After Loss to Seminoles, Doomsday Clock Continues to Tick in Raleigh

Let me open with this: Thank God for Wake Forest. Without arguably the worst ACC basketball team of all time, NC State could find themselves losing every conference game this season.

The Pack (11-6, 1-2) just don't seem like they want to win. Complain all you want about coaching, but at some point the players themselves need to get it. I could go on and on about how head coach Sidney Lowe has lost control of this team, and how I'm so excited about how new athletic director Debbie Yow will bring the axe on Lowe and bring in a top-tier coach, but honestly I like Lowe. People in Raleigh do want him to succeed. He won a National Title as a player for the Pack (and when you've only won two, that is a big deal) and he clearly bleeds red and white. He just might be in over his head and not fit to be a college coach.

At some point in the second half when Florida State was still perfect from the floor for the half, it seemed as if the Wolfpack players could care less on the defensive end. Florida State (13-5, 3-1) would go on to win 84-71, but that score is closer thanks to some garbage points at the end for the Wolfpack.

The Pack might be in the top three of the most talented teams in the ACC, but that means nothing if there is no hustle, and no passion shown on the court. State's start against Florida State Saturday afternoon was indicative of how this season has gone to this point.

Looking to put the first points of the game on the board, star senior forward Tracy Smith went up for an uncontested layup- and missed. This season is right there for the taking for this team, with their talent and experience (aside from the three freshman, who certainly have the talent) they should not find themselves below .500 in ACC play, it is just unacceptable.

The bright spot for the Pack was out-rebounding the Seminoles, a strong team, 34-29. That- and freshman point guard Ryan Harrow. In his first collegiate start, he scored 17 points and handed out three assists in just 21 minutes played. He hustled the whole game but was clearly out-matched on the defensive end, as he is not big enough yet to be a good defender in the ACC. The Pack also received double-digit scoring from Tracy Smith, who led he team with 19 points, and Scott Wood and C.J. Leslie, who each scored 10.

Florida State received double-digit scoring from five players and eight from one off the bench in limited time. That is an indication of a lack of team defense. This shows a complete dominance at that end of the court for the opponent. The Seminoles shot 54.5 percent from the floor, many of which were uncontested dunks down low. I can understand getting beat by one guy who you seemingly can't find an answer to (like J.J. Redick back in the day would always do to State, and many other teams), but when the whole team is scoring at ease there is a problem.