Sidney Lowe's fourth season at N.C. State will be the first with his players.
The Wolfpack basketball coach expects progress in 2009-10, not a fight for his job. Lowe's boss, State athletic director Lee Fowler, agrees.
"There's no ultimatum that he has to make the [NCAA] tournament to keep his job," Fowler said Thursday. "The main thing is to make progress."
Lowe, who's 51-46 in three seasons, said Thursday he's not treating the upcoming season as a make-or-break one. With his biggest (six players) and best recruiting class (ranked 13th nationally), Lowe expects the program to take a step forward after going 16-14, with a 6-10 ACC record, in 2008-09.
"I think we're going to be better," Lowe said Thursday at his annual summer press conference. "Obviously winning is the most important thing but you have to look for progress. You have to look for development."
Fowler said he hasn't put any kind of time line on Lowe, whose contract runs through the 2012-13 season. Fowler said both sides understand the expectations at a school that has won two national titles and shares a backyard with North Carolina and Duke.
"The expectation is always to win but you have to be realistic," Lowe said. "You also have to have the right people in place and the right pieces. Sometimes time is a factor."
Comments
I GIVE UP
Thu, 06/25/2009 - 16:21 — bluecatHAVE U GUYS GIVEN UP? NO MORE COMMENTS , THATS JUST LIKE YOUR TEAM, BOTTOM FEEDERS!!GO DUKE!!!!!!!!!!
JPG hook us up
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 20:06 — noneyabusinessCan we please get some better features on this blog to allow us to ignore comments from trolls like bluecat? I am tired of skimming over all the worthless comments.
There are several ways to do it. Some sites allow you to just hide all comments from usernames of your choice. Others let you rank comments, and enough negative rankings will just gray it out...
sour grape boys
Tue, 06/23/2009 - 07:53 — bluecatu guys know full well that u look forward to my comments, and would not miss them for anything, your problem is that u cant face reality ncs is a bottom feeder in acc and will always be, i am like obama, i am here to help u, except it and move on , take up cornhole, maybe u can win at that. go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!
Necessary Translation
Tue, 06/23/2009 - 13:27 — Heels20You guys know full well that you look forward to my comments and would not miss them for anything. Your problem is that you can't face reality. NC State is a bottom feeder in the ACC and always will be. I am like Obama. I am here to help you. Accept it and move on. Take up cornhole. Maybe you can win at that.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The last phrase in that rambling, incoherent post is one that will never leave my lips. I just felt it necessary to point out how Dook fans are the reason that Freedom of Speech should be terminated from the constitution.
I know that this has nothing to do with this blog, but I have a few questions that I would like for bluecat to answer:
Between Carolina and Dook, who has won 7 of the last 9? Who has more national titles? Who has more ACC titles? Who has the better head-to-head record? Who has more total wins? That's right, stop talking. Your school can't touch ours in basketball, nor can it in academics if it produced you. If you disagree with either statement, just read your previous post. Enough said...
tarholes20
Tue, 06/23/2009 - 16:18 — bluecatstep up to the plate and tell me , did your beloved coach -ol roy get caught red handed cheating at kansas, lets see if u will answer that one, i bet not. u know duke is no1 on a national level. go duke!!!!!!!
Nice try
Tue, 06/23/2009 - 19:45 — Heels20Nice try, but as gatr said, all Roy did was give graduation presents to his seniors. Even if it's a violation, it's not cheating. The probation came from an assistant football coach giving test answer sheets to his players. My suggestion to you is to learn how to read English, and then learn how to write it. The reason you have absolutely no one defending your posts is because you embarrass your own team. I don't even know if I can call it your team because you're most likely a Walmart fan who lives in his parents' basement and attempts to use an irrelevant argument to put down the Heels. That's my answer for you.
fan of cheater-hole 20
Wed, 06/24/2009 - 08:19 — bluecati spent 2 yrs. at unc, so if i cant read and write , that is why but i am catching up now at duke , i do like walmart, but i perfer sacksof 6th ave.
stepping up to the plate
Tue, 06/23/2009 - 19:04 — gvillegatr"three representatives of the University's athletic interests" provided cash and clothing to graduating players who had exhausted their eligibility ..."
nothing ever happened b/c of this. all the probation stems from other crap. namely the footall program.
in charge
Wed, 06/24/2009 - 08:23 — bluecatwho was in charge of the bb program when thi happened? who was making the big bucks?
