 Sidney Lowe was named head coach in May 2006 after a month-long search that included such targets as Rick Barnes, John Beilein, John Calipari, and Steve Lavin.Lowe's first season got off to a good start as the Wolfpack won its first five games.State's first three ACC contests were losses, however, and the team finished the regular season at 15–14, tenth place in the ACC at 5–11.