Lowe Says Effort is There for N.C. State

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Lowe Says Effort is There for N.C. State

By J. Mike Blake

Jan 18, 2008

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N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe said several times that he “hates to lose,” something that dates back to his playing days for the Wolfpack. This comes at a time when his players’ heart and effort have been questioned by fans after State dropped its first two ACC games by just over 23 points per game.

“The one thing I never wanted fans to say when I was here is that I didn’t play hard, and that’s something that I’m trying to get our team to understand,” said Lowe.

But a lot of it, according to Lowe, has to do with his player’s outward appearance. Even though his players often have deadpan faces, he insisted it has a lot to do with their personalities.

“They’re low-key kind of guys and sometimes you look at guys like that and you think they’re not playing hard,” Lowe said. “George Gervin barely broke a sweat playing but still gave you 35 [points]. Some guys will be sweating and looking like they’re playing hard and when you finish up they’ve had one rebound and no points.”

“Some guys might not look like they’ve been playing hard but that’s just the way we look. We were down in the other night and had a guy twist his ankle because he’s going so hard after this loose ball. I’d say he’s playing pretty hard.”

The Pack’s back-to-back losses have been met with scrutiny rarely found in the NBA, home of the 82-game season. Lowe was adamant that losing, for him, is no different despite the higher emphasis placed on each individual game in the college ranks.

“Losing is losing to me. It really doesn’t matter. Losing by one point, losing by 20 points, to me it doesn’t matter,” Lowe said.

“At the end of the day, it’s a loss and I hate it. I don’t like losing. My time in the NBA has nothing to do with my passion for a win or my hatred for a loss. I don’t like to lose and I don’t like losers and I don’t like people who accept losing.”

Being a former player for the Pack, Lowe said he understands where fans are coming from in the complaints surrounding his team’s performance.

“We don’t play for ourselves regardless of what we want to think. We play for our fans. It sounds crazy but that’s what it is,” Lowe said. “In the NBA, you play for the team, but here you play for the fans. They get it. [The fans] get it from a Wake fan, a Duke fan a Carolina fan if you’re not winning and you have to deal with it every day.”

Lowe dismissed the notion that his guys aren’t giving effort, but rather that it was a “matter of understanding,” and so he harped upon how his team must play smarter in the future.

The Pack has 40 combined turnovers in the losses to Clemson and North Carolina, but turnovers aren’t the only area where the team needs a boost in basketball IQ.

“The Clemson game for example, we didn’t work [in practice] on doubling [down] in the post. We doubled in the post five times and they hit five 3’s,” Lowe said. “I don’t think it’s the effort as much as it is understanding and sticking with it.”

After digging themselves in a hole to start the conference season, Lowe said that his players were taking those humbling losses to heart.

“I sensed a couple of guys were hurt, which I liked. Losing is the worst. I hate it,” Lowe said. “If I see a guy who’s really not hurt by losing then I have a problem. I don’t think it’s shattered confidence, I think guys are still trying to figure some things out within themselves …They’re not hanging their heads, they’re disappointed.”

While the conference slate hasn’t been kind so far, Lowe stopped short of saying that Saturday’s ACC home opener against Miami was a must-win situation this early in the season.

“We definitely need to win but I’m not going to say it’s a must-win. A must-win comes when your back is against the wall,” Lowe said. “Just for the confidence factor and to understand and get our team to learn, [winning] is something that we need to do.”

Lineup Changes With the Pack…

The Pack will likely have to try to get that first ACC win without Ben McCauley, who has been unable to practice this week after injuring his right ankle against Clemson.
The possible absence of McCauley coincides with the emergence of freshman forward Tracy Smith. Coming off career highs in points, rebounds and minutes, Lowe said Smith would continue to see more action.

“He’s been very active, he’s done a great job and he’s earned more minutes,” Lowe said.

Point guard Marques Johnson will make his second straight start at the point on Saturday, even as Courtney Fells has started seeing some time there.

Johnson was held scoreless for the third time in six games against Clemson.

Most Recent Comments

Hokie94: You hit the nail right on the head. Their problem is not talent, it is getting them to forget egos and play together as a team! When you have players running down the court with a "ME" attitude, just because Hickson is clearly a pro prospect, and they are not ...... sit them on the bench until they can get over their sulk! Go Wolfpack!

why don't you both shut up so we can get back to sensible discourse about the story?

BTW TBK, you're a hypocrite. You are forever quoting someone and then bashing them with their own words. What's wrong? Can't take what you dish out?

I think that Coach Lowe knows the X'and O's. But, it appears to me that he needs to concentrate on the aspect of trying to change some of the players attitudes. There are some players that don't want the other teammate to get more ink than themselves. I don't see the needed team chemistry. These guys are getting a free education by being on the team. If they can't learn to do what's right for the TEAM, then he should find someone that does. Sit the people down until they change their attitudes. Hickman is a great player and, I think that some of the other players are resentful of his numbers. Jay Bilas made a reference last week about players not getting along, and this is evident now.

Nope Peppy, I have been on this Golo thing for a few months. Like I told you the other day, I don't need to make fake profiles. Ask WRAL/Golo... They can see for themselves who this BIgCheese guy is... Ask them to look at the ip address and you will find that mine isnt in the bunch.

You keep stressing about this BigCheese guy. It wouldn't surprise me if it is in fact you. Yeah, that makes plenty of sense to me. You seem like the type that would stir the pot.

"I don't post things to irritate people or to agitate them. I post the truth in my own way. For example:"

You're one of the people that kept posting about how State should have kept Herb, too, when that was just irritating people. I know who you are, BIGCHEESEAMATO. Don't pretend!

Let me guess, you got yourself banned and have returned as Tarheel_Pest_Control. LOL

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