Re: in charge
Wed, 06/24/2009 - 13:48 — Heels20So if Dook athletics was put on probation because David Cutcliffe hired a ringer to take the SAT for Desmond Scott, Coach Krzaslkdfj;ewajfo would be at fault?
tarhole 20
Wed, 06/24/2009 - 14:42 — bluecatwe at duke, do not cheat, and we do not make excuses, we stand up like a man,remember we are the smart ones, who gives a da-- about fb, even thou duke will beat unc this yr. guarnteed. its coach k, learn to spell unc guy. go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh really?
Wed, 06/24/2009 - 19:09 — Heels20By not cheating, do you mean like your ex-QB Zach Asack? By not making excuses, are you referring to your fans who said your early departure in the NCAA tourney was because Coach Krzslkjfea focused too much on the olympic team in the off-season? By standing up like a man, do you mean like Greg Paulus did when Danny Green dunked on him? By learning to spell, are you talking about spelling the word "guaranteed" as you did? And I know you Dookies aren't familiar with southern tradition, but football is big south of the Mason-Dixon. We return 9 defensive starters, the majority of our O-line, our starting QB, and both runningbacks. Do you actually believe half the stuff you post?
tarhole20
Thu, 06/25/2009 - 07:05 — bluecatcan u say ol roy, he is a guaranteed rule breaker, now are u happy, see i can spelll, even though i did attend unc for 2 yrs. but i am catching up , now that i am at duke go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Second
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 22:10 — JPDOhioNomally I would defend anyone's right to make a fool out of themselves. Not this time.
Patience is a virtue...
Sun, 06/21/2009 - 20:42 — Heels20...when your next best alternative is Archie Miller. This recruiting class is receiving way too much hype. People make it sound like the best class State has had in 30 years when it's not even as good as the 2005 class (Fells, McCauley and Costner).
If Pack fans should learn one thing, it's that Sidney Lowe is a TERRIBLE coach. Any one who disagrees, take a look back to the 07-08 season. Three 5-stars, a 4-star and a 3-star in your starting lineup, and a 4-12 record in the ACC. And don't make an excuse that the players didn't fit Lowe's system, because his system appeared to be "5 guys who hate each other playing with absolutely no intensity."
I think that Lorenzo Brown, Richard Howell and Ryan Harrow (2010 class) are all good players, but best-case scenario for State is that they push their team into the top half of the ACC. Lowe can't bring the best out of his talent, and I'm honestly disappointed in what he's done with the program. No atmosphere at the games (Sendek is partially responsible), no players that are fun to watch. There's not even much of a false sense of hope any more. Most fans have just given up.
Hopefully State can steal a win from Dook this year since Elliot Williams is their only half decent athlete. Until then, I suggest State fans just pray for a prestigious coach to take the job as a challenge to re-build what was once a good program. Go Heels.
not a chance
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 14:00 — bluecatpack is an eternal bottom feeder!!!!! go duke!!!!!!!!!
We'll see.
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 09:09 — JPDOhioRecruiting class ratings matter as much as a high school student's GPA. Once you get to college, the ratings, like high school grades, are out the window. What you do once you get there is all that counts. Some succeed, some fail.
Regarding the 07-08 season, it was bad enough that Costner and Grant did not live up to their ratings. They also acted like spoiled children miffed by JJ Hickson crashing their party. Grant quit the team in all but name and Costner was in a lethargic funk that lasted two years.
There is little doubt that Sid did not manage the situation well that season. He did a better job of it last year, but was hampered by Costner's attitude, Fells' nagging injuries and erratic point guard play.
To succeed this year, Sid has to fully develop his returning players (some of whom played well in spurts, but need to be more consistent), especially his point guards. He also has to incorporate several of his recruits into the rotation. Everyone in the rotation has to provide high quality minutes, or they sit.
So I'll be patient and let the season play out, giving full support to Sid and his team. I think Sid will succeed. Regardless, in the end, it will be clear who is right.
very well said
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 14:06 — bluecatas they say in the movies patients is certainly a virtue, i think it was leonard nimroy who said that. go duke!!!!!!!!!!
You've lived a sheltered life, bluecat
Fri, 06/19/2009 - 19:01 — bobmacState not revelant in bb ever? Bluecat, you need to enroll in ACC 101. How revelant is the following facts? 1. The Gray Fox brought the fastbreak & big time bb to the South. 2. The Gray Fox introduced nat'l recruiting via 5 Indiana h.s. stars scholarships. 3. At 1 time, Reynolds was the largest on-campus bb arena in America. 4. Some of the greatest ACC bb coaches in history learned the game wearing a Wolfpack uniform. 5. The greatest college player ever to play the college game according to the bb historians was a Wpacker.
To be continued...
20first century
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 06:55 — bluecatboobmac, u need to forget about the past and face NOW, u guys will never be a big time player in the acc, with sidney at the helm. go duke!
