For the first time in six games, N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe expects to have a full, healthy lineup for Sunday's game at Wake Forest.
The Wolfpack (12-11, 2-7 ACC) hasn't had a complete lineup since Duke's visit to the RBC Center on Jan. 19. Since then, freshman forward C.J. Leslie has been sick, then suspended for one game, and freshman guard Ryan Harrow has been sick.
Leslie was sick for the Miami and Clemson games and then missed last Saturday's loss at Duke with the suspension. Harrow did not play against UNC or Virginia Tech and was a step slow at Duke recovering from a viral illness. The Wolfpack has gone 1-4 during that stretch.
Lowe hopes the return of Leslie and improved health of Harrow will spark a run by his flailing team.
"There's still some time, we just have to make it happen now," Lowe said Friday.
State enters the most manageable stretch of its league schedule starting with Sunday's trip to Wake (1-8). The Pack has three of four at home after the Wake game and then a trip to Virginia (3-6).
State's flickering NCAA hopes depend on getting to seven wins, like Georgia Tech did last year, and then winning at least two games in the ACC tournament.
Comments
If Sidney leaves...
Sun, 02/13/2011 - 02:02 — hat_in_handthere will be transfer slips hitting DYs desk. and ...None of the star recruits will come play for an upandcoming midmajor. Now, this may not be a bad thing if the recruits that are coming are like CJL......may be a good thing to help him pack and move to Kentucky.
College basketball is a guards game. Sidney knows this. He can work with Harrow and Lo to really make something with this team. In all fairness, Sidney has never had a guard tandem to work with. Heck, he even had to put Hodge at the point at one time. Give him one more year. It will turn.
points well taken
Sun, 02/13/2011 - 12:41 — JPDOhioEspecially the guard comment. The problem is that this year has been so much like every other year in Sid's tenure that any excuse, even legit ones (Tracy's injury, missed games due to sickness, tough ACC schedule) are received with skepticism. Unfortunately, nothing short of a miracle finish will matter at this point. That may or may not be fair, but I think it is the reality.
Regarding the transfer slips, you could very well be right. To me, that would be the ultimate confirmation that the players care only about themselves individually and could not care less about Sid or the program. There is only one way for Sid's job to be saved. That is for the players to come out each remaining game and leave everything they have out on the court. And I mean, every player and every ounce of energy. In a nutshell, that has been the team's problem all year.
If they were to dedicate themselves to total focus and commitment, they can finish very strong. They have had moments this year when they have done that and we have seen the potential this team really has. If they don't, the inevitable will happen and the opportunity for the players to experience something special will have passed. And, if they think they can transfer somewhere and it will be better, they should think again. That lack of focus and intensity will go with them and manifest itself in a different location. The players have to accept their share of the responsibility too.
one more year
Sun, 02/13/2011 - 12:32 — SurferIF Sid gets one more year, I don't know if that would be enough time. I don't know who he has coming in next year, but beyond that, what big time recruits would want to come with Sid already having one foot on the gang plank. Seems like he would need a vote of confidence from Yow, with the idea that he will have the time he needs to turn things around. He will need several good recruiting classes in a row to do that.
don't agree
Sun, 02/13/2011 - 12:46 — JPDOhioThe pieces are in place now. The question is whether Sid is capable of developing the talent that he has.
Tracy and Javi will be gone, but there are players on the roster now that will step in. CJL may or may not be gone. I am ambivalent where he is concerned.
The foundation is in place for a good team. The question is leadership on and off the court.
Point taken
Mon, 02/14/2011 - 12:51 — SurferBut if Sid had more talent in place, the pack's success wouldn't be as dependent on Sid developing it.
Dude
Sun, 02/13/2011 - 09:19 — YAR8packWhat "Hodge" are you referring to? Because if it's Julius "When we's hongree, we eat" Hodge, I think you need to reassess what you just said considering Julius had graduated and gone by the time Sid came to Raleigh.
not hodge
Sun, 02/13/2011 - 11:22 — JPDOhioI think he may be thinking about Gavin Grant, not Julius Hodge.
Before we start
Sat, 02/12/2011 - 15:00 — mad_maxBefore we start congratulating Wake Forest tomorrow for winning, let's remember that State has the uncanny ability to lose any and every game they play in. Beating them says absolutely nothing about your team.
Good mid level coach
Sat, 02/12/2011 - 11:09 — johngSounds to me that you want another Herb Sendak. Is that what you're saying?
realistically
Sat, 02/12/2011 - 12:30 — JPDOhioYes, but hopefully one who speaks English, not techno-babble.
