Spent the day skiing for next to nothing with the wifey and some friends of mine and had a great time. With virtually no lines, free lift tickets, and 50 degree weather it is hard not to have fun. I would also like to brag that second time skier, Jen, by the end of the day was gliding down the slopes with relative ease in spite of my so called “help”. She’s just about ready for our anniversary (March 12th) trip to Park City, Utah (March 23rd). On a personal not, Brew and I decided to venture down the black diamonds which is something I haven’t done in a while but was able to handle it fairly well. Go me!

What makes this day even better was my NC State Wolfpack bouncing Duke from first round of the ACC Tourney. Although we missed some other good games today, we got to listen to the entire game on the way home and made it home for the last 2 minutes and the overtime. That was plenty to allow me to start the “Go Home Duke” chant in my living room. I was alone but it was glorious.

Its funny listening to all of the talking heads and sports analyst, who less then a year ago during the NC State basketball coaching search, were blasting the us NC State fans and alumni for not wanting Herb around and thinking we can do better. Instead we were repeatedly told “you should be happy with Herb” and “Herb Sendek is a good coach, who else are you going to get?” or the worst one “No decent coach is going to want to come to Raleigh and play second fiddle to Coach K and Roy every year.” Well, I guess they were partly right b/c we got Sidney Lowe and he’s now got wins over Duke and UNC in the same season. When is the last time an NC State fan has been able to say that???? (2002, the only time in Herb’s 10 years).

I’ll admit it, I was worried about Sidney. While its too early to tell if he’ll be great or win a championship, he’s got me believing. Coming from the NBA I was worried about his coaching or lack there of. Considering that the NBA is a 1 on 1 thug fest with very little emphasis placed on the coaching schemes, I wasn’t sure what Sid was going to provide in that department. I will be the first to say, he’s far exceeded my expectations already. He’s gone toe-to-toe with 2 of the best coaches this league has ever had and out-coached them both. Sidney had the guys ready to play and the way he adjusted to Duke’s overplaying defense by orchestrating some great pick and role plays was magnificent. The most refreshing part of this game was to see our guys play 45 minutes. So many times I have seen Wolfpack teams collapse after a scoring drought or cave in after being taken to overtime, but this time was different, there was no quit in this team. The Pack played the entire game and played it with poise. Sid has me believing. The program is going in the right direction and he has already proven he can get in the ring with the big dogs and throw the knockout blow.

Side Notes
* Atsur is going to go down as the most underrated Wolfpack player of all time. The guy is a baller and solid as a rock.
** If Costner keeps at it, he’s gonna be a star.
***GT deserved to lose with those ugly ass shoes they were wearing.
**** What a great first round of the ACC Tourney
***** I’m holding my annual NCAA Bracket Pool if you want in and didn’t get the email let me know.
****** StateFans has a GREAT post on all the crow eating