Bob, we hear ya
Fri, 06/19/2009 - 21:27 — gvillegatrbut what you are talking about happened soooooo long ago it is dam^ near close to being irrelvant.
Just to give some perspective, Coach Smith was hardly known to anyone outside of NC, if that, until you came to point #5.
become relative again. the ACC needs you guys. UNC and DUIke need you guys. We're bored!!! and if that stings, well, it should.
Don't waste your time, bobmac
Fri, 06/19/2009 - 20:26 — JPDOhioThe guy posts nothing but middle-school level trash talk. Nothing you say to bluecat matters. It will just provide another opportunity to use "bottomfeeder" with some drivel followed by "Go Duke". Yawn.
Bluecat, Continued Education
Fri, 06/19/2009 - 21:48 — bobmac6. The only college team to ever lose only 1 game in back-to-back full seasons was the Wolfpack. 7. The team to dethorne the greatest Nat'l Dynasty in bb history with a Final Game victory where previous challengers had lost for 7 consecutive years was the Wolfpack. 8. The ACC tourney MVP trophy is named after a Wolfpack coach. Still not revelant?
History does repeat itself. We W'packers can be patient. Sidney deserves time. Many coaches would like his Nat'l Recruiting Rank. Rome wasn't built in a day. THE PACK WILL BE BACK SOON!!! Bluecat, get a grip on that truth. The only occurance in ACC sports history that will never be repeated is "Duke in the Rose Bowl". That is the height of fantasy.
I did deliver the truth in "middle school trash talk." I broke it down to your level. I caught the "Yawn." Did you sleep in middle school, too? By the way, good luck in C Hill. Hope you win the bell. Drive to Raleigh in early Dec & see the trophy!
trophey
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 08:58 — bluecattake a ride over to duke and view all of tropheys, u are living in the past, how long has it been since the cow college won anything?? do u just have that one trophey, i wouldnt waste my time to see your one trophey, that u were lucky to win in the first place Go duke!!!!!!!!!!
Pay Attention, bluecat!
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 14:38 — bobmacI am not talking about any trophy won in the past. I am talking about the trophy that Tom O'Brien will win in late Nov. I was referring to the bell that the Devils & the Heels swap. Seems to be the only thing u can win in fb and not very often at that. However, I do like your coach. By the way, the showcase filler is spelled t-r-o-p-h-y not t-r-o-p-h-E-y.
The FUTURE looks bright in Raleigh. We even have the best golfer in Division 1 and he is only a Soph! GO PACK!
By the way, which "one" were you referring to?
boobmac
Tue, 06/23/2009 - 07:44 — bluecatthere u go dreaming again, the flatpack will neverwin in fb either u should be ashamed of yourself, duke will beat the flatpack this year , write it down, and who cares anything about golf, we are talking about a mans game,fbandbb, also u will never spell trophy, while talking about ncs . go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
boobmac---rome
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 07:06 — bluecatthe pack will not bee built in a day either, not untill they get a good coach, they said they were glad they didnt get calapri---sour grapes,--now all he did was get the best recruting class ever at ky, and yes i did sleep thru middle school, but then i graduated magum cum laudmmmm from duke, go duke!!!!!!!!!!
To clarify
Fri, 06/19/2009 - 22:53 — JPDOhiobobmac, I think you may have misunderstood my earlier post, but if you are going respond to bluecat, better keep it at no higher than a 6th grade level.
Thanks for the history reminder too. I agree with you- the Pack will be back! Especially now that the old "ball and change" has moved on to basketball oblivion oversees.
2 peas in a pod
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 07:10 — bluecatjdpoohiooo, brilliant, go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Apologies To JPDOhio
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 02:55 — bobmacThanks for putting me back on track. I agree the history lessons were not the most current happenings. Know what they say - if you want to know where you are going, you have to look at where you have been. We have been there and have gotten the T-shirt (& trophy) twice.
Most importantly, we have a coach who is rooted in Wolfpack passion & tradition & will never be satisfied to just get a bid to the Big Dance. He is building his program with student athletes. Sidney knows Carolina, Duke, & WF is not just another game as does our fb coach. Sidney was not our 1st choice & Calipiri left town as quickly & quietly as he came in. Just lets you know the good Lord looks after those who can't look after themselves. Sid will return us to the Promised Land. Bluecat, vagabound Calipiri will leave Ky with probation & a tainted rep.
promised land
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 08:49 — bluecatboobmac, while u and jpdoooohiooo are having your lovefest, keep in mind the closest u will come to the promised land,is the promises that sid offers the pack nation, after he bottom feeds in the acc again, and again, while calipari will be hauling in the big trophey, but remember u guys didnt want him ,u had rather stay at the bottom. go duke!
