 7'0 center Brendan Haywood has had an inconsistent year, he has been known to get opposing frontline players in foul trouble. With back-up big man Ron Kelley still recovering from minor knee surgery, NC State will have little margin for error.
In other words, forwards Kenny Inge and Damon Thornton must find a way to play good defense without fouling.
The emotion and intensity of NC State-Carolina clashes can sometimes lead to unpredictable outcomes. But one thing is for certain: The palatial walls of the ESA have never come close to absorbing the type of ear-piercing noise that will be created on Wednesday night.
"The thing I'm really looking forward to is the intensity and the electricity that's going to be in the building," Grundy said. "This is the first year that the game has been held here, and I know the noise is going to be off the charts. The roof's going to get blown off."
The homecourt enthusiasm generated by a supportive crowd will no doubt help the Pack, but it's highly unlikely North Carolina will be intimidated. The Tar Heels encounter boos, jeers and catcalls everytime they step on an opponent's floor.
"They're not going to come in here and lay down just because our crowd is into the game," Wilkins said. "They're a great team and they've been faced with some adversity that they've overcome. We've just got to execute the things that we do and shut down some of the things that they do."
After losing four in a row, the Heels have bounced back to win three of their last four games.
North Carolina leads the overall series 125-70 and has prevailed in 13 of the last 16 meetings. NC State's all-time record at home vs. the Tar Heels is 43-51. UNC has won three straight in Raleigh.
