WRAL Sports Fan

"I don't know when it's going to hit me, but it's just good that we won the ballgame," Lowe said. "We're very fortunate that we came out with that win."

The RBC Center was decked out in Wolfpack red for the opening night of the 2006-2007 season, and fans were eager to see one of the heroes of N.C. State's 1983 national championship lead the team back to glory. All fans who bought a program got a commemorative Lowe poster.

"I'm very excited to see the guys play," one fan said before the game.

Although the team is young and inexperienced, Lorenzo Charles, a teammate of Lowe's on the 1983 team, said he's confident this year's team will make up in hustle what it might lack in wins.

"I think if you put a team out there that's competitive night in and night out, I think most of the people around here will accept that," Charles said.

"I think they're going to surprise people," fan Stacey Harris said. "I've been watching them over the last few weeks, and I'll tell you what, they've got some talent out there."

Lowe replaced former N.C. State coach Herb Sendek, who left for Arizona State University in April after 10 years in Raleigh. Although he's coached two NBA teams, Friday was his first experience as a collegiate coach.

Fans said they understand theyl have to give him time to build the program.

"I think it's going to be a good season because the expectations are low and we have nothing better to do than get better," fan Sarah Devane said.

"I certainly hope they'll give him four or five years to bring in his own team and get the cohesiveness we're all looking for," fan Bob Crowder said.

N.C. State has a week off before its next game against Delaware State.

"We're 1-0 now and are concentrating on the next game," McCauley said. "I know (Lowe is) excited, as are all of us. We're really pumped for the rest of the season."

• Reporter: Ken Smith
• Photographer: Nathan Monroe
• Web Editor: Matthew Burns