I swear
Fri, 06/19/2009 - 21:21 — gvillegatrI think it is jpg playing a cruel joke!! lol.
galligator
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 16:32 — bluecatu need to go to counceling, i am just stating the true facts, here is my phone no. call if i can help BR549!GO DUKE!!!
hhhmmm
Tue, 06/23/2009 - 09:55 — gvillegatri'll go to counseling the next time DUIke wins a national title. tick, tock. tick, tock.
No problem
Tue, 06/23/2009 - 11:33 — JPDOhioSince you will be in a nursing home by the time Duke wins its next National title, finding a counselor should be easy.
Gatr
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 13:07 — jpg (author)It wouldn't surprise me if you were bluecat.
— JPG
lol
Tue, 06/23/2009 - 09:52 — gvillegatrnot even I have the time for such nonsense.
jpg THE AUTHOR
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 16:20 — bluecatu need to find yourself a good badmitten team to follow, because u are never going to have any success following the rat pack, u are going to end up a nervous wreck, beacuse u think the pack can compete in the acc, that is not going to happen, face it and move on, i am just trying to help u, ok. go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No way
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 14:47 — JPDOhioI think its Caulton Tudor. He's finally snapped.
Besides, Gatr would never spell Duke without an "I".
Patience is warranted.
Fri, 06/19/2009 - 10:39 — JPDOhioThe last thing this program needs is another knee-jerk movement to get rid of Sid. Fact is that he can coach and he can recruit.
The class he has coming in is outstanding, although it will probably take a year or two for it to reach its full potential. Several returning players got valuable experience last year and should improve considerably this year.
Because of its youth and short list of experienced veterans, I expect we'll see a team that struggles on occasion. But will be exciting to watch because of its talent, athleticism and potential. That is way different than watching a team struggle with experienced third and fourth year players.
So serious State fans should forget the past couple of years, sit back and enjoy the ride. This is a different team, free of the head-cases that provided "leadership" in the past. Better days are ahead.
Let the scoffing begin.
outstanding class
Fri, 06/19/2009 - 17:26 — gvillegatrwhen you have an outstanding class come in and it is the frst one in some time, it ought to start paying dividends fairly fast. Like the midway point of the regular season. Not to two years down the road. Just my thoughts.
Yes, it should
Fri, 06/19/2009 - 20:21 — JPDOhioAnd I hope it does. But given that there is not a pre-season All-ACC pick among the returning players and you never know how a freshman is going to adapt to the college game (especially in the ACC), I am trying to keep my expectations in check.
However, if the Pack has players returning that showed flashes of excellence last year. If they can deliver at a high level consistently (a big if) and if a handful of the new recruits progress quickly, the Pack could surprise.
There, you made me say what I was trying not to say. Now optimism will reign.
dreamer
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 07:16 — bluecatjdpooohiooo, there u go dreaming again, making excuses, face the facts, pack no good. never will be under sid. go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dreaming
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 09:37 — JPDOhioZZZZZZZZZZZZ
the truth hurts
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 12:12 — bluecatjpd, are u done? u have no answers, i have not said anything that is not true, the rat pack is not going anywhere in acc, and u know it zzzzzzz--goduke!!!!
Yep, I am done
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 12:25 — JPDOhioTo paraphrase Leonard McCoy calling the Klingon a liar:
"Your words are unimportant and I do not hear them".
BTW, the Rat Pack is your beloved Duke, let by the Rat himself when he is not busy promoting his greatness (which is all the time).
how now brown cow college grad
Sun, 06/21/2009 - 15:21 — bluecati believe that was leonard nimroy calling king lear a liar, u are trying to fool me, and u know full well that my words are like a dagger in your heart, thout shall not try to fool me in the future, because u know words are important, because the pack shall not ever win in the acc, excuse me while i go polish all of those duke crowns, go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not so
Sun, 06/21/2009 - 20:37 — JPDOhioNo I wasn't trying to fool you. My quote was valid, but your's might be too (I vaguely remember that episode).
At least it finally got you to write something halfway clever. Didn't think you had it in you.
fooled again---jpdohio!!!
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 13:57 — bluecatthere u go again, any 5th grader would know that i was just messing with u, nimroy was the pointed ear guy on star track series, it was meant to be a joke, but i will accept your quote as to how smart i am, just goes along with that duke education, go duke!!!!!!!!!
Never mind
Mon, 06/22/2009 - 15:34 — JPDOhioYou are right about one thing, I should have known better. For a second, I thought you actually had a brain. My bad. Won't make that mistake again.