CHAPEL HILL — Coach Sidney Lowe did not rejoin his team on the court for the second half of Wednesday night’s game against UNC-Chapel Hill; he was taken to UNC Hospitals to treat dehydration, according to Assistant Athletics Director for Media Relations Annabelle Myers. Associate head coach Monte Towe coached N.C. State in the second half.
According to Myers, Lowe had not been feeling well all day, and at halftime, he decided to go to the hospital based on the recommendation of team doctor Bob Wyker. Wyker was unavailable for comment after the game. Myers also said Lowe did not collapse or pass out after the first half.
Junior forward Gavin Grant said Lowe did not address the team at halftime; instead, Towe met with the team, encouraged the players and told them Lowe would be fine.
Towe said the flu was “going around” the team, and he hoped the condition was nothing more serious.
“During the course of the first half, he seemed like he was doing OK, but at halftime, he wasn’t doing good at all,” Towe said. “We all hope and pray that he’s back out there tomorrow.”
Towe also said Lowe wanted to come back out onto the court for the second half, but Wyker’s recommendation stood.
“The word was he wanted to come back out onto the floor, but the medical people didn’t think it was a good idea for him to do that,” Towe said. “The medical attention he was getting was really good and proper.”
Carolina coach Roy Williams said he spoke with Lowe’s wife, Melonie, who said Lowe was feeling better.
Grant said after the game that he felt his coach’s absence had an effect on the team.
“We were just jacking up crazy shots — pull-up threes, pull-up this, pull-up that,” Grant said. “We didn’t have anyone to turn to after coach Lowe left us. We looked like we were playing a pickup game against an organized basketball team.”
Towe agreed with the junior forward.
“They were affected,” Towe said. “I’ve had one other situation in my career like that, and I’m sorry to say it was about the same result. To lose your head coach during the middle of the game is kind of unique.”