Wolfpack Finally Finds “Way To Win”

RALEIGH, NC – Just days after a loss in the first round of the ACC tournament ended NC State’s basketball season with a nine game losing streak that ensured a losing record for the year, jubilant Wolfpack basketball players emerged from a players-only meeting and announced that they had finally found the “way to win.”

“Man, I am so relieved,” senior Gavin Grant said. “I mean, nine straight games is tough, especially with everyone relying on me for senior leadership. I’m glad we finally have this turned around.” Wolfpack junior Ben McCauley agreed. “We really had some issues. Now that we’ve talked through them, we feel that we’re ready to take on any team in the country and win.”

Redshirt sophomore Brandon Costner, whose game suffered a noticeable lapse in effectiveness compared to the 2006-2007 season, may be the most happy about the Wolfpack finding the way to win. “It’s certainly been disappointing, losing nine straight games. But we always say that tomorrow is a new day, and I can tell you this: our next opponent is going to have their hands full.” Freshman guard Javier Gonzalez concurred with his teammate: “In my case, finding the way to win meant realizing that turning the ball over to the other team wasn’t really smart point guard play. I mean, that’s the difference between us and, say, Carolina and Duke. We’re just as talented, really, and we’ll show that in our next game now that we’ve found the way to win again.”

Wolfpack freshman J.J. Hickson did not pause to speak with the media after the players gathering broke up, stating only that he had to attend “a meeting with some people” before speeding away in a new Cadillac Escalade with a temporary tag.

Wolfpack head coach Sidney Lowe, notified of the players-only meeting, expressed his gratification. “I must say, though, I’d have been much happier if they’d come to this conclusion during the actual basketball season,” Lowe admitted.

When assistants quietly notified the players that the season was, in fact, over, the team was stunned. “Say what?” Grant said. “But we have this turned around.” Costner too was crestfallen, stating, “Such a wasted potential; we really were finally ready to win. I understand now why the fans were so upset yesterday. Oh, well.”

NC State Director of Athletics Lee Fowler said, “This meeting is just another example of how, under my leadership, NC State is building top-caliber athletic programs. Like some guy once said, never give up. When the ACC thinks ‘champions,’ they think, ‘NC State’. And ‘Lee Fowler’.”

General

107 Responses to Wolfpack Finally Finds “Way To Win”

  1. smile102 03/17/2008 at 9:59 AM #

    Funny, worthy of The Onion.

  2. Stoner 03/17/2008 at 10:02 AM #

    Is Statefans planning a serious post about the state and direction of our basketball program?

    Out basketball program’s been a joke for 20 years, how can anyone take it seriously?

  3. PacknSack 03/17/2008 at 10:28 AM #

    Sarcasm. I get it. Cute.

    The only question I want ask of Lowe on the radio show is “What changes do you plan to make in the offseason to make this a winning team?”

  4. Rick 03/17/2008 at 10:34 AM #

    “I wonder, honestly, of what such a “serious post” would consist. I’ve made it clear that I am no basketball expert, but the problems with this team honestly don’t appear fixable by adjustments. Only addition and subtraction.”

    I haev contemplated an article but do not knwo where to begin. There is something bad going on and I honestly am not sure how it should be fixed.

    And if I, a person with a normal IQ, cannot figure it out I know LF is completely baffled. He probably has the human equivalent of the Microsoft blue screen going on in his head.

  5. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 03/17/2008 at 10:51 AM #

    I think Lowe needs to shake up his staff. I think the players and the fans need to know that Lowe won’t allow for another season like this one. If not Lowe won’t be around long enough to worry about the future of State basketball.

    I don’t know the staff and I’m sure they are all fine people so I don’t want to call out names but Lowe needs a staff that is going to get these guys in ACC shape. Some of the staff (including Lowe)seem lethargic and so to the players. I can assure you I’m no fan of Herb but the one thing I liked about him was sending some of the Robinson era players to the doctor after the first practice.

  6. Rochester 03/17/2008 at 10:51 AM #

    He probably has the human equivalent of the Microsoft blue screen going on in his head.

    More likely the flying toasters screen saver.

  7. Cardiff Giant 03/17/2008 at 10:58 AM #

    Rick, that is what I thought. I mean, if someone with your degree of knowledge shrugs his shoulders and says, in effect, “WTF?” then there really isn’t a readily discernable answer. The team’s behavior is basically inexplicable, as my sarcastic post was intended to emphasize.

    For any number of reasons, I kept largely silent during this debacle – no satire posts as with the final immolation of the Amato era. But now that the debacle is complete I see no reason not to point out the obvious: this program is in a tailspin of suckdom that is to some extent inexplicable.

  8. RegularExpression 03/17/2008 at 11:00 AM #

    I heard Tony Haynes on 99.9 theFan this morning and he summed it up pretty well. Our recruiting class for next year is not highly rated, so we have to count on the current players to improve pretty markedly if we are to have any hope next year.(Of course he was a bit more diplomatic than that) He did mention conditioning specifically which I thought was interesting.

    I think there is some hope though. It isn’t as though any of our players played anywhere near their ceiling this year. Just getting Costner back to his freshman form would be like subtracting a dead weight and adding a really good offensive threat. Much the same can be said for McCauley as well. I think we will know by the first couple games whether it will be a long season or a potentially surprising one.

  9. packbackr04 03/17/2008 at 11:25 AM #

    I Just want to know what has been going on since the season ended. Has Sid been busting his hump? are their rumors of firing any assts? is anyone transferring? you know that stuff is happening, and i want to know what is going on.

  10. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 03/17/2008 at 11:34 AM #

    “I Just want to know what has been going on since the season ended.”

    I just hope I don’t hear that Lowe has been on a ‘much deserved golf vacation’.

