North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Hosts North Carolina on Senior Day
2/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 22, 2002
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-The scenario is unlike anything NC State basketball fans have seen in a long, long time. On a day when the Wolfpack tries for a second time to wrap up its first 20-win regular season in 13 years, the opponent is North Carolina. And if that's not enough drama and emotion for you, consider that popular seniors Archie Miller, Anthony Grundy and Brian Keeter will be playing their final home game at the ESA.
"It doesn't get any better than this, especially for Archie, Brian and me," said Grundy, who leads NC State in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. "It's a great way to end a career."
But there won't be any celebrations unless the Pack wins. North Carolina, which has had very little to celebrate this season, would like nothing more than to spread its misery by spoiling the party. At 7-17 overall and 3-10 in the ACC, the Heels have very little to play for and nothing to lose. If nothing else, an upset win over the Wolfpack could go a long way in helping the Tar Heels avoid an unprecedented last place finish in the league.
"It would really be a downer to go down on senior day, regardless of who we are playing," Miller said. "The fact that we're playing Carolina at home will make it a huge day for our university. But the game won't be any different than any other game for the team. The atmosphere will be different and senior day will be a little bit different, but I don't think the team approach or my mentality will be any different. We're going to do the same things that got us here and hopefully we're going to be able to take care of business. Senior day is senior day but the team comes first. We have to put out enough effort to get that win and then after that, hopefully, we'll be able to take a look back."
For NC State, there is still plenty of business to take care, especially in the wake of last Wednesday night's disappointing 65-59 defeat at Georgia Tech. As a result, a 20-win regular season, a winning record in the conference and-quite possibly-an NCAA bid could be at stake this Sunday.
North Carolina didn't have much fun on Wednesday either. Playing at home, the Tar Heels dropped an 86-78 decision to Ohio University. It's been that kind of year from the very beginning for Matt Doherty's club, which opened its season with humiliating home losses to Hampton and Davidson. Still, Wolfpack coach Herb Sendek won't allow his team to get lulled into thinking that this one will be easy.
"Anytime you play you can lose," Sendek said. "The differences between teams aren't nearly as dramatic as they're made out to be. Any number of games that you win or lose during a given year on a possession or two can go another way. North Carolina is capable. They have good talent and we're going to have to play well."
NC State played fairly well in the first meeting between these two clubs when it whipped the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill 77-59 back on January 23. Grundy (21 points, 8 rebounds) and Miller (20 points) were the key cogs in that victory. Of course, UNC played without one of its senior leaders, Jason Capel, who sat out with a concussion he had suffered in an earlier game. Capel, a 6-8 forward, leads Carolina in scoring (14.7) and rebounding (8.6). Senior center Kris Lang had 27 points and eight rebounds in that first game.
"We've never had a senior day since I've been here where Carolina has been the opponent," Miller said. "That adds to the drama a little bit, I guess. But it's a big game mainly because we're trying to finish up strong. You never know how many wins you're going to need and you never know where you're going to place in the ACC Tournament."
At 8-6 in ACC play, NC State currently stands a half game behind Wake Forest in the battle for third place in the standings. The Deacons will have a tough assignment on Sunday when they go on the road to face second ranked Maryland.
Sunday's game between NC State and North Carolina will mark the 200th meeting in an ancient series that dates back to the 1912-13 season. UNC holds a 128-71 advantage in the all-time series and the Pack hasn't defeated the Heels in Raleigh since 1996.
Collins could be back: NC State freshman Jordan Collins, who did not appear in the Georgia Tech game, has been slowed by a case of bursitis in his foot. The 6-10 center from Hyattsville, Md. is expected to be available for Sunday's contest.
