WRALSportsFan
Lowe Wants Pack to Start Second Half Stronger
By J. Mike Blake Feb 14, 2008
Entering tonight’s game at Boston College, Sidney Lowe’s team is still trying to get a grip on winning the second half. In its past two road games, the full 40 minutes have been 20 minutes too long for N.C. State.
A nine-point advantage at halftime evaporated into a 92-72 loss at Duke.
The Wolfpack took a 33-31 lead at Maryland into the locker room, but was dominated in the second half and lost by 12.
And speaking of second halves, the Pack is 0-1 in the second portion of the ACC season.
At 4-5 in the ACC with seven games left, the Pack knows it must start stringing together not only two complete halves, but wins – no matter where the game takes place.
“It’s frustrating in the end when you don’t win a game,” Lowe said Wednesday. “It’s frustrating to see us come out and play well in the first half and then come out in the second half and not be able to execute offensively or defensively.”
In the Maryland and Duke games, Lowe said his team failed to match the opponents’ concentration and intensity levels in the second half.
“That’s something that, again, we’re trying to work with our guys in understanding that. Sometimes our young guys, they don’t quite get it right away,” Lowe said. “We have to come out and initiate that energy and that level of intensity.
Maryland scorched the Pack for 53 second-half points, shooting 74 percent from the field. Duke did much of the same, going for 55 points and shooting 66 percent.
In both games, the opposing team’s ball handlers were allowed to dribble around the defense unchallenged, and kicked out to wide-open shooters all second half long.
“I told our guys, I want to see someone get upset about their man scoring as opposed to getting upset about missing a shot,” Lowe said. “When I see you get upset about your man scoring, and you come back down and you do something about it, now we’re starting to get it, now we’re starting to understand.”
The second-year coach said he wanted a “quick fix” to the second-half troubles, but acknowledged it may be awhile before any changes are seen.
If there’s any reason to think that State will have addressed the problem before it takes on the Eagles tonight, it might be found earlier this year, when the main problem was getting off to good first halves.
It was the first five minutes of the game that particularly gave State trouble. After Lowe placed emphasis on good starts and tinkered with the lineup, the Pack has finished the first half either with the lead or the score tied in six of the last seven games.
“We took care of [starting the game right] in our last few ball games and now we have to get to the point where we can come out that first five minutes of the second half,” Lowe said. “It’s just the concentration and the mentality of ‘OK guys let’s come out here and get a good start here and get a good run.’”
Lowe said he wasn’t necessarily frustrated with his players, but more with the fact they “haven’t gotten it yet.”
“It doesn’t matter what the other team does. I tell my guys, if you’re determined that you’re going to get to a certain spot or set a certain screen and you’re not going to allow anyone to knock you off that path - then you’re going to get it done,” Lowe said.
“That’s what we’re going to be facing and that’s that hurdle that we have to get over, offensively and defensively.”
If the Pack had held on to wins either at Maryland or Duke, it’d be above .500 in conference and have a significant win come March. Instead, it will be looking to pull even in conference play at a team that has lost its last six games.
“Toughness” is something Lowe has said he preaches to his team. Now, he’s preaching it in order to close games out. And he sounded confident that his team would do just that.
“I think they’re going to get it,” Lowe said. “They’ve accomplished everything that we’ve wanted to do as far as certain areas of the game and this is the last hurdle.”
Copyright 2012 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Most Recent Comments
"An NIT bid would be a major victory for this season, and I think they'll have to win 2 games in the ACC tourny to get that. I'm not very optimistic here!"
Not being very optimistic here?!?? Considering that State is 15-8, with seven regular season games remaining, we would have to lose ALL SEVEN GAMES to finish 15-15, and then lose the first round game in the ACC tournament to finish with a losing record.
I seriously doubt State loses their next 8 games. If we win just 1 or 2, we're in the NIT!
"Ain't gonna happen."
As long as we beat the Heels and Devils, I'll be OK if we don't win ALL our remaining games. :)
I'm a huge Pack fan, but am realistic about what this team and coach are capable of. An NIT bid would be a major victory for this season, and I think they'll have to win 2 games in the ACC tourny to get that. I'm not very optimistic here!
"Hey Sid - how about just winning the remaining games this season?"
Ain't gonna happen.
wral doesnt like me anymore
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