Well you had to like N.C. State’s effort Wednesday night in the upset of Virginia Tech. The week off was just what was needed for this thin, tired basketball team.

Of course getting Engin Atsur back is really big. State’s season could be entirely different if Atsur hadn’t missed 12 games with a left hamstring problem. He’s still not 100 per cent but his presence on the court really changes things up for the Pack. It allows Gavin Grant and Courtney Fells to play their more natural positions and it makes a team with no depth, a player deeper. Atsur’s a senior who’s been in a lot of tough situations. His leadership has been sorely missed. His nature is to be calm no matter what the situation. State has needed that.

To be honest, I’m not sure playing him 35 minutes was a good thing but Sidney Lowe and the training staff felt he could do it so there you go. But I do know a hamstring injury is a tough recovery and it’s easy to keep re-injuring it. I would say Atsur for a little bit is better than no Atsur at all.

State is certainly not a great team, through 20 games maybe just average at best, but no question the win at Virginia Tech was huge for Lowe, his staff and his team. A shot of confidence means much. It makes a mountain easier to climb and State still has an uphill trek.

But Sidney Lowe knows better than anyone, if you play hard and smart and with passion, you never know what can happen.

In this ACC right now there’s Carolina and the rest. I think State is capable of playing with most of the rest.

They proved that at Virginia Tech.