North Carolina State’s shocking upset of the Houston Cougars in the 1983 title game and the image of the late, great Jim Valvano running around the court in a state of ecstasy is one of the all-time classic moments in college basketball history. Three decades later, the North Carolina State Wolfpack are still seeking to get back to that big stage. The Valvano Legacy Jim Valvano set the gold standard for coaching success at NC State, leading his Wolfpack to the post-season in 8 of his 10 seasons with legendary players like Dereck Whittenburg, Sidney Lowe (who later coached at NC State) and Utah Jazz great Thurl Bailey. The Wolfpack fell on relatively hard times in the next two decades as they watched fellow Tobacco Road rivals UNC and Duke dominate the vaunted ACC. Herb Sendek led North Carolina State to five straight NCAA Tournament appearances starting in 2002, though the Wolf Pack never made it past the Sweet Sixteen. Sendek was replaced by NC State all-timer Sidney Lowe in 2006, but failed to make the NCAA Tournament in five seasons as head coach of the program. The Mark Gottfried Era Begins Hired to take the reigns in 2011 after successful stints at Murray State and Alabama, Mark Gottfried led the Wolf Pack to a stunning 24-13 record in his first year in Raleigh en route to the NCAA Tournament bid, their first since 2006. Another Big Dance invitation followed in 2012 after a 24-11 campaign. Entering his third year at PNC Arena, NC State won’t be sneaking up on anyone. The Wolfpack are back and ready to contend in the talent-laden ACC, which now includes former Big East powerhouses Syracuse and Notre Dame. Built around the scoring prowess of sophomore TJ Warren, the Wolfpack, replacing all five starters, have their work cut out for them. But with one of the top recruiting classes in the ACC including the uber-talented Anthony Barber, NC State is on the rise again. Save on NC State Wolfpack Men’s Basketball tickets Purchase discounted NC State Wolfpack Men’s basketball tickets using ScoreBig.com and watch one of the most compelling basketball teams in the country.