In 1983, almost no one thought that NC State could beat Houston. Hakeem Olajuwon was a junior and obviously gifted but he was not yet what he would ultimately become. Houston also had Clyde Drexler though, and several other guys who were just tremendous.
And State?
The Pack just didn’t measure up, at least on paper. But State did have some advantages.
First, their guards, Dereck Whittenburg and Sidney Lowe, played four years together at DeMatha and four at State. Who gets eight years together before they’re 23?
And second, State had had some tough luck during the season.