The Wolfpacker Special Edition

022113— Wolfpacker Express

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www.thewolfpackeronline.com feb. 21, 2013 Showdown In Chapel Archrival Hill Pack Goes For Sweep Of T By Matt Carter he last time that NC State suited up in the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill with a chance to finish off a regularseason sweep of its archrival North Carolina was 2003. The Pack was looking to extend a threegame winning streak against UNC during what NC State fans gleefully remember as the Matt Doherty years in Chapel Hill. The year before when the two teams matched up at the Dean Dome, NC State routed UNC 77-59 to end a six-game skid against the Heels. The most memorable aspect of the 2002 triumph in Chapel Hill was Wolfpack fans taking over the Heels' home court, chanting "Wolf-Pack" in the latter stages of the blowout loud enough that it was audible even for those watching at home. "I have never seen that much red in this building," former NC State guard Archie Miller said afterwards. "They [NC State fans] were full-fledged. They were everywhere. They were hiding in the rafters. They were coming out of the tunnels. There were people trying to grab your hands. They were really into the game." The Pack completed the sweep of UNC with an easy 98-76 home win weeks later, and then topped Carolina 86-77 in the first JUMP TO CONTENTS showdown of 2003, setting up another potential sweep of the Heels. It would not be easy. UNC used an 11-0 run to take a 56-50 lead with five minutes to go against State. Guard Scooter Sherrill and wing Julius Hodge both made clutch shots, however, with Hodge tying the contest with 8.3 seconds left to force overtime. NC State then dominated the extra session to pull out a 75-67 triumph. Since then, NC State has gone winless in the Dean Dome. Pack fans also endured a miserable 13-game losing streak to the Heels dating back to 2007 before NCSU finally put an end to it Jan. 26. The rematch, and a potential first regular-season sweep of UNC in 10 years, is Saturday. Even while basking in the aftermath of an impressive 18-point home win over Florida State Tuesday evening, junior forward C.J. Leslie was cognitive of the next opponent on the schedule. "I am aware of who is up next," Leslie said. "We have to have a good game, because we know they are going to bring it." The previous time the two teams matched up this season, NC State ran around and through UNC in transition to bolt out to a 61-33 lead 27 minutes into the game before cruising home 91-83. The two teams, however, are much On Saturday, Feb. 23, freshman T.J. Warren and the Wolfpack will look to complete a regular-season sweep of the Tar Heels for the first time since 2003. photo by ken martin different a little less than a month later. Most noticeably, North Carolina head coach Roy Williams altered his lineup to go smaller and quicker. He is starting sophomore wing P.J. Hairston in place of sophomore center Desmond Hubert, mov- Page 1 ing sophomore power forward James Michael McAdoo over to play in the middle and surrounding him with four perimeter players. Williams made the switch to the smaller lineup for the Tar Heels' showdown at

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