Facts: N.C. State has lost 29 of its past 34 games with Duke. The Wolfpack lost to Duke again on Wednesday, 92-78. Sidney Lowe’s record at N.C. State is 71-62.
Opinion: Sidney Lowe is coaching to save his career this year. Lowe’s program must turn around before the end of the season to recover his track record. He must allow the players to take the lead on the court and give the appropriate leadership off the court for championship wins.
Sidney Lowe was hired to replace Herb Sendek in 2006 to head our current basketball program. He was met by the student body with great enthusiasm and support because he was more electrifying than Sendek. To boost morale with the student and fan base, Lowe sported the traditional red blazer to honor his former coach, Jim Valvano. But the fanfare and support started to fade and many fans question the leadership of our coach. While students and fans may agree that Lowe is a great person, he may not be reflective of the coach our University needs at the moment. With an ACC record of 20 wins and 44 losses from the 2006-2010 season, his future here may be in doubt.
Lowe was head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves and won 33 games and lost 102 during his 1993-1994 career. Later he coached for the Memphis Grizzlies and had a 0-8 season starter before leaving shortly after. His NBA professional coaching career ended with 79-228. Overall at N.C. State from 2006-2010, Lowe has a 71-62 record. These are not the resumes of a good coach, but Wolfpack fans still expect more wins than losses.
Wednesday’s game against rival Duke University was a lesson learned that the men’s basketball team needs leadership on the court and not just from the sidelines. Fans seem very excited about Tracy Smith, Ryan Harrow, C.J. Leslie and Scott Wood, and expect to see leadership from these players and only advice from their coach. Instead, many see Coach Lowe as a micromanager instead of the coach fans first saw in 2006. Our players appear to be the right talent on the court but there is doubt that they have the right leadership from the sidelines.
The good news is that the Wolfpack basketball program has promise and hope on the court, but only if our players command on the hardwood. Our University no longer needs moral victories but ACC or perhaps NCAA victories displayed in our trophy case. At this juncture it is safe to say that Lowe is coaching for his survival. If N.C. State does not appear in the NCAA tournament then many feel that it is time for Lowe to go.
