Goodman: ‘The Lowe Down’

07-08 Basketball General Sidney Lowe21

Fox Sports’ Jeff Goodman blogged a quick piece on the 2007-2008 version of NC State Basketball. (Link)

It’s no secret that the key for Sidney Lowe and the N.C. State Wolfpack next year will be point guard play.

The title of the blog entry definitely does not fit the meat of the commentary since Sidney Lowe (or is it Sydney?) is not the focus of the piece in any way. There is nothing really in the piece outside of the obvious that DeGand, Johnson and Gonzalez will fight for playing time at the point guard position to manage a team with a lot of wing and front court depth and talent.

Interesting side note — I wonder if Goodman has some kind of back-channel connection to Degand (HS coach? AAU? Something?) Unless he is criticizing Wolfpackers for not fawning over Herb Sendek, Goodman doesn’t write a whole lot about State (even though he was once listed on the roster of authors of Pack Pride.) But, about a year ago Goodman had a set of comments about NC State basketball that focused on…you guessed it…Farnold Degand. We blogged about it at the time here.

Farnold DeGand just seems like an odd topic to be such a prominent topic to a national media source. No big deal. Just interesting

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07-08 Basketball General Sidney Lowe

21 Responses to Goodman: ‘The Lowe Down’

  1. burnbarn 06/09/2007 at 1:48 PM #

    I think Goodman is part of the Boston media and mentions DeGand as he from that area? IF he was ever part of PP, then maybe that is the connection?

  2. Otis 06/09/2007 at 2:19 PM #

    I hope he is right about F.D. when the season starts we will have two point guards with a total of 0 experience at the collage level. With the number of quality players we have I would love to see the Pack run other teams out of the building. Engin was a good leader before Sid, bu Sid got him to bring it up a notch, I hope F.D. with a year of coaching from Sid can that kind of player we need.

  3. sf59 06/10/2007 at 12:49 AM #

    we will have options at the one for the 1st time in a loooong time. Will be fun to watch 🙂

  4. ncsu96 06/10/2007 at 10:41 AM #

    on the bright side of the pg situation, no matter who wins out the starting job our perimeter defense will be much better next year. This equals parts our influx of guards, and the many acc departures at guard.
    on the offensive side I hope someone can replace engin’s ability to feed the post, engin’s sharp shooting really gave our guys some space down low.

  5. redfred2 06/10/2007 at 7:16 PM #

    I think both the PG and the two spot are up for grabs. Fells has all of the athletic ability in the world but he doesn’t seem to be too interested in using it most of the time. I think that if Marques Johnson is good, and really challenges for PT, that he may be more of a blessing to Courtney Fells’, and his overall game, than anything else.

  6. westwolf 06/10/2007 at 8:03 PM #

    ^That’s a very good point. There’s nothing like intensity in practice and a true battle fro playing time to light a fire under some players. If Fells ever starts to use his athleticism to its fullest, and gets the kind of mind-set that Costner has, that tough killer instinct, then he’s will be a force out there.

  7. CedarGroveWolf 06/11/2007 at 9:48 AM #

    Fells will start & get much PT, count on it.

  8. westwolf 06/11/2007 at 10:43 AM #

    ^And in other news, water is wet.

  9. CedarGroveWolf 06/11/2007 at 10:52 AM #

    ^ um, that’s different from “up for grabs”. Duh.

  10. packbackr04 06/11/2007 at 1:15 PM #

    cedar, you strike me as the type of guy that would f*ck a person in the a$$, and not even have the common courtesy to give him a reach around…. ill be watchin you

  11. CedarGroveWolf 06/11/2007 at 1:51 PM #

    ^ classy

  12. Rick 06/11/2007 at 2:08 PM #

    “Fells will start & get much PT, count on it.”

    Given how historically suspect your opinions are, I think I will wait and see for myself what happens. I mean you are still defending.

    Dance time.

  13. lush 06/11/2007 at 3:02 PM #

    why dont you tell him how you really feel packbacker?

  14. statered 06/11/2007 at 4:54 PM #

    Cedar is right on this one. Fells will get mucho time. All of you other guys are betting on someone you have never seen. I mean I know that happens a lot on the internets and all but you’d think you’d learn. Every year the QB on the bench is supposed to be better than the starter and it almost never happens.

  15. redfred2 06/11/2007 at 6:04 PM #

    I wasn’t saying Fells won’t get his PT, but I hope there is someone chomping at the bit to get in there when he comes out. I don’t know if that’ll do it, but Fells needs something to get into his head right so that maybe he will start playing up close to his physical abilities and participating all game long without disappearing for long periods of time.