Hey if Clemson can do it why
Sat, 02/12/2011 - 13:39 — unc098Hey if Clemson can do it why not State which has a much richer basketball tradition. There is an abundance of talent out there. As I stated in another post awhile back; ditto your remark about someone who could be competitive but will be peaking about the time UNC and Duke switch to a new era of coaches. Sid should be retained ( if he wants to ) in an another capacity.
the ONLY way NCSU makes the
Sat, 02/12/2011 - 02:38 — russwufthe ONLY way NCSU makes the Tourney this year is to win the ACC title which goes to the Tourney winner and thus the auto bid to the NCAA. That is the ONLY way...our OOC losses are telling ...we have beaten NO one of quality..... sadly as well unless we go to the ACC title game the NIT would likely be out as well. Dismal performance by a coaching staff with such talent and NO excuses left to push.
sid
Sat, 02/12/2011 - 01:43 — saltydawg1everyone that i know, wanted him gone LAST year!!!
? return for next year??
Fri, 02/11/2011 - 18:47 — cather02This talk about Sidney Lowe returning for the 2011-2012 season so the players and recruits will not leave is kind of crazy. Coach Lowe has had five years to build this program and while he has been able to bring some talent to the program it has not shown up in victories or even bids to the ncaa's. This constant talk about the team still has time and games to make a run to the ncaa's is tragic. A solid, steady experience college coach should have his team peaking at this time of year, especially year five with no excuses and i think coach lowes knows this because why has he not been at the local high school games? He knows his time and career coaching at state is short and only is going to the next eight games. I respect and love him as our ncaa pt guard in 1983 but his hire was obviously a mistake and these past five years have shown that. Another year would prolong the despair and divide the fan base even more. My concern now is will this team win another game at all this year?? I seriously doubt it will.
Oh,
Fri, 02/11/2011 - 18:11 — willncsu34and there is no way we make the tournament. I dont think 8-8 and making the ACC title game would even do it. We do not have a single decent win. We will win on Sunday though. Wake is waaaaaaay worse than us.
I actually switched my pick
Fri, 02/11/2011 - 23:12 — unc098I actually switched my pick to Wake this week because they are finally showing some signs of life. The game is in Winston. State may have all its roster back but they are in a tailspin. I say Wake wins it. NO slam on State, it just the circumstances at hand. As I have said: State needs a mid major up and coming coach who will be around for 10-15 years who will build a steady solid program. Sid is not your man as much as all of us ( yes even Tar Heels ) love the guy. State will not attract a major coach to the program.
New Coach
Sat, 02/12/2011 - 08:58 — YAR8packI like the HC at Saint Mary's and the assistant coach at Kansas, Joe Dooley.
Man I pray that State doesn't lose to woeful Wake. Seth Davis' punk @$$ and Dave Parrish's idiotic self would have a field day with that.
Good choices for HC.... Its
Sat, 02/12/2011 - 10:07 — unc098Good choices for HC....
Its fifty fifty on Wake/ State....really depends on whether or not the guys in red are motivated. Can they reset and bring a renewed sense of pride and purpose or do they do the JPD thing ( what do you call it JD?) stand around on D. The sad thing is that State has the talent to be top 4 in the league. I still think they are capable of putting a hurt on about anyone in the league if they play as a team. Gets us back to the discussion about Sid I guess.
Not even
Sat, 02/12/2011 - 15:34 — Shoreman67expecting a win today, just looking for a good effort. Quote from Vince Lombardi, "Winning is not everything, but making the effort to win is". A well played game with effort on the defensive end and no offensive droughts would be a nice thing to see at this point of a dismal season.
question
Sat, 02/12/2011 - 15:53 — JPDOhioIs that the true quote? I always remember it as "Winning is not everything, but it is the only thing". So, is my memory failing me (again) or has the original quote been revised to be PC?
By the way, agree completely with what you are looking for against Wake. If we can get consistent effort, the results will take care of themselves.
Your memory is intact;
Sun, 02/13/2011 - 10:04 — Shoreman67I believe both quotes can be attributed to Lombardi; guess he may have used the "effort" quote to fit a particular motivational situation.
BTW, Had dinner with my son (NCSU 86') last night. He has always been a very positive State supporter; this season is even wearing him down. He's hoping Lowe will resign; doesn't want to see a former BB "hero" fired; thinks it will reflect negatively on the Univ.
Take care.
CHOICES
Sat, 02/12/2011 - 15:54 — JPDOhioSome guy from CBS Sportsline suggested the head coach at Wichita State as another candidate. He made some excellent points about why it was unlikely that Sid would be able to survive after the year is over and why an elite coach is unlikely to come to State no matter how much money was thrown at him.
It pretty much revolves around the #3 status that State has in the Triangle, a status that is not likely to change as long as K and Roy stick around. If you accept that reality, the best approach is to find a young, dynamic, well organized and disciplined coach with a short, but proven track record in the college ranks. Those guys are out there with the mid-majors throughout the country. The right choice will grow with the program and would be well entrenched when Duke and UNC eventually transition to new head coaches.
If the AD can manage the transition properly, the new coach should be able to get most if not all of the current roster to stay. I honestly believe Sid would agree help in this process, similar to how Fowler stayed on after he was dismissed. Successfully pulling this off would allow the program to get to a competitive level in the ACC without having to start all over again. It won't be easy, but it is not unprecendented, especially if everyone keeps the well being of the kids and the program itself front and center.
