NCAA Bracket 2011: Does N.C. State Missing Out Mean Sidney Lowe's End?

N.C. State gave a weak showing in their final appearance of the season, losing to a weak Maryland team, 75-67, in the opening round of the ACC Tournament. It quickly dashed the last hope of an NCAA tournament bid for the Wolfpack, who have struggled all season in conference play, only accumulating five conference wins in a relatively weak Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Wolfpack had no notable wins to speak of this season, defeating only two tournament teams, Clemson and George Mason.

The program will likely be headed in a new direction next season, as all indications are that head coach Sidney Lowe’s contract will be terminated. In interviews, Lowe has seemed resigned to the fact that he will no longer be with the team next season.

N.C. State will owe Lowe about $950,000 over the next two years, as his contract, structured by now former Wolfpack Athletic Director Lee Fowler, ran through 2013. Lowe will meet with current Athletic Director Debbie Yow to discuss his future.

Lowe has failed to make the NCAA Tournament in his five seasons as N.C. State’s head coach. The best conference record he posted was a dismal 6-10 in 2008-2009. Lowe’s stint came after previous head coach Herb Sendek had coached the Wolfpack to five straight NCAA Tournament berths from 2002 until 2006 when he was dismissed.

The Wolfpack will head in a new direction with a new coach shortly after Lowe is dismissed. The only question is who N.C. State will find to fill that vacancy.