The Wolfpack had high hopes for the 2008 season, but NCST couldn't put things together and suffered a last place ACC finish. Brandon Costner and Ben McCauley combined saw a scoring drop of almost 50 percent after averaging 31 ppg in 2007. Prized recruit J.J. Hickson excelled, but didn't really fit in.
Hickson is gone, as well as second leading scorer Gavin Grant, so scoring options are few and far between.
After running Herb Sendak out of town only team to see him succeed out west at Arizona State, NCST probably won't be as quick to pull the trigger on Lowe.
7. Mike Anderson, Missouri
Mike Anderson's brand of basketball is supposed to be exciting and high tempo, but after two straight seasons of losing in the Big 12, Anderson needs to make his team win, not exciting.
After dealing with fireworks off the court, Anderson must stay competitive throughout the Big 12 slate.
Anderson returns several key players including Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Demarre Carroll. If Anderson can't take Missouri to at least the NIT, he could be taking his up tempo style of play to another school.
8. Mark Gottfried, Alabama
It's pretty simple: go to the NCAA Tournament and keep your job. Two straight disappointing seasons have lead to Mark Gottfried's demise in Tuscaloosa.
The Crimson Tide has the parts to be an NCAA Tournament team, but it'll be Mark Gottfried's job to get forward Alonzo Gee to mesh with newcomer JaMychal Green and red-shirted guard Ronald Steele.
9. Ed DeChellis, Penn State
Every Penn State coach faces one major problem: how do you recruit star players to a school that lacks basketball tradition, plays in the Big 10, but is located in Big East country?
Current PSU coach Ed DeChellis hasn't really figured out a solution to that problem.
During the past few years, Penn State looked like it was on the verge of finally making that last step toward gaining and NCAA Tournament berth, but injuries and under performance have led to several more unsuccessful seasons.
DeChellis has never had a winning record as the Nittany Lions head coach nor does he have a postseason win. If he can't get PSU to at least the NIT this year, DeChellis is as good as gone.
10. Leonard Hamilton, FSU
Florida State has had the talent to reach the NCAA Tournament during the past few years. Al Thornton turned a great career as a Seminole into a budding NBA career; three players from last year's team who were double-digit scores are also gone, each without playing a single game in the NCAA Tournament.
Hamilton will be forced to rebuild in 2009, but if the Seminoles don't show the ability to be success in the near future, Hamilton could be looking into selling his house in Tallahassee
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