This is an open love letter to the N.C. State basketball team and Coach Gottfried:

I love you. I don’t always profess my love for 15 men at once, but when I do, it’s on a public forum.  Let me start out by explaining my feelings from the past few years.

When I came to N.C. State in 2009, basketball here was in a real slump. I would pessimistically watch games. “We won’t win this one,” I would say. Of course I wanted us to win, but I hope you understand when I say my spirit was a little low. I was tired of watching a talented team get beaten by UNC and Duke over and over again. I knew we were good; we beat Duke the year they won the national championship, but we were inconsistent without good leadership. Watching the basketball game was like being on a bad date: the first half went really well, but ended with me being blue after getting beat by Duke and UNC.

Then came the exciting news that C.J. Leslie, Lorenzo Brown and Ryan Harrow were bringing their talent to N.C. State in the coming season. I was giddy as a schoolgirl… until basketball season started. Again, the immense talent was apparent, but the leadership just wasn’t there. Fingers were pointed, and then there was a coup that resulted in the sacking of Sidney Lowe. I didn’t know what to expect. It was like a break up — I felt guilty, but I wanted to see new people. Shortly after, Debbie Yow made what turned out to be the best decision anyone has ever made, ever.

I’ll be honest, I had never heard of the ‘Gottfather’ prior to his arrival at State, but I was ready for change. I gladly welcomed him, excited to see what he could do. He was hope personified. A bronzed god surrounded by golden light with his hands confidently placed on his hips. He kicked down the doors to the program in a fit of pure manliness, and immediately began rebuilding the foundation of a fallen titan’s house. I lusted after the coming basketball season, even with Harrow’s departure.

You didn’t disappoint, gentlemen. It’s been a hell of a trip, and now you’ve fought your way to the Sweet 16. Some of my most memorable moments of the semester were made in RBC Stadium, passionately shouting in a sweaty sea of red.

“I love you” doesn’t cut it. I want to say things like, “Watching you play works better than popping Viagra,” or, “If N.C. State basketball was a food, it’d be Nutella,” and other things Technician won’t let me publish.

I want you all to know that I’ll be supporting you while you’re playing in St. Louis Friday. I’ve been wearing my lucky game day Snuggie for all of the tournament games, and I refuse to wash it until you win it all. I am tremendously proud of the entire team, and so is the rest of Wolfpack Nation. Thank you for giving us reason to say