North Carolina State Wolfpack Basketball Tickets

The North Carolina Wolfpack had a very rough start to the 2006 season but improved with time, ending the year on a positive note by stringing together a couple of winning streaks.

N.C. State rode some late season momentum into the ACC Tournament, needing to win the championship to have any chance of making the NCAA Tournament. The Wolfpack played great, winning three games before bowing out in the ACC championship game.

N.C. State did not make the NCAA Tournament but did play in the N.I.T., making it all the way to the semifinals before losing to eventual champion West Virginia.

Former head coach Herb Sendek enjoyed mild success with the Wolfpack, taking them to the NCAA Tournament a number of times. However, the fan base became tired of watching the Princeton offense, feeling the team's style of play was boring.

Feeling constant pressure from the fan base as well as underappreciated, Sendek left to take over at Arizona State. The Wolfpack went after a number of high profile coaches but failed to land any, eventually settling on former player Sydney Lowe.

Lowe certainly wasn't the big name the school was hoping to land, but substance is usually more important than style. Lowe had both in 2006, helping the team improve drastically throughout the season while donning a red jacket for most games.

Things look good for the upcoming season, with the only notable loss being senior point guard Engin Atsur. Brandon Costner and Ben McCauley should form a very formidable tandem in the paint area on both the offensive and defensive ends.

The Wolfpack would love to see Gavin Grant step his game this season. Grant is clearly a talented player but doesn't always make smart decisions and has become one of the more frustrating players on the team. He shows flashes of what he could be now and again, but N.C. State needs more consistency from him.

N.C. State is definitely a team to keep an eye on in 2007. If things break right, the Wolfpack could be in the middle of the pack in the ACC and may make a return to the NCAA Tournament.