Lowe Looks For Production at Point

WRALSportsFan

Lowe Looks For Production at Point

By WRAL

Jun 25, 2007

comments

Raleigh, N.C. — Sidney Lowe is looking to mix and match as the N.C. State basketball season approaches.

The Wolfpack is loaded in the frontcourt, with 6-8 Brandon Costner and 6-9 Ben McCauley returning and 6-8 J.J. Hickson leading the incoming freshman class.

"We're pretty stacked," Lowe said of the post positions.

That leaves the coaching staff mulling its options for a squad that also returns 6-7 wing Gavin Grant and 6-5 shooting guard Courtney Fells.

One possible lineup: Grant at shooting guard with Costner, McCauley and Hickson along the front line.

"That's a pretty big lineup," Lowe said.

But State's fortunes may depend on its point guard play. Starting point guard Engin Atsur was a senior last season, and Lowe does not plan to use Grant at point guard again, where he often turned the ball over.

Instead, State will look at 6-3 Farnold Degand, a transfer from Iowa State; 6-5 Marques Johnson, a transfer from Tennessee, and 6-foot freshman Javier Gonzalez. State signed Gonzalez late to add depth at the position.

"We didn't have a point guard where he'd established himself at that position," Lowe said. "I don't give any positions away and that position is up for grabs now."

Lowe said Degand has great quickness and Lowe likes the way Johnson looks to control an offense.

"He's more of a run-the-show point guard," Lowe said.

The point guard will get intense scrutiny from Lowe, the point guard for State's 1983 national champions.

"I'll probably call most of the plays," Lowe said. "Even with Engin, I called a lot of the plays, since it was our first year together. I'd much rather the point guard call them but I knew the things we put in were new."

Lowe, at the start of the news conference, said he would not address any personal questions. His son, Sidney Lowe II, was arrested in Greensboro in the spring and charged with armed robbery and kidnapping.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro police said the 21-year-old Lowe II was charged with nine counts, including a felony of aiding and abetting attempted armed robbery in connection with the shooting of a man in a campus dorm.

Dane Huffman

WRAL.com

Most Recent Comments

If being a snob means having two degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill, then I guess I'm a snob.

I see. Telling it like it is makes me a snob. I don't want to be a snob so, tell ya what, I'll change my opinion. Here goes:

State is a basketball powerhouse. The thought of beating them, why it would not only be the highlight of Carolina and Duke's season, but also every other ACC team. When the Wolfpack goes on the road, there isn't an empty seat in the building. Fans have camped out for weeks. Tickets are being scalped in the parking lot for hundreds of dollars. And all their games are shown on primetime TV. Yep, when people around the country think of college basketball's elite, they think NC State.

should have said "ABCer". :)

Reality is that most Carolina fans are arrogant snobs like you. Being an ABC is as easy as... well ABC..

Go Pack!

packandcanes, We can't help it if the joy you feel by beating the Heels isn't recipricated in full. Do you think the Lakers get all giddy when they beat the Clippers? Win more games, don't go to the NIT, and most importantly beat Carolina more than 30% of the time. Until then, stop being mad we can't muster up equal hatred. Sorry, that's reality.

WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan