Red or Blue? Time to Pick a Side!

As rivalries go, I don't think "State vs Carolina" is getting its proper amount of respect these days. Nationally, "Duke vs Carolina" gets all the attention -- and rightfully so -- but let's face it... between Murphy and Manteo any game between the Heels and Pack can set off a Civil War.

In his pre-game press conference this week, Roy Williams put it all in perspective. "Everybody wants to talk about Duke, " Williams said, "but when I was growing up, my biggest rival was NC State."

And so it goes for generations in The Old North State... you pick a side at an early age, and for the rest of your life your favorite color is either red or blue. Period. End of story.

So whether your glasses are rose-colored or blue-blockers.... if you're a basketball fan in these parts, chances are you have a few "State-Carolina" memories stored away.

Digging deep in the archives, I've "pulled a few tapes" from State-Carolina games "gone by." These are my "Big Four," (in so much that they were the first four highlights that came to mind). What are your favorite plays?

The mere mention of Dudley Bradley's name evokes scowls from Wolfpack fans. State had the ball, and a one-point lead when DB picked Clyde Austin's pocket and "stole" a victory for Carolina. In a move that made him the Bucky Dent to NC State's Red Sox, Bradley leads UNC to a 70-69 win.

February 19, 1983 Sidney Lowe's passTo this day, Sidney Lowe says this was not a showboat play -- he just thought it was the best way to get his teammate the ball! State was pulling away from defending National Champion Carolina when Lowe fired off a no-look (OK, he did glance) between-the-legs pass to Thurl Bailey for a jam! Little did any of us know what that team would do over the next six weeks! Lowe's signature play propelled State to a 70-63 victory.

Ever the showman, Coach V found a way to put himself into the Carolina recordbooks! Moments after a 90-79 loss to Carolina, Jimmy V dribbled his way through the crowd and dropped in a layup for the "last bucket ever scored" at Carmichael Auditorium.

Marvin Williams was a one-year-and-done player, but one-hit wonders can be pretty cool (like Soft Cell, Dexy's Midnight Runners, and 75% of all early 1980's rock bands). Of all of The One's ooh-and-ahh plays, this one brought out the most. Marvin hung in the air long enough to "strike a pose" in a 110-76 Carolina win.

OK, so there's two from State and two from Carolina. Believe me, I know there's plenty more from where these came. I'm not saying they're "The Four," they're just four of many great moments and plays. I thought about adding the game postponed by the Gulf War in 1991, but is that really a highlight??

Hopefully, we have plenty more moments on the way!