It is a real shame that Sidney Lowe’s first team is as limited as it is. Otherwise, you’d be hearing a lot more about “when Sidney was in school”. (Just wait until next year when every event during the season mark’s the 25th anniversary of the Wolfpack’s miracle run.)
Today, Dan Wiederer of the Fayetteville Observer authored a great piece recalling that State’s run in 1983 started with a big win over Carolina in the ACC Tournament. Technician also has a piece about the last time that Sidney Lowe and Roy Williams clashed. (DVR Alert: Coincidentally, this game will be broadcast on ESPNClassic this afternoon at 2pm ET).
The springboard victory in State’s captivating 10-game winning streak to end the season may have come in the form of a 91-84 overtime upset of defending national champion North Carolina in the semifinals of the ACC tournament.
With point guard Sidney Lowe exploding for 19 points in the first half and Whittenburg scoring 11 in overtime, the Wolfpack toppled the No. 5 team in the country, fueling their confidence for a magical run.
In some fateful and roundabout way, that victory over Carolina is, at least in some small way, part of the reason Lowe is back on the N.C. State sideline these days as head coach.
Saturday at the RBC Center, he will march back into battle with the rival Tar Heels for the first time in 23 years, 10 months and 22 days, carrying a personal two-game winning streak against Carolina.
The Fayetteville Observer got it half right.
State’s confidence was boosted and the catalyst for the run most definitely started with a big win over Carolina. BUT, the win that got the ball rolling was not in the Omni in Atlanta, it was on Saturday afternoon of February 19th in Reynolds Coliseum when the Pack defeated Carolina 70-63. Four days later, State went on to beat Duke by 18 points. After a couple of hiccups against Top 5 Virginia and Maryland the run was on full steam and the Pack finished the season 12-2 (starting on February 19th).
You youngsters – and administrators who aren’t from around these parts – take a moment to fully digest the information included in the preceeding paragraph. State beat Carolina and Duke within four days of each other and it really wasn’t the end of the world. I couldn’t help but think about this over the last couple of weeks when I heard people legitimately asking if anyone had every beaten Carolina and Duke back to back like Virginia Tech?
That February beautiful day in Reynolds marked the first of three wins in a four year period for Jim Valvano’s Wolfpack against top-flight Tarheel teams coached by Dean Smith and Roy Williams. It was also the day that one of the most special plays in NC State history occurred as game was winding down and Sidney Lowe ended a fast break with a no look, between the legs bounce pass to a trailing Thurl Bailey who posterized Sam Perkins with one of the most remembered slam dunks in NC State history. See below.
It is wonderful for ESPN Classic to run the Wolfpack’s 1983 win over Carolina in the Omni. For old-school Wolfpackers, it would be an equally nice treat for them to re-run the game in Reynolds from 1983.
Dan Wierderer goes on to finish his article with a very nice touch:
Lowe knows the significance of the rivalry as well as anyone.
“It’s nothing I’m going to die over,†he said back in October. “But is it a bigger game? No question. Is that a game you really want to win and need to win because of the rivalry? Absolutely.â€
The notion that today’s contest is just one of 16 ACC games is little more than a smokescreen.
In reality, that philosophy comes laced with an understanding that one game can mean so much more.
Just ask the 1983 Wolfpack.
Understanding of the increased importance of some games may have on the rest of your season is something that Wolfpackers’ from the 1970s and 1980s innately understand. We experienced so many ‘runs’ that were built on experiences of tough early season scheduling mixed with innovative and passionate coaching that we KNOW that a high level of success can be reached in Raleigh. The following is an awesome snippet from one of our readers in the great comments below:
I was at this 83 State-Carolina game in Reynolds. Though I’ve been a lifelong Wolfpacker and been to hundreds of games with many special moments — this game stands out above all others.
The atmoshpere in Reynolds was electric that day and when Dean Smith got his second T, the place seemed like it was on the verge of a riot. Yet, as exciting and special as it was – it didn’t feel like some huge upset. We knew we could play with those guys and at that point, were just a few weeks away from tying them in both the number of ACC and national titles.
Let that sink in. You have to respect what Dean Smith did at Carolina, and for most of his tenure, he kept the program at the highest levels. Yet – the difference between the two programs was not some great divide. The Tarholes certainly didn’t regard us a some little brother type who could never beat them. The hatred was mutual and Duke was an afterthought.
THAT is our heritage. I hope that Coach Lowe fufills the potential we see and restores it.
Follow-up: If you are in a bit of a nostalgic mode after reading this, then you will enjoy this piece which we think is one of our best ever.