Oh, that defense you were asking about is the "Pylon Defense". Hopefully, State took the opportunity of this 8 day layoff to abandon it.
Sidney Stay
Fri, 02/11/2011 - 17:49 — hat_in_handI think alot of the wolfpack nation would be good if Sidney stayed and brought in a new fresh asst coach. Keep Larry Harris or maybe Pete Strickland. When I say alot of the wolfpack nation, I know I am not including most of you on the boards. But there are alot of people out there that feel NCSU should give SL another year. They also believe that if he is sent out, there will be transfers and the recruits are going to go as well.
I do have one question though..... I hear about Roy and K being seen in the gyms watching the HS games....but I hear very little about SL checking in on them. Is it because he does not do alot of that or is it that he is just not noticed or not sexy enough to report ?
i wish
Sat, 02/12/2011 - 00:49 — JPDOhioIn a perfect world, Sid would be wildly successful and his love of NC State and concern for his players would be richly rewarded. Sadly, there is no evidence that another year will lead to anything different than what we have experienced for the last 4 1/2 years. Speaking for myself, I like the way Sid presents himself as a person and believe he is a genuinely good person. Based on postings on this site (I don't bother with any others), I don't think I am alone in that assessment. But the results on the court don't lie.
It's not just the losses, it's how those losses come about. Yes, the team is young. Yes, there has been Tracy's unfortunate injury and several players have been sick. And, yes, every team has its ups and downs, especially in the days of parity across the country. Yet, this team has shown that it can be very good for stretches, and has done so against some very good teams. But they crash a lot and when they crash, it is spectacular. This late in the season they still seem to be in disarray, which is not only frustrating but puzzling.
We'll see what happens at the end of the year. I would hope that if the decision is made for Sid to go, it is handled with class. Sid deserves that just as a matter of fairness, but it also sends the right message to coaching candidates and to current players and propective recruits. If that happens and State hires the right coach (young, but with a proven track record at a successful mid-major), State has a chance to build on the foundation of good talent Sid has brought to Raleigh. I believe the pieces are in place to field an excellent team, the one that so many of us expected at the start of the season. There is no need to start from scratch. But State has to get this next hire right.
I dont know anyone
Fri, 02/11/2011 - 18:08 — willncsu34who thinks he should/will stay. Not sure who you are talking to. 5 years is more than enough time to see if a coach will be successful or not. I believe UNC gave gutheridge and doherty only 3 years. The recruits and current players will not transfer if we bring in someone good.
State isn't going to any
Fri, 02/11/2011 - 16:00 — NesnahState isn't going to any tournaments this year beyond a 1 and done in the ACC. Lowe will be shown the door at season's end, and, please God, DY will make a good hire to replace him.
NCSU/DY won't do anything this year........
Fri, 02/11/2011 - 17:11 — JustonevoteHansen, I hope you are right .....but I don't think DY/NCSU will cut ties with SL so easily - It'll be the "well he just got his first recruiting class in place and we need to give him more time" logic I bet ya!
I think we've seen enough to know Sid is a recruiter but not a coach.
I personally don't believe that Sid is fostering a team attitude with these players -wouldn't be surprised to hear or see dissent from them and possibly transfer requests.
Hey but whatdoiknow..........
could happen
Fri, 02/11/2011 - 15:42 — SurferHonestly, just a question. Can the Pack make the NCAA Tourney with a 7-9 ACC record and 2 wins in the ACC Tournament? I'm pretty sure that is how I read it. My initial thinking was that it would take a 9-7 or 10-6 ACC record and then a win or two in the ACC tourney to get in. IIRC, GT was in the ACC championship game last year and had won 3 games up to that point. Otherwise, State would have to be in the top four to only have to win 2 games to get into the ACC championship game. So I guess it comes down to, will a 7-9 record equal a top 4 finish?
idle speculation
Fri, 02/11/2011 - 16:20 — JPDOhioI don't think there is any scenario that gets the Pack to the NCAA tournament except for winning the ACC tourney, which is not impossible but not likely. I'm not sure many Pack fans are expecting a win at Wake, let alone a winning streak to finish the season.
Mainly, I want to see who on the team shows up and who "packs" it in. Because I cannot envision a scenario in which Sid keeps his job after the season is over, there may be an urge for players to either give up or just pull a "Leslie" and go solo. We'll learn a lot about individual players on this team as the season winds down.
PAINTER
Fri, 02/11/2011 - 15:38 — JPDOhioI thought I heard today that Deshawn Painter was sick and held out of practice yesterday. Any word on his availability?
On a separate note, JP, I seem to recall taking you to task before the season when you suggested the Pack would struggle in the ACC because of the strength of their conference schedule. You are entitled to an "I told ya so" on that one, although I don't think anyone expected it to be as bad as it has turned out.
I'd be remiss not to note that your undefeated Duke prediction didn't come through, but you deserve a pass on that one due to Irving's injury. Might have happened otherwise.