NC State recruit takes Sidney Lowe's back

Herb Sendek didn't have a bad run as the head coach at NC State. In his last* five years at the Raleigh, NC, school, he didn't miss an NCAA Tournament.

(*When first posted, we omitted the word "last" which, admittedly, completely changes the lede. State Fans Nation really took us to task. Those damn BIAH copy editors... Someone got fired today.)

But he wasn't competing for Final Fours and conference titles like his tobacco road counterparts Roy Williams and Coach K, which led to a unhappy fanbase and, eventually, a new job at Arizona State.

Brought in to replace Sendek is Sidney Lowe, who has been, well, pretty bad. In three seasons, Lowe has all of one NIT appearance and no finishes above 10th in the ACC, a fact that won't change this season. As a result, there has been quite a bit of speculation regarding Lowe's job security.

Last week, NC State officials gave Lowe a vote of confidence, in large part because of the loaded recruiting class he is bringing in next season. Ryan Harrow, Lorenzo Brown, and Luke Cothran can all be found in the top 50 of most recruiting sites.

He is also still in the running for McDonald's all-american CJ Leslie, a Raleigh native and potential program-changing talent.

But more impressive than the class Lowe is bringing in is the how loyal these players already are to him.

Case in point: Ryan Harrow. Harrow has yet to even graduate from high school, but he still wrote the following letter to the folks on, NC State's scout-affiliated site:

Coach Lowe believed in me when a lot of coaches thought I didn't have what it takes. Sad on those coaches behalf haha. Now I am what I am and I'm sticking beside Coach Lowe because of the loyalty he showed me. I feel if a person treats you with that much respect and has that much faith, then I must show that same courtesy back.

Myself and Lorenzo are on NC State's blogs and forums everyday and we look to see all the support you give us, but now a days we see so much negative and it has become really discomforting to my godbrother and I. The things that are said about the fans giving up and not wanting to show the support like I know ya'll can. I was at the Duke game. Our fans can get crazy lol. Those statements matter to me. I came to the school at first solely for Coach Lowe but when I come to see games and people are greeting me, saying " thank you so much for joining us", it made me realize I love the atmosphere to. These fans can get better. I hate going on the forums reading those things.

Also Lorenzo and I see the statements about coach Lowe and it really makes me think, " what am I getting myself into". Coach Lowe works hard and is very passionate about the game. He just needs people and players around him like Lorenzo, Luke, C.J., and me to transpire that fire onto the court. Every bad game we cannot criticize coach Lowe. It comes down to the players performing on the court. I know Coach Lowe is going to help my game and make me the best point guard I can be. But it will come in time.

The 2010 class will be a great one, especially adding to the players that's already at the school. We will get better as the year goes on. But ya'll have to remember, even though I think myself and Lorenzo are two of the best guards out there in the nation, we are coming into a new experience so we have to learn a little first. So if we don't get the results ya'll want right away, plz don't give up on supporting the team and don't say we need to fire the coach. We are going to be a great team and one of the best teams to come through NC State. It just takes time. I hope Lorenzo and I have not offended anybody and would hope that ya'll understand where we are coming from. My family and Lorenzo's family are Wolfpack until we die now, but we need support and comfort. Thank you and Go STATE!

Its impressive that Coach Lowe has built that good of a relationship with a couple of his recruits, especially considering where they are rated nationally.

Its even more impressive that these two kids were able to get through to the most fickle of fans -- those that post on message boards.

Talented players and good kids.

Things may be looking up for the Wolfpack.