2006 NC State Wolfpack Basketball Preview

2006 NC State Wolfpack Basketball Predictions

There’s a lot of work to do on this team and first year coach Sidney Lowe will certainly do his best to create a competitive team. Although the Pack made it to the tournament for the fifth year in a row, fans were unhappy with their second round exit and the fact that the last time NC State won the ACC title was 1987. Head coach Herb Sendek had enough and left for Arizona State after a decade with NC State.

In the backcourt, the State is relatively thin and will give senior Engin Atsur (10.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.4 APG, 44.4 FG%, 78.1 FT%) a chance to start at point. At shooting guard, State has some depth, with junior Gavin Grant (8.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, 45.2 FG%, 74.6 FT%) showing shooting strength and sophomore Courtney Fells (2.0 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 0.2 APG, 35.1 FG%, 42.9 FT%) looking like a possible scoring threat.

Ben McCauley (2.1 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 0.4 APG, 45.9 FG%, 67.7 FT%) will step up in his second year at power forward. Andrew Brackman (7.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 0.9 APG, 50.6 FG%, 74.4 FT%) will try to improve on a disappointing sophomore season and red shirted Brandon Costner looks to prove himself. With center Cedric Simmons (11.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.5 BPG) declaring early for the NBA draft, the team lost an essential scoring, rebounding and blocking force. Replacing him will be tough. Look for Grant Gavin to swing up at times and the other forwards to try to cover too.

Sidney Lowe returns to coach his alma mater after working as a player and coach in the NBA for 2 decades. Lowe played point guard for the Wolfpacks’ 1983 National Championship team, and he wants to restore that glory. Although a winner in the NBA, he’ll have to adapt, having never coached college ball. Can passion and professional experience result in a national championship? Not overnight.

This team is definitely a work in progress. If they had not lost Simmons, this team would certainly have a brighter immediate future.

If you want more info on the 2006 NC State Wolfpack College basketball team check out the NCAA's official basketball team page of the program or check out some rival previews from Maddux Sports of schools like the North Carolina Tar Heels and Clemson Tigers.