So, N.C. State has its new basketball coach. The search took a while and was under a lot of scrutiny, but now it's over. So, what do you think? Here are a few of my thoughts …
Something that has been missing with N.C. State basketball since, well Jim Valvano was there, has been fun. Les Robinson didn't win a lot of games, and certainly, there wasn't a lot of fun. Herb Sendek won some games and went to the NCAA Tournament, but really, it seemed like going to some Pack games under Sendek was like going to the dentist.
New coach Sidney Lowe intends to change that. He wants to win basketball games and have fun doing so. Lowe told his players on Saturday prior to his introductory press conference, that he didn't have a lot of rules. The only thing he asked of his players? Play hard and have fun. When Lowe played at State that's exactly what he did.
I may be wrong, but I think Lowe is going to be a good hire as State's new basketball coach. I don't know if it's the home run that State fans wanted when the search started. (Actually, besides Rick Barnes, who really was?), but I believe it's a hire that can ignite State fans.
I watched Lowe's news conference (if you weren't there, I hope you watched it on the WRAL NewsChannel or WRAL.com) with a lot of interest. I thought Lowe made a good impression. Former teammates were there, and what will be his current team was there.
Lowe talked of playing up-tempo and good defense. He made a point of smiling and nodding at the big guy Cedric Simmons saying that in his system, there would be plenty of touches for the big guy, and he emphasized down low
Lowe's first big recruit could be to convince the big sophomore who has entered his name into the NBA draft, but who hasn't hired an agent, that another year of college would benefit him tremendously. Lowe knows the NBA, and although Simmons has potential, I think most agree he's not ready for the NBA by any means; and another year of college would benefit him greatly.
And speaking of recruiting, I think Lowe will recruit well, and his many years in the NBA will be a selling point. Also, the way he never gave up on earning his degree can be a positive, as well.
Lowe wants to build a family atmosphere for his basketball program. He wants to see players from years past embrace Wolfpack basketball, to be a part of his program. It appears his staff will have some former State players. He's looking to bring pizzazz back to a program that won but without much flair.
Yes, State did win games under Herb Sendek, but there never seemed to be the passion and excitement that there should have been. Sidney Lowe sure remembers as a player, the big pep rally after the stunning '83 ACC Tournament Championship, the celebrations on Hillsborough Street after each amazing victory in that improbable '83 tournament run. And anybody there will never forget that jam-packed electric return to Reynolds Coliseum the day after the upset of Houston to win it all.
Lowe has been a part of Wolfpack glory. You know that as head coach, he wants bring that glory back. He wants State fans to love it again.
Lowe will take over a team that has some talent. If Simmons returns they could be very good. The returning players seemed to like what he had to say. This is a change that could be very good. We'll find out soon enough.
Will there be ups and downs? You bet there will. This is someone who's never been a college coach. He will have a lot to learn, to be sure, on and off the court. The college game is so much different from the NBA. A good staff is essential, and it appears now that his coaching staff will have an N.C. State flavor.
But we do know this: Sidney Lowe is glad to have this chance to coach basketball at the school he led to the 1983 NCAA title. This is a man who knows N.C. State and its tradition, who's coached basketball at the highest level and who I think will add a much needed spark in what's been lately a successful but somewhat dull program. Just a hunch but I think the fun and excitement will be coming back to N.C. State basketball. Who can really predict the future? But hopefully for State fans the journey there will be exciting.
