Lack of consistent play still an issue for N.C. State

North Carolina State University

Lack of consistent play still an issue for N.C. State

N.C. State head basketball coach Sidney Lowe reacts to a play during the Wolfpack's contest against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

By Dane Huffman

Jan 26, 2009

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Raleigh, N.C. — N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe is looking for consistency on his team as it hurtles through the ACC season looking for a victory.

The Wolfpack played well – at times – in Saturday’s loss at Boston College. State is at home Tuesday night against Miami.

Injuries and erratic play have made it difficult for State to come up with victories. The Wolfpack is now 10-7 overall and 1-4 in ACC games.

Lowe said he’s looking for a consistent rotation of seven or eight players he can depend on.

One option he will continue to explore is having Tracy Smith on the court with Brandon Costner and Ben McCauley. That puts Costner at small forward and Courtney Fells at shooting guard, but Lowe said he is comfortable with that lineup.

“It gives us, hopefully, a little more rebounding power. More physical play inside is what we’ve been seeing in our conference,” Lowe said Monday. “Teams have been very physical on those boards.

“With Ben and Tracy, it gives us two guys on either block who can score the ball down there. That’s where they do their best damage.”

Smith played 24 minutes off the bench in the 79-68 loss at Boston College.

The liability with the bigger lineup is that State gives up some speed.

“So maybe from a quickness standpoint, getting out on the wings and running, we won’t be as good, but the pros hopefully outweigh the cons, where we have that board power,” he said.

Lowe wouldn’t say if he would start the bigger lineup against Miami Tuesday at the RBC Center.

The lack of productivity across the lineup was evident Saturday. C.J. Williams started at shooting guard but was 0-for-2 in 11 minutes. Trevor Ferguson continues to be bothered by a pad on his injured hand and was also 0-for-2 from the field.

Julius Mays (three points, three fouls), Johnny Thomas (five points) and Dennis Horner (0-for-4 from the field) had little impact off the bench.

Most Recent Comments

RE: Lack of consistent play still an issue for N.C. State

are u crazy?chris couldn't play without tom or rodney?have u ever watch ice make other guards back off cause they knew he would leave them looking like fools.since state can't or never get good guards,look at the bench towne or sidney ring a bell

RE: Lack of consistent play still an issue for N.C. State

Lowe can just sit Fells, that kid is a train wreck on the court.

RE: Lack of consistent play still an issue for N.C. State

The problem is McCauley, Costner and Fells. They could be great talents but they have atttitude problems, I think. They get mad if they have to go to the bench or if they don't get their way. That's what happened last year, with the great J.J. Hickson. NCSU could have had a great team last year. Until these guys change their attitudes or leave, the pack will have trouble. It's Sidney Lowe's team...not Costner, McCauley and Fells. I hope they come around before it's too late because I like them, but I don't like their attitudes.

RE: Lack of consistent play still an issue for N.C. State

you are an ideit

RE: Lack of consistent play still an issue for N.C. State

Sidney's problem is his best offensive player (Costner) is his worst defensive player and one of his worst passers. When Brandon's not on his offensive game, his defense grows worse and he often makes sloppy passes, leading to turnovers at crucial times. He also makes 1-on-1 offensive moves at crucial junctures that rarely hit the mark and has he ever gotten an offensive rebound at 6-9? The bench, let's face it, is weak. That said, the point-guard criticism is unfair. As a long-time ACC observer, I can remember few freshmen guards who tore up the league (Skip Wise, Phil Ford, Brad Davis) and players of that caliber rarely come to NCSU. Chris Corchiani wouldn't have been as good as he was if he didn't have offensive machines Rodney Monroe and Tom Gugliotta as targets. State has no guards or forwards of that caliber today. It's all about recruiting. Casey Stengel was described as a "genius" when he managed the NY Yankees (Mantle, Berra, Ford, Maris) and became the all-time losingest manager when he was hired by the original Mets (Marv Throneberry, Elio Chacon, and North Carolina's own Dave "Roadblock" Jones of Winton). Was Casey dumber as a manager with the Mets than he was with the Yankees? I don't think so. The NCSU problem is compounded, too, by history -- we are not likely to see the likes of Jim Valvano, the best "seat-of-his-pants" coach in ACC history. Sidney played for V but he ain't V, nor is anyone else likely to be. The problem will be solved by better players. And that's gonna take a while

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