By now, many Wolfpack fans have formed their opinions regarding the state of the men’s basketball program. After Tuesday’s loss at Virginia, coach Sidney Lowe’s fifth team currently sits at 15-14 overall and 5-10 in the ACC with only an outside chance at making the NIT. What once was a powerhouse program of the southeast has now transformed into a continual cellar-dweller in the ACC.
There is no denying that a change is in order, but is cutting ties with Lowe really the best option?
According to a recent survey by Public Policy Polling, 29 percent of State fans said they want Lowe to return for the final year of his contract. However, 27 percent said they want him fired, while 44 percent remain indecisive about his future.
At first glance, these results may not be surprising. They may even seem too optimistic about the direction of the program under Lowe.
But what will happen if Athletic Director Debbie Yow decides to make a change in the offseason?
A change at the helm would only make matters worse. Imagine going through a season the way Wake Forest (8-21 overall, 1-13 ACC) and first-year coach Jeff Bzdelik did this year.
Sure, the Wolfpack will still have talent returning, but will have to replace seniors Tracy Smith and Javi Gonzalez. Freshman C.J. Leslie will more than likely enter the NBA Draft if he is projected as a first round pick, which he already is according to most mock drafts, and have even less of a reason for returning if Lowe is fired.
Perhaps the biggest drawback of a new coach would be the regression of guards Ryan Harrow and Lorenzo Brown after promising freshman campaigns. Point guards are like quarterbacks in that it takes a while for them to learn the offensive system. The longer they stay in the same system, the more comfortable they feel with the offense.
Throwing Harrow and Brown into a completely different coaching scheme would not only put them back at square one in their development, but also hurt the production of sharp-shooting Scott Wood who relies a great deal on others to create his shot.
But it is still easy to understand why only 29 percent of State fans said they were in favor of Lowe returning. Lowe has accrued a pedestrian 25-54 (.316) ACC record in his first collegiate coaching gig and has only one victory over cross-town rival North Carolina. He also owns the lowest winning percentage of any NBA coach with at least 300 games, going 79-228 (.257) in five seasons.
With all that being said, one fact still remains: the guy flat-out knows how to recruit. The high level of talent Lowe can attract is apparent by this past season’s No. 4-ranked recruiting class, which included Harrow, Brown and Leslie. Lowe has already locked up a strong 2011 class, which includes four-star Word of God center Joseph Uchebo and three-star forward Tyler Harris.
With the close proximity to perennial national title contenders Duke and North Carolina, top-notch recruiting is a must for any N.C. State coach if they expect to compete with its two Tobacco Road rivals. Top-notch recruiting is hard to come by and is the foundation for teams that are national championship contenders year in and year out.
Like a high schooler adjusting to the college game, an adjustment period for a coach takes time, especially if that coach has no experience in the college ranks. Many Wolfpack fans are seeking an immediate fix to the problem and wanting to jump the gun on firing Lowe instead of considering the many possible drawbacks a new coach would bring.
Lowe not only deserves to finish out the final year of his contract, but also deserves unwavering support from the Wolfpack community. If anyone wants the program to return to the glory days of 1974 and 1983, it’s Sidney Lowe. Just give him one more year.