When NC State made its return to the NCAA tournament in 2002, I didn't know what to do with myself. It was my freshman year, and it was the first time they'd made the NCAAs since I was in elementary school. I remember that I was so uptight that I did not watch a second of that first-round game. I still regret it, because it was a satisfying win over Michigan State. Did I learn from that? Nope.

Following that victory, there was a multi-year string of horrors that helped convince me why I shouldn't watch. I remember clearly when Scooter hit that triple to give State the lead on Cal only to have a Cal guard give the Bears the win with a three of his own.There was Matt Frieje. Plus Caron Butler something something. Generally I'm still inclined to avoid whatever I can, but that's just the clearest sign that it's death season. This could be the end. I really don't want this to be the end.