The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1043000
NOVEMBER 2018 ■ 93 lapsed in the locker room afterwards and had to be rushed to the hospital. In the NCAA Tournament, Monroe had one of the best performances of his record- breaking career by scoring 40 points in a double-overtime victory against Iowa in Providence, R.I., a win that sent the Wolf- pack to the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in seven years. Facing top-seeded and second-ranked Georgetown, State was down by 16 points in the second half, but a tussle between junior center Avie Lester and Georgetown's Alonzo Mourning sparked a Wolfpack comeback that included 12 unanswered points during one stretch. Part of Monroe's 22 second-half points came on a three- point play that narrowed the margin to 46-42. With three minutes to play, Mourning had four fouls and Corchiani had the ball. The guard drove from the wing inside and put a shot up over Mourning. The ball went into the basket, the whistle sounded and the 19,508 fans at Brendan Byrne Arena went silent, while Corchiani prepared to go to the free throw line for the tying point. The and-one shot never happened. Vet- eran ACC official Rick Hartzell called Corchiani for traveling and waved off the basket. Georgetown scored on its next pos- session and the Wolfpack eventually lost 69-61. While CBS Sports' Billy Packer said it was "the worst call in the history of the NCAA Tournament" and Hartzell later admitted he missed the call, Valvano and his players said the decision was "unfortu- nate" and accepted that their season of trial and triumph had ended. "I've gotten more out of this team than any other that I have coached," Valvano said. "We were not the best team in the conference by a long shot, but for 14 games we were focused on one thing, and we ac- complished that [winning the ACC regular- season championship]. "If it's possible to have something good come out of this adversity, it's the close- ness we felt as a team. I don't think I have ever been prouder of any team I ever coached." ■ In 2012, NC State and athletics director Debbie Yow (left) honored the 1988-89 squad — represented by the "Fire & Ice" backcourt of Chris Corchiani (center, holding trophy) and Rodney Monroe (right) — with the Wolfpack Unlimited award. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN ■ 1988-89 NC State Roster No. Player Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown 52 Chucky Brown F 6-8 Sr. Leland, N.C. The first -team All-ACC selection finished second in the conference in rebounding (8.8 boards per game) and eighth in scoring (16.4 points per outing). 13 Chris Corchiani G 6-1 So. Miami Led the ACC in assists (8.6 per game) and steals (2.6 per contest), and was named second-team all-conference. 54 Brian D'Amico C 6-11 Jr. Reading, Pa. 24 Tom Gugliotta F 6-7 Fr. Huntington Station, N.Y. The future two-time All-ACC player and first-round NBA Draft pick averaged 2.7 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. 3 Mickey Hinnant F/G 6-6 Jr. Raleigh 22 Brian Howard G/F 6-7 Jr. Winston-Salem, N.C. The versatile forward posted 12.5 points per game. 23 Jamie Knox F 6-7 Fr. Vicksburg, Miss. 25 David Lee F/C 6-8 Jr. Torrance, Calif. 32 Avie Lester F/C 6-9 Jr. Roxboro, N.C. Recorded 8.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest. 21 Rodney Monroe G 6-3 So. Hagerstown, Md. Finished second in the ACC in scoring, averaging 21.4 points per game, and was named first-team all-league. 30 Kenny Poston F 6-6 Sr. Cherryville, N.C. 34 Byron Tucker F 6-11 Fr. Oxon Hill, Md. 11 Kelsey Weems G 6-1 Sr. Atlanta Averaged 7.5 points per game in a prominent reserve role.