  11. WolftownVA81 03/17/2008 at 11:50 AM #

    From a previous post of mine:

    “Note to Sid: You should layout your plan for improvement to the Wolfpack Nation very soon. Your evaluation may not come until the end of next season; however, if you don’t share some info, I’m affraid support for you and the program will be weak to nonexistent. Of course I only speak for myself but imagine others are waiting to hear the explanation for this season and how you plan to fix it.”

    Some straight talk at the weekly radio show would be refreshing. He should already have had a plan in place and is ready to pull the trigger.

  12. statered 03/17/2008 at 11:51 AM #

    Cardiff – I can handle the hard questions about the program and would love some of the hard facts that many allude to but few seem willing to say. Just don’t know if mocking the program gets us anywhere.

  13. ktoh 03/17/2008 at 11:54 AM #

    I know most will but could you please leave a recap of sids show tonight,I know I am a mashocist but still would love to hear what at all he says. Would have loved instead a step aside press conference starring sid .

  14. redfred2 03/17/2008 at 11:54 AM #

    Cardiff, you have much more will power and restraint than I do. I’ve been spilling my guts at will around here lately, and haven’t heard anything, from anyone, that even come close to explaining this fiasco.

    All I can really come up with is that Lowe doesn’t know how to command respect or force his will. His staff, as well as his players, just may not have anything that is CLEARLY laid out, or any direction to strive for.

  15. blackdom 03/17/2008 at 12:03 PM #

    redfred2: there is a solution to this problem ,Sid ain’t cutting it and it is a mute point because no one here will ever do anything about it.Why? cause the administration does not give a f. State wide as long as unc is doing fine no one cares about us.
    Hey we won the league in 70′ lets put a retread from that squad on staff as well.It would not be that bad if sid could recruit but not only can’t he recruit he can’t coach as well.

  16. kyjelly 03/17/2008 at 12:13 PM #

    sid has no answer or solution another year or 3 how ever long the feel like keeping him employed.
    We are the laughing stock of the league every team that did not get into the tourney has got a good nucleus coming back in our league,plus wake has one of the best incoming class next year.
    The only way things will change is if the rbc center starts looking like a tomb ,but we will still go and support this trainwreck so no solution on the horizons.

  17. jmartineau 03/17/2008 at 12:56 PM #

    I enjoyed the post, but then again I have an unusual sense of humor. That aside, I was thinking ahead and can anyone else almost feel the uncomfortable questions being asked when Sid heads out onto the road for this year’s Caravan? It almost makes we NOT want to go. Of course, I will, but more for the Jr. Wolfpack Club prizes for my kids then anything else.

    p.s. I hope all the players are signed up for Summer school. I suggest the following subjects

    Chemistry: As in, how about we develop some team chemistry

    Psychology: Addressing and understanding our feelings and motivations (joint class with Chemistry)

    Physics: Inertia and overcoming that whole body at rest thing (rebounding lab required)

    Organization Behavior: Leadership Development 101

    PE (Basketball): A refresher that you are graded not upon how much talent you have, but how you perform and improve over the course.

    Statistics: We must score more than the other team to declare victory

    Meterology (Coaches Only): forecasting/planning versus

  18. Girlfriend in a Coma 03/17/2008 at 1:11 PM #

    Sid had better start shitting Tiffany cufflinks if he wants to last past next year.

    In terms of the coaching job he has done in the last two years, he is a cross between Bob Wade and Clyde Drexler.

  19. Girlfriend in a Coma 03/17/2008 at 1:13 PM #

    ^^^^^ “mute point.” Did the poster intend the Les reference? Either way, LOL!

  20. packbackr04 03/17/2008 at 1:13 PM #

    well sid… we’re waiting

  21. GAWolf 03/17/2008 at 1:43 PM #

    A new story is churning through the rumor mill that would explain it all. Until I hear more from elsewhere I just can’t bring myself to spread what at this point is baseless rumor. There seems to be some “word” leaking now that the season is finally over. It’s going to be really interesting to see if what I’ve heard starts creeping up in other places. If it does and it’s true, I completely understand why the coaches remained so tight-lipped, why the chemistry on this team was horrid and why things got progressively worse as the season went on.

  22. jmartineau 03/17/2008 at 1:46 PM #

    “Churning through the rumor mill”?

    Sounds more like you’re being cautious that if it is a rumor it’s not pegged on you. Well, I can respect that. As much as I hate to say it, I do hope there is something to explain all of this.

  23. Trip 03/17/2008 at 1:51 PM #

    “A new story is churning through the rumor mill that would explain it all”

    Wha? It must be something incredible to explain everything that has happened this season. So far we haven’t even been able to GUESS what could have caused this.

  24. GAWolf 03/17/2008 at 1:56 PM #

    Well I heard from a friend who heard from a friend who heard from a… so I would define that as a rumor. If it’s true, then it’s a fact that’s gotten out. For now it’s a rumor. I won’t be spreading rumor for the whole world to see, but I will say that if it’s true it gives me hope for the future. We still sucked this year, but the reason why we sucked makes a little more sense. People on here are asking for some explanation and if what I’ve heard is true the coaches can’t and can never talk about it publicly. That, too, might give some reason why the staff’s comments have been so unsettling to us fans. They can’t tell the truth, they can’t lie and they ultimately sound like they don’t know what they’re talking about. That is… if what I’ve heard is true…

    Anyone else hearing a ridiculous story floating around?? Just say “yes” if so. This site is above airing it publicly.

  25. jmartineau 03/17/2008 at 2:05 PM #

    Ok, well let us know if there is a site who is not above airing it publicly and I’ll monitor it accordingly.

    Regardless of the rumor, I hope it is one that can be overcome readily (i.e., the player is leaving, the coach will resign, etc.).

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