Hope for a big basketball season probably is all but gone at N.C. State after Tuesday's collapse at Clemson.
But with a game at North Carolina on Saturday and a few weeks left for improvement, here are three options coach Sidney Lowe should consider:
1. More inside-out looks for Scott Wood.
If the 6-6 sophomore wingman is the team's only real 3-point shooting option, which seems to be the case, he needs to spot up more often on jumpers.
Wood perfectly meets the definition of a streak shooter, and most streakers simply don't shoot as accurately when working off moving screens as when they establish perimeter position and then shoot off kick-out passes from double-teamed post men.
2. Constrict the rotation.
Lowe used nine players for at least eight minutes each in the 60-50 loss at Clemson.
That's good for building depth and keeping fresh legs.
But it's not particularly good for on-court chemistry, and especially when freshman C.J. Leslie is such an on-ball defensive liability.
With only 10 regular-season games left, Lowe should give thought to settling on his best seven and see whether that group can mesh.
3. Rev the tempo.
The Pack should be a productive half-court offensive team, but it just isn't -- possibly because Tracy Smith missed most of the non-league schedule.
But again, it's getting late, and Lowe needs to capitalize more on the team's quickness, even if that means risking a few 2-on-3 and 3-on-4 situations in transition.
The half-court sets aren't producing enough points to shun other offensive tactics.
Columnist
Comments
They just need to shoot the
Thu, 01/27/2011 - 01:23 — GoHeels1984They just need to shoot the wolf and put it out of its misery. They just have not been anything to speak of since a very lucky ncaa championship way back 30 years ago in 1983. Poor pups! Step up, fire your coach, pony up for a good one, and maybe you might be something that others who are not wuf pup fans will watch.
Give him a chance
Wed, 01/26/2011 - 20:16 — realwufCJ Leslie deserves a chance to continue to develop and try to contribute to the team. In reality he should transfer to a school that has a coach who knows how to coach someone talented enough to become a Mcdonald's All American. Coach K gets these type of players year after year. They would rather go to Duke knowing that they might ride the bench, but they know they are going to develop and become a better player because of solid coaching.
Everyone is beating up on CJ now. When he's gone you will beat up on Brown, then Harrow, and every other talented player who comes to State with the hopes of getting good coaching and contributing. I hope all the other young guys in high school are paying close attention to the trend.
Sure Sidney Lowe was a good point guard on the national championship team......but Jim Valvano was the Coach!
Tudor: Coach Lowe
Wed, 01/26/2011 - 17:26 — belwoodSo I guess all these critics, and Mr Tudor, will be sending in their resume' to NCS guaranteeing that they: know more than Coach Lowe; will guarantee a sweet 16; are fantastic recruiters and will out-recruit Duke and UNC; can take the heat from people with 20/20 hindsight.
Or am I mistaken?
I am guessing there are a
Wed, 01/26/2011 - 19:07 — woodstockI am guessing there are a lot of folks here who could just as effectively blow a 19 point lead. Isn't it about time to face the facts and recognize this is it? This is the new normal at State with Lowe at the helm. Sure, Lowe knew how to win as a player, but as a coach...not so much. It is year 6 and each year it's the same story; high hopes meets reality... and reality ain't lookin' too good.
The Whistle
Wed, 01/26/2011 - 16:12 — gamilicadI played golf for State, in the early 70s'. And, if coach Sykes whistled, while I was playing/swinging, to bark instructions; how in the wolfpack nation could I concentrate on what I was trying to accomplish.
Same with basketball. Lowe needs to sit down and stop embarrasing our team/himself/State and rely on the instincts our players learned/rely/studied honing their skills.
Let the players play basketball, not Lowe (low intended) ball.
State Basketball
Wed, 01/26/2011 - 15:37 — coachcalvin52There is a kid by the name of Kevin Holmes who would also help the team one of the best shooter I have seen in long time even the Chancellor ask him when was he returning to the floor and I heard him say he did not know..
