Wolfpack's Lowe Sees Carry-Over from Duke Loss

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Wolfpack's Lowe Sees Carry-Over from Duke Loss

By J. Mike Blake

Mar 7, 2008

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Raleigh, N.C. — Sidney Lowe said he has been pleased with the way his players have responded in practice after taking a few days off following the emotional Senior Day loss to Duke.

Lowe said he could see in his players’ eyes that they realized how well they were capable of playing.

“They came to that next practice with that edge, with that attitude that we’ve got to keep this going,” Lowe said. “There was definitely some carry-over emotionally [from the Duke game], but not in terms of a negative way but a positive way. Just the way they came [into practice]; they came in there realizing we can play with anyone.”

With their backs against the wall, the N.C. State players have picked things up in practice in hopes of making a late surge in the ACC Tournament.

“[Practice has] been very good upbeat and very active,” Lowe said. “It’s been intense, guys really going after each other.”

So intense, in fact, one player needed medical attention.

“Brandon [Costner] got hit once [during practice],” Lowe said. “Doc checked him out and he was OK.”

The team’s postseason chances, however, are on crutches at this point.

Thanks to a seven-game losing streak, the Wolfpack plummeted from .500 in the conference with NCAA Tournament aspirations to 4-11 – it will need nothing short of an ACC Tournament title to make the NCAA field.

A full week in between games hasn’t allowed the Wolfpack (15-14, 4-11 ACC) a chance to get out of the ACC cellar, and it will close out the regular season on Saturday at Wake Forest.

Games like the one versus Duke have been provided glimpses of what this team could have been, but not every contest has seen performances of that caliber.

Nonetheless Lowe said he’s focused more on how his team is playing now rather than let his mind wonder where the kind of play exhibited against Duke have been all year long.

“I was more just enjoying watching those guys play. I was proud of them,” Lowe said. “For them to realize that when you put it together and you go out there and you play as hard as you can and as smart as you can good things happen. We can play well. We can beat anyone.”

In its earlier game against Wake this season, the Pack seized victory on a last-second dunk-back by Ben McCauley. The Demon Deacons (16-12 overall, 6-9 ACC), who are playing for an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament, have lost just twice at home this season.

For State, the win would snap the ongoing losing streak and by doing so, could give the team a much-needed boost going into the ACC Tournament, where everyone is set back to 0-0.

“Going into Wake Forest and getting a win is going to be tough. If we can do that, then it’s going to be a pretty good accomplishment for us,” Lowe said.

“Going in there and getting a win where they play well, that’s something that can jumpstart [us] going into the [ACC] Tournament. It’s always good if you can go into the tournament with a win. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t, but if you go in there with a win in your last game, it gives you something to build on.”

Most Recent Comments

"tarheelbaby29" - I thought "Rubleehockey03" was the low class UNC poster, but you're giving him a run for his money!

FIRE LOWE!!!!

they've had a few games (and a few other half games) where they've shown they can play. However, this season has been terrible, and it's a little too late. Still got my fingers crossed that they do come off that Duke game and continue to play the same. but I ain't betting on it.

TRUE HEART AND STATE B-BALL TEAM? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Yeah it's a little to late to start acting like they care!

I hope State pulls thru Sat! They deserve to win and be in the ACC after the way they played against Duke. This is one team that plays with a true heart

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