Billy Packer was shown up again.

Billy seems to be shown up a lot — especially lately. He did himself and CBS no good when he verbally accosted a Duke student for — Lord forbid — not knowing who he was.

But on Tuesday, he took a slap in the face. A punch in the gut. A kick in the butt.

This time, the NIT showed him up.

You see, Packer is not a fan of the National Invitational Tournament. He has made remarks that it shouldn’t be played. Basically, that it is a tournament for losers.

Packer wasn’t in Raleigh when N.C. State advanced to the quarterfinals with a pulsating 60-57 win over Arizona State.

That’s right, Billy. Pulsating. In the NIT, for cryin’ out loud.

Fifteen thousand people made a lot of noise in the Entertainment and Sports Arena. It wasn’t just another game.

And when Packer’s name was brought up to the Wolfpack players afterward, well, let’s just say it’s a good bet Packer will never be invited to a team meal for a pep talk.

When freshman Damien Wilkins was informed that Packer isn’t a fan of the NIT, he frowned. He had heard this before.

“To be honest with you, I could care less what Billy Packer thinks,” said the diaper dandy. “He says a lot of things that people don’t agree with. Who’s to say he’s right?”

Damon Thornton gave the look opposing centers get when he’s ready to elbow them out of the paint.

“We don’t pay any attention to that.”

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How could the Pack pay attention to Packer? Those fans were loud. This game meant something because N.C. State is their team. That’s all that matters — getting to see their team play at least one more time.

It’s something Packer can’t seem to fathom, mainly because he never calls NIT games.

Once, just once, I’d like for a committee to decide the announcers for the tournament. They would go by strength of mouth, number of games without a gaffe and popularity.

Going by that criteria, Packer, the human tranquilizer, may not make the field. He’d be relegated to NIT work.

Of course, he’d decline.

Herb Sendek could tell Packer what the NIT means. He’s been there four straight seasons. But with a win tonight at the ESA, the N.C. State coach could be taking his team to the NIT Final Four in New York City.

Sendek is even expecting a sellout tonight.

“It means a lot to our young men,” he continued. “The NIT is steeped in tradition. Some great players have graced the field over the years. It’s a lot of fun with wonderful enthusiasm.”

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Wonderful enthusiasm always engulfs Tobacco Road this time of year.

When March Madness began, this state wasn’t being mentioned prominently.

In fact, CBS enlisted the help of John Cougar Mellencamp, who wrote a song about the love of hoops in his native Indiana. At that time, you couldn’t argue. Six Hoosier teams were in the postseason.

Now, deep into March, Purdue in the NCAA tourney and Notre Dame in the NIT are all that’s left.

North Carolina? All four ACCteams are still alive.

The Tar Heels, Blue Devils and Wake Forest play Friday.

And the N.C. State players are proud to be a part of that Tobacco Road foursome.

“We’re proving a lot of people wrong,” Thornton said. “We’re in one of the toughest conferences in the country.”

That brought a smile to Wilkins’ face.

“A lot of teams aren’t playing right now,” he said. “But all four of us are. I hope Wake wins. And I’m rooting for North Carolina. I hope Duke wins.

“And I hope they’re behind us.”

Sendek knows they are.

“I’m glad the ACCteams are advancing,” he said. “There’s a sense of fraternity. You want your conference to do well.”

“It says a lot about the ACC,” Wilkins added. “It shows we deserved more teams in the NCAA.Virginia should’ve made it in.”

But considering the Wolfpack didn’t, Wilkins and his teammates had to re-focus on the NIT.

Maybe Packer just can’t understand that kids love to play the game and fans love to watch it — regardless of the letters.

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