N.C. State's 1974 team honored tonight

North Carolina State University

N.C. State's 1974 team honored tonight

By Ty Johnson

Dec 22, 2008

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They brought N.C. State its first national championship some 34 years ago, but after 1983 the 1974 championship team has often found itself living in the shadow of Jim Valvano's Cardiac Pack, a team that squeaked into the NCAA Tournament and shocked the nation with a last-second dunk to beat Houston in the finals.

But Valvano's point guard is doing everything he can to get the '74 team the recognition he feels it's deserved ever since David Thompson and Monte Towe led the Wolfpack over UCLA and Marquette to bring the title to Raleigh for the first time.

Wolfpack coach Sidney Lowe, the point guard on Valvano's team of overachievers, has arranged for the 1974 team to be honored at halftime of the Pack's tilt with Marquette, a rematch of the '74 championship game, and hosted several members of the team at Raleigh’s Downtown Sheraton Sunday night to exchange stories and memories of the team's historic run.

"I'm a firm believer in taking care of the former players here and the Wolfpack family," Lowe said. "We certainly wanted to acknowledge them."

Lowe said the gesture was his way to let the players know how he felt about their team, and what the championship run meant to the basketball program.

"I wanted them to know what I think about them," Lowe said. "And how I appreciate what they've done for this university."

The Wolfpack ended UCLA's run of seven consecutive titles by beating the Bruins 80-77 in double overtime in the NCAA semifinals before defeating Marquette 76-64 to take the program's first title.

And while the team was dominant during the 1973-74 season, the Pack's title run overshadows an even more amazing achievement since the team compiled a 27-0 record during its 1972-73 campaign, going undefeated but being barred from post-season play by NCAA sanctions related to the recruiting of Thompson.

And while the championship team's core was a factor in the team's undefeated season as State put together a 57-1 record from 1972 until the team won the title, Lowe still acknowledged that the '83 team that he led would likely have come out on top if the teams competed head-to-head.

"We probably would have beaten them by two on a last second shot," Lowe said with a laugh.

Most Recent Comments

RE: N.C. State's 1974 team honored tonight

plywood

RE: N.C. State's 1974 team honored tonight

TBK, I don't think we'll finish last in conference this season (Virginia will likely be holding that "accomplishment") but I do see us finishing in the bottom 3rd.. If we get 5+ ACC wins this season I'll be content seeing as what happened last year.

RE: N.C. State's 1974 team honored tonight

Truth be told NC State just doesn't have the talent to compete in the ACC right now.

We may, actually. We'll struggle with the likes of Duke, Wake, and Carolina. But the rest I think we have a shot at being competitive against. Jay Bilas seems to think we have a shot, depending on our guard play.

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/999thefan/story/4186661

RE: N.C. State's 1974 team honored tonight

we are 7-1 this season and exceeding expectations with our cast of players. Truth be told NC State just doesn't have the talent to compete in the ACC right now. That talent is on the way, and if we land John Wall and/or Derick Favors then we'll be putting UNC and Duke on alert. Remember this post next season if we land either of those guys.

RE: N.C. State's 1974 team honored tonight

Furthermore, when Lowe has a serviceable point guard (a semi-healthy Atsur) most of you were claiming that he was a top notch coach.

Who ever said THAT?!??

At that point, no one knew if Lowe was good or bad (it was too soon to tell). What we DID know is that we went cheap and hired a coach with no college coaching experience. We knew Sid would be getting on-the-job training. We may have been happy with the results at that point, but I don't think any of us thought Sid was a "top notch coach" at that point. I don't think any of us thought he wasn't, either.

He still may turn out ok for us. Only time will tell.

WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina State University