Tired? Not the Wolfpack

As I write this, it's late and I'm tired, but if the N.C. State basketball team can keep doing it, I suppose I can stay up just a little longer. I know I can't be as tired as those guys.

I don't know what the State basketball team is eating and drinking but whatever it is we all need to have some of it. Somehow, someway, this team which has to be running on fumes, keeps playing winning basketball. They're like that Energizer bunny: they just don't wear down.

The NIT selection committee gave the Wolfpack, coming off four grueling days at the ACC tournament, the almost impossible task of having to play a fifth game in six days and do it on the road to boot. The Pack could have moaned and groaned said, “Wwho cares about the NIT. Let’s just get this over with and take a break."

But not this team, which since last Thursday has found something deep inside them that has transformed this 10th-seed in the ACC tournament to something that is becoming a little bit special. It's usually hard to get excited about a team that's just 19-15, and I almost never care about the NIT, but the grit and determination that this weary team has shown has to be admired. At least that’s what I’m thinking.

Tuesday night, having been exiled to Philadelphia for its first-round game, N.C. State turns back Drexel, coming from behind to do it by the 63-56 score. Drexel was bitter about being excluded from the NCAA tournament. The way State's gutting it out, they have more right to complain about being left out of the big show than Drexel does.

There's no question State had to reach way down into the well of emotion to win this one, but again the heart was there. The legs got a little rubbery, but the will to win was very much present. There's no question a strong will can overcome a lot.

"They did it again," said head coach Sidney Lowe. "They dug deep and made plays down the stretch offensively and defensively."

I'm watching this game and State's down 15-4 and I'm thinking, "Well they don't have it, the legs are gone." That’s what you don’t say about this group. Maybe a week ago you could, but you can’t now. These guys just don't quit.

State keeps battling. Engin Atsur, playing 36 minutes on a bad hamstring, scored 18 points. Ben McCauley added 16 and State, which on several occasions looked done, found that little extra and they move on to the second round.(By the way, I could use a little Atsur advice about the hamstring. Mine's been hurting for months and all I do is walk from my desk to the news set.)

Five games in six days, four of them wins, none of them at home. What Sidney Lowe is selling, the team is buying.

"We talk about being mentally tough and focused, taking what we want and not what they're giving us."

Sure it's just the NIT, but that's a championship to be won.

I wasn't sure how State would play. Would they care or not? They cared all right, and they won. Five games in six days is not easy for any team and to win that fifth game, to me anyway, is pretty remarkable.

Survive and advance. That was Jim Valvano's motto, and Sidney Lowe learned from him. You win one you never know.

Now State gets a break. Wow, a whole two days’ rest before Friday's second round. What the heck are they going to do with all that free time?

Hey, maybe it is has nothing to do with what they're eating or drinking or anything else. Could it be the Wolfpack is just having fun?