State Basketball
Wed, 01/26/2011 - 15:25 — SweetsieThere is a fourth thing. They may want to start looking for a new coach. I am a UNC fan but the days of Everett Case, Stormin Norman Sloan and Valvano made things a lot more interesting. Sidney was a good point guard but he ain't getting it done as a coach.
1. Scott Wood actually tends
Wed, 01/26/2011 - 13:26 — JamesinWillowSprings1. Scott Wood actually tends to shoot better falling away from the basket. His two threes last night were catch-and-shoot fadeaways off a screen.
2. Agree
3. Offense is not this team's problem most nights. We scored 50 in a half against arguably the best defensive team in the conference and 31 in 14 minutes against Clemson.
The vast majority of this team's issues are defensive. Lapses mentally where folks like CJ Leslie wander aimlessly around the basket hoping to make a big block while his man spots up on the arc. If you want to see some uptempo basketball, generate some breakaway baskets off of ball pressure on the guards. We did that some last night, but not nearly enough.
Bottom line, any and all struggles this team have point to the coaching staff's inability to teach them properly and put them in a position to succeed. Only compounding the matter are the baffling substitution patterns and reluctance to put players like CJL in his place when his poor play stifles the team at both ends.
AGREE TOTALLY
Wed, 01/26/2011 - 13:54 — JPDOhioSo who would your seven be, James? Mine would be the starting five from the last two games, plus Brown and Painter. Obviously, Smith and Howell would get the majority of the minutes in the frontcourt, with Painter giving them a rest when needed. Williams could move to the 3 when Wood needed a blow. Brown can run point when Harrow is out.
Leslie and Gonzalez hurt as much as help, so they only see garbage time, if such a thing exists for the Pack in conference play.
As much freakish talent as
Wed, 01/26/2011 - 14:30 — JamesinWillowSpringsAs much freakish talent as Leslie has, I still think--to borrow a line from Top Gun--you "keep sending him up there," i.e. give him minutes in a reserve role with a short leash.
For some reason, Painter doesn't pass the eyeball test for me, but perhaps I haven't seen enough in league play to have enough "data" to judge him fairly.
I would stick with the starting five from the last two games, like y'all said, bring Brown in as the 6th man, then spell the tandem of Tracy and Howell with the tandem of Painter and Leslie. Keep those together on the floor as much as possible.
POINT TAKEN
Wed, 01/26/2011 - 14:55 — JPDOhioI hear what you are saying and understand. I can't help thinking that Leslie is just another JJ Hickson who will just refuse to get it. Even today, JJ is a source of frustration for Byron Scott with the Cavs, as a lack of effort and inconsistent results hinder the enormous potential waiting to be unleashed.
I defaulted to Painter because someone has to spell Smith and Howell. At least Painter is likely to be around for two more years and the heir apparent to Tracy's spot. Maybe it is too soon to give up on Leslie, but I am not optimistic that CJ has it in him to take a long look in the mirror and change his ways. That short leash would need to be real short.
Bill !?
Wed, 01/26/2011 - 22:01 — gvillegatrWho do you bill for all this time you spend here at ACCNow during tax season !? ;0)
It's the calm before the storm
Thu, 01/27/2011 - 00:47 — JPDOhioJanuary is my slowest month. Which is a good thing, especially today. Worst is March 15 through April 15, our own sadistic form of March Madness. I am touched, gatr, by your heartfelt concern for my financial well being. :-)
I'd agree with that group,
Wed, 01/26/2011 - 14:08 — ProwlingWoofieI'd agree with that group, JPD. As much potential as Leslie has, he either doesn't receive or won't take the direction needed to consistently contribute at this level.
5. A coach that knows how to
Wed, 01/26/2011 - 13:12 — woodstock5. A coach that knows how to win games ...yes, yes, I know Lowe could win as a player, but that was because he had a coach that knew how to win.
4. Cyanide pills...
Wed, 01/26/2011 - 12:54 — ProwlingWoofie4. Cyanide pills...
cyanide pills
Wed, 01/26/2011 - 14:56 — JPDOhioMy wife had them hidden last night. Otherwise, we wouldn't be having this conversation.