NC State Media Day

The ring is back on Sidney Lowe's right hand. It's the National Championship ring that Lowe earned as the Pack's point guard in 1983. He didn't wear it last year and people kept asking why. "Now it's time, " said NC State's second year coach.

The Wolfpack was one win away from an ACC championship ring last year....highly unexpected but things are different going into this season. NC State has gone from hoping to have a good season to expecting to. As long as they find a point guard, the Pack should be in the upper echelon of the ACC.

Sidney Lowe said right now he plans to have an 8-10 man rotation. "But I don't determine that. They do." The Pack's depth will especially be felt in the post. "I like our bigs," said Lowe. No longer will Ben McCauley have to beat and bang himself to a pulp and wear down at the end of games.

Brandon Costner can lend a hand. So can freshmen Tracy Smith and JJ Hickson. Lowe said one of the things that has stood out about Hickson since he arrived on campus is his work ethic. State has had NCAA allowed workouts at 3:30 in the afternoon. That was Hickson's second workout of the day. He had already been in the gym at 6 that morning. "Coach gave me a key," Hickson quipped.

Gavin Grant thinks this will be the best State team he's been a part of. So much so that the senior told Hickson he doesn't want to lose any more than 4 games this year. That's just what Pack fans would love to experience. This is a Sweet 16 team as long as they work as hard as they did a year ago.