Technician Online

March 10th, 2007

Thoughts from the semifinal win over Virginia Tech

By tanner on March 10th, 2007

TAMPA, Fla. — A few thoughts from the ACC Tournament win over Virginia Tech.

Spooky – On the day that would have been the late Jim Valvano’s 61st birthday, everything seemed to go N.C. State’s way. Free throw after free throw dropped, while Virginia Tech couldn’t hit water if it fell out of a boat.

North Carolina fans – During the North Carolina-Boston College game, the St. Pete Times Forum was packed with North Carolina fans. The atmosphere was like a home game for the Tar Heels. And while most Carolina fans cheered on N.C. State in the game against Virginia Tech, I don’t think that will happen tomorrow. Unless State fans buy some more tickets or have other schools’ fans support the Wolfpack, the St. Pete Times Forum will sound a lot like the Dean Dome for the ACC Championship game.

Engin Atsur’s hamstring – Senior guard Engin Atsur went into the locker room late in the first half, but returned to lead his team to victory. The long and short of it is, Atsur is hurt. He’s hurt and he’s important – very, very important – to N.C. State’s success.

If Atsur isn’t 100 percent or can’t even play tomorrow against North Carolina, the Wolfpack will have to get something more from redshirt sophomore guard Trevor Ferguson than what he’s demonstrated he can do in the past.

After the game he said he was ready for the challenge.

“Even when you don’t play regularly, you have to prepare like you’re going to play,” he said. “I’m ready to go whenever.”

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March 10th, 2007

Coaching superlatives

By nick on March 10th, 2007

Nick Jeffreys
Deputy Sports Editor

TAMPA, Fla. – During this week’s ACC Tournament, every game the Technician had its seat positioned directly behind one of the game’s coaches. The seat provided insight from what fans can’t get in the stands.

Most passive
Al Skinner, Boston College – During Wednesday’s opening practices, Boston College coach Al Skinner said two words to his team throughout the hour-long practice.

He sat on the scorer’s table and talked quietly with his assistants throughout. His in-game personality isn’t too different. Skinner talks a lot with his assistants and rarely scolds his players.

There were multiple instances where players would walk right past Skinner when he attempted to talk with them.

Most demanding
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke – It’s well known that Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski asks a lot from his players. And this ACC Tournament was no different.

During the Blue Devils only game in the tournament – an 85-80 loss to the Wolfpack – Krzyzewski constantly snapped at his players and let them know when they did something he didn’t like.

The military background could not be any more apparent. While to the public Krzyzewski might seem more like a saint, he has more of a Bobby Knight type attitude toward his players.

Even the managers follow strict orders. During timeouts, the group has an agenda of what to do during every second.

Most entertaining
Dave Leitao, Virginia – Shortly after Virginia lost its lead to N.C. State during Friday’s quarterfinal match, UVA coach Dave Leitao looked at the players on his bench and wanted to know the problem with his team.

After asking his team what was going on, he realized he wouldn’t get a response.

“I don’t know why I am asking you guys, you never answer me,” Leitao said to his players.

He then pointed to one of the players on his bench, deciding he would be the best one to go after.

“Especially you, you wouldn’t answer me if your life depended on it,” he said.

The second-year coach then turned back to the court and cracked a smile.

Most popular
Sidney Lowe, N.C. State – Sidney Lowe’s team has been the talk of the ACC Tournament thus far. In Tampa’s local newspaper, the St. Petersburg Times, N.C. State has been the dominant story on the front of the newspaper’s ACC Extra section the past two days.

His team has upset No. 7 Duke and then No. 2 Virginia – and in each win he has worn his trendy red jacket. After the team’s win against the Cavaliers on Friday night, more than 25 reporters stood outside his team’s locker room – no more than 10 waited for Virginia’s.

And Lowe’s talking big. He is including himself with Duke and North Carolina when he talks about the schools’ traditions – something State fans have been wanting for years.

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March 9th, 2007

Lowe aims high

By nick on March 9th, 2007

Nick Jeffreys
Deputy Sports Editor

TAMPA, Fla. – Sidney Lowe isn’t backing down from North Carolina or Duke.

Instead of treating the rivalries like any other game, he has decided to take the schools head on – and it’s worked.

In his first year at N.C. State, he has defeated the Tar Heels and the Blue Devils in the same season – something that hasn’t happened since 1995.

And it’s the attitude he’s instilled in his players about the importance of the games that’s worked.

While many Carolina and Duke fans have overlooked the rivalry in the past couple decades, the first-year coach, after the win against Duke on Thursday night, said the rivalry never went away.

“It’s not something that I made up,” Lowe said. “It was something that was there when I got there as a player. Someone told me they were big games so nothing has changed.”

Whether Lowe can be successful in pitting his team in the same category as the two schools is unknown. But for Wolfpack fans, it has to be comforting knowing that Lowe is trying to tap into the two-team dynasty in the triangle.

“You have three schools that have great basketball tradition, three schools that have won national championships, three schools that have tons of NBA players to come through here,” Lowe said. “Anytime those three lock up, it’s a big game.”

Lowe has the attitude that State can be among the best. First it comes with beating UNC and Duke. Then it comes with consistently reaching the tournament and making a deep run. And then comes to getting players in the NBA.

He shows the fans how important the games are by his “red jacket.” He then tries to give his players an NBA mindset with his background, and even more importantly with the Chicago Bulls NBA theme song – one that was extremely popular during the Michael Jordan dynasty.

Lowe is exciting. Lowe says the right things. And he has caused the fans to think big – but only time will determine whether he will be Chuck Amato or his own person.

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