The Wolfpack was right there to win it, just like it had been this entire, remarkable post-season run. But N.C. State's magical and inspired march that began in the ACC tournament ran out of tricks in the hostile environment of Morgantown, West Virginia. The Mountaineers aren't beaten often at home, and they wouldn't lose this one. It was a fight to the very end, but not one that N.C. State would win this time.

State, though, had them squirming before finally falling 71-66. The Wolfpack made them sweat, never letting West Virginia feel comfortable, but Sidney Lowe knew that the Pack had to limit the Mountaineers' three-point shooting and they couldn't do it. They hit 12 out of 24 from behind the arc, including six of nine for Frank Young, who poured in 25 points.

Young had a stretch of 14 straight points, including back-to-back three's that gave the Mountaineers a 64-62 lead. It was that first three which he banked in off glass that may have been the indication that it would be West Virginia pulling the rabbit out of the hat this time.

Still, Engin Atsur, who was never 100 percent during his senior season, hit a three of his own to give the lead right back to State 65-64. But West Virginia's Alex Ruoff bombed in one of his own and State never got the lead back.

So State's season ends with a loss, but it's a loss that will whet the appetite for next season. This State team learned a lot about how to win in these last three weeks or so. They, somehow, found something deep inside to turn a dismal 15-14 regular season into something special that gave their fans hope that the future will be as bright as Sidney Lowe's red blazer.

This wasn't a great team by any stretch but a good team in the end. It was a team that learned in a short span how to fight instead of quit, learned what heart is all about and even in losing they gave hope for what could be in store down the road. They made State basketball fun and started the foundation for what Lowe hopes will become an elite program.

"This was one of the most gratifying teams I've ever been associated with," a dejected but proud Lowe said afterward. "They worked their tails off and exceeded all expectations."

Everybody, except the valuable Engin Atsur, will return. Good recruits are coming in, and Lowe has shown that he knows how to coach. Seven games in March had his players believing and it left them and State fans wanting more.

It seems that fire and passion are back in N.C. State basketball.