    I’m not saying that I think, or want, the freshmen take these positions away. But damn, don’t be so timid or worried about mistakes, play hard and at least TRY to make a difference while you’re out there, or sit down.

  16. vtpackfan 06/11/2007 at 7:43 PM #

    Courtney Fells needs to work on certain parts of his game this off season. I don’t need to get in to all that, but it’s what the sports writers seem to always miss when doing pieces during the offseason. Sure there are always going to be the obvious question marks of ” is so-in-so going to step into the role that was left by so-in-so”. Just easy editorial stuff, like doing your homework 15 minutes before class.

    Whats real important to cover in the off season, but too tdious to follow, is the advancement a plyer development from one season to the next. It’s the little things that the returning players are doing to ready themselves for the next season that will ultimately determine whether the Degands, Johnson’s, Javy’s of the world can be succesful in their first year at PG.

    It’s called room for error, and it’s something we had about zero of last year. It will be created by McCauley’s extra conditioning and maybe a little work on his mid range jump shot. It will be Costner’s ability to drive and finish with both hands. It will be Fells competing more on the defensive end and trying to create havoc with his quickness and long arm to create turn overs and fast break chances. Horner could use some bulk and a bit quicker release.

    These little things can manifest themselves into a great opportunity for some newcomers to taste success right away. If they don’t happen then there will be hurdles to climb because of our inexperience at PG, and guys like JJ Hickson are going going to have to go through a much steeper learning curve. Ultimately, player developmnet impacts Sidney Lowe and his career as a college coach, since ther is a whole lot of attention coming here that hasn’t been for some time in terms of prospects and excitment. Seeing the returning players taking bigger steps in their maturation as ball players is a much bigger storyline then “who will replace Atsur’, IMHO.

  17. TTandB74 06/12/2007 at 2:30 AM #

    Nice ref to Sgt. Ermey in “Full Metal Jacket,” packbackr04.

  18. packbackr04 06/12/2007 at 8:20 AM #

    thanks TTB74, i was hoping someone would throw a shout out.

  19. choppack1 06/12/2007 at 9:01 PM #

    vtpackfan – Good post. I agree 100%. Fells was the proverbial “X” factor for us last year. When he played well, we usually won.

    Given what I saw during the ACC and the NIT, I’m cautiously optimistic that Fells, Grant and Costner understand the effort and attention that is required in order to be something more than NIT.

    And we’ve got to cut these guys slack…all had various challenges last year – and none probably felt he could give full effort on the defensive end due to the lack of #s on the bench. That won’t be a problem this year.

  20. vtpackfan 06/13/2007 at 4:50 PM #

    You pointing that out just made me realize something else. The saying “X factor” comes from algebraic language in formulating resultings by plugging certain factor’s. X implies that there are variables involved.

    There is no variation in the saying, “Fells was the proverbial “X” factor for us last year. When he played well, we usually won.”

    Hopefully next year we can really have a host of players (x) help on certain nights and be a deciding factor on whether we win or lose. Could be JJ strong on the glass, GG getting to the free throw night alot, D-Horn making 3-pointer and taking some charge, or even a great assist ratio from the PG’s. Then kick in Fells as an X factor with his three point touch and highlight reel dunks and see what you get.

    If you’re healthy and get a little luck then these things spread out and you end up having a very exciting and sucessful season. I would like to see Fells be an “X factor” this year, not the “Courtney factor”, and have him come along gradually and learn more about how to best utilize his skill and exploit the opportunities that will present themselves. Given time and some patience I think Fells with this coaching staff can really excell at a high level. It just might take until his senior year for it to come together, but I like you Choppack and many others are optimistic that it could happen a whole lot sooner. Only time will tell.

  21. redfred2 06/25/2007 at 11:18 PM #

    Late getting back to this thread, but I agree with chop, good post(s) there vt.

    I am kind of guarded about saying this, but I truly believe that Gavin Grant will bust through in this, his final and upcoming senior season. I’m thinking that with the addition of Hickson, also Horner’s experience and futher development, that there will a true inside presence with enough manpower that they can afford fight rebounding position without worrying so much about fouling or the fatique factor. That would allow Grant to stay on the attack, just like Grant likes it and like he no doubt has the b*lls to do, with his 6’7″ slashing and the matchup difficulties he presents. Which also adds much pressure on any and all opposing defenders inside. The added bodies/fouls to give, should really improve Grant’s game. Not to mention that there should more passing lanes available for Grant to dump off when needed, and more people available to clean up after any missed attempt on Grant’s, or really anyone’s, part.

    I think Gavin Grant may be a real star in the ACC this season.

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