I am going to take you back in time for a moment. It is January 22nd, 2003, you are in Raleigh, NC. The North Carolina State Wolfpack has just defeated the Duke Bluedevils 80-71. Move ahead a few days to 1/26/2003, still in Raleigh. The Wolfpack has just beaten the UNC Tarheels 86-77. It was a 3 game win streak that started with a win over the Noles in Tallahassee. Fast forward to 1/12/2013, the Pack has just beaten the #1 ranked Blue Devils. Jump ahead to 1/26/2013, State has just defeated the Heels 91-83. Exactly 10 years to the day of the 2003 win. That is how far back you have to go to find the last time NC State beat both Duke and UNC in the regular season. The Pack beat UNC in the regular season in 2007 and Duke in the ACC tourney.

Local loud mouth and bogus class enrollee, Dexter Strickland, had been quoted back in October as saying "They talk those guys up every single year and we beat them every single year,they are the least of our worries. Beat us one year and then they can talk smack. Until then, you can't put them in the mix."  Dexter backed up his strong words with a stellar 6 point performance on Saturday night. Way to be in the mix Dex! On the Wolfpack side of the ball, 3 players scored double-doubles; Lorenzo Brown had 20 pts and 11 rebounds, Richard Howell had 16 pts and 14 rebounds, and CJ Leslie scored 17 points with 10 rebounds. TJ Warren kicked in 19 points and Scott Wood hit 3 3 pointers and 3 FT's for 12 points. His last 3 was the best as he got fouled and also hit the FT for a 4 pt play. The Pack is 24-3 when Wood hits 3 or more 3 point shots.

Admittedly, the Tarheels have been a roadblock for the Wolfpack for quite some time. Even when the Heels have had down years, they somehow brought their A-game to play against the Pack. The last time the Wolfpack beat Carolina was February 3rd, 2007. It was Sidney Lowe's first year as head coach and the debut of the red blazer. But this is a new Wolfpack team. The Pack is finally back to it's level of play when Valvano was coaching. This team has the ability to make a serious run at the NCAA Championship. Focus, playing with the same intesnsity in both halves of the game, and staying out of foul trouble are keys to another Sweet 16 and beyond this season.