NCSU is tough at home and #9 in the nation. I think the score was 69-67 (NCSU in the lead) when Mabrey went out with an injury. Kitley fouled out and our team leader got injured in the final minutes of that game. IMHO, Tech played well for the most part. They just can't let their first 2 conference loses effect them mentally when they host UNC. I'm still optimistic, but a home loss to a middle of the pack UNC team may lower my optimism. Kenny's teams have not done well in ACC play in the month of January. It seems they get going by early to mid-February but by then, the hole that they had dug is too deep to get out of (that is, make the NCAA tournament). Beating UNC (especially without Mabrey) will be a positive sign. On a positive note, at least Tech has already played 2 (both top 10 teams) of their 3 or 4 toughest conference opponents.