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Painful Lessons
Lowe says that Wolfpack needs to remember what it learned during last season's run of disappointments
CoachSidney Lowe wants his N.C. State team to force the tempo more and improve its rebounding this season.
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Published: November 14, 2008
N.C. State must move on quickly from last season's struggles, but Coach Sidney Lowe says that it shouldn't forget what happened and why.
As painful as last season's 15-16 finish was, Lowe is hoping that his third N.C. State team can use the experience to improve significantly.
"We certainly don't forget about last year, but we don't talk about it," Lowe said. "I think about it because I want to make sure I never feel like that again.
"If you forget what it felt like, then you might allow it to happen again."
The most important issue hasn't changed -- everything hinges on a point guard.
The Wolfpack was without a competent floor leader last season after starter Farnold Degand tore the anterior-cruciate ligament in his left knee in the 10th game. Three players will share the position this season, and State has the ingredients for better play, but there are still concerns.
Degand, who sat out the 2006-07 season after transferring from Iowa, gave N.C. State what it needed before he was injured. He averaged 6.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists and led the team in 3-point shooting and assists.
Now a 6-3 junior, Degand seems far along in his recovery. Lowe held him out of action when N.C. State played two late-summer exhibition games in Toronto to give him extra time to heal and to avoid the risk of re-injury.
"I feel fine," Degand said. "We ran all the tests, and it looks good. Supposedly my left knee is as strong as my right knee. I just have to get back into playing shape."
Javier Gonzalez took over at point guard as a freshman after Degand was hurt. He struggled early and was benched after five games but worked his way back into the starter's job for the last 10 games.
Gonzalez played in all 31 games, averaging about 20 minutes and gaining what Lowe considers valuable experience. He'll need to improve on his shooting accuracy of 33 percent from the field and 28.4 percent from 3-point range.
Julius Mays, a 6-2 freshman, should provide additional help and appears talented enough to play either guard position.
"We have three (point guards) for the first time in my three years here," Lowe said. "If Farnold can make a full recovery, then we're going to be solid. I think Javi is going to play well this year, and Julius Mays is just a solid freshman player. He understands the game and knows how to play.
"If Farnold can come back 100-percent ready to go, our backcourt will be OK."
Lowe is confident that the backcourt is stronger now than it was going into last season. He is hoping that Degand and Gonzalez can play at the same time and give State more quickness.
"I feel comfortable as long as we stay healthy," Lowe said. "We are going to need all three. We can't do without two."
The Wolfpack has abundant talent in the frontcourt. Ben McCauley, a 6-9 senior, is one of the best all-around big men in the ACC and a sharp passer. Brandon Costner, a 6-9 junior, can be among the ACC's top forwards and is also an outstanding shooter.
Both, however, must rebound from disappointing seasons. Neither adjusted smoothly to the presence of J.J. Hickson, a 6-9 freshman center. McCauley, one of the program's hardest-working players, was on the bench for the opener when Hickson took his place in the lineup. Costner seemed to lose interest when he couldn't get involved in the offense.
Hickson is gone to the NBA, and team chemistry shouldn't be an issue. Costner has impressed Lowe with his work preparing for the season.
"I see a committed individual," Lowe said. "I think I see someone who took last year and learned from it. He was hurt and gained some weight and tried to do the same thing he was doing before. He knew he had to get back into shape and prove he was mentally in shape to lead this team, and I think he has done that."
Courtney Fells, a 6-6 senior, will play more at small forward, allowing State to take advantage of his athletic ability. He was a shooting guard his first three seasons and is the team's top 3-point threat.
Newcomers Johnny Thomas and C.J. Williams, both 6-5, should add depth. Thomas missed last season after injuring a knee. Williams, from Fayetteville, was one of the state's top high-school seniors last season.
Lowe recognizes that there's much work ahead for N.C. State to become competitive in the ACC. Some problems will demand his attention all season, but the games in Toronto showed Lowe that he has talent and promise and that this team can win, if it plays defense and grabs rebounds.
"We certainly want to change the tempo of our play a little more," Lowe said. "We want to get the ball up and down the floor more and get some easy baskets. I'd like to be a little more aggressive on those boards, especially on the offensive boards.
"This is an opportunity for this team to really find an identity. I see us as a team that will really play hard, and I think we'll be a good passing team."
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