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Sidney Lowe II could face up to about 23 years in prison after pleading guilty Monday to his role last year in a home invasion and a separate shooting at UNCG.

Defense attorneys began their pitch for a lower sentence late Monday. A forensic psychiatrist testified that Lowe's dependency on marijuana and Ecstasy led him to take part in the robberies and that his sheltered upbringing left him unprepared for college life.

Lowe, son of N.C. State Wolfpack men's basketball coach Sidney Lowe, was a student at N.C. A&T at the time.

Lowe's sentencing is expected to continue at 9:45 a.m. today in Guilford County Superior Court.

Defense attorney Locke Clifford plans to call a family friend and family members to the stand. He would not say if Coach Lowe would be among those asked to testify.

Clifford described the younger Lowe as a "gentle soul who knows nothing of guns and never robbed anyone before." And after attending rehab, Lowe has "returned to his normal self, a humble, shy, God-fearing man," Clifford said.

Lowe, 23, pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to possession of marijuana, possession of Ecstasy, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, and six counts each of robbery with a dangerous weapon and second-degree kidnapping. Most of those charges stem from a March 16, 2007, home invasion.

He also entered an Alford plea on a charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and possession of a weapon on educational property in a March 24, 2007, shooting at UNCG. An Alford plea means he does not admit guilt but acknowledges the state has enough evidence to convict him.

Co-defendant Brian Martin, 20, pleaded guilty Monday to multiple charges related to both incidents.

Those charges include shooting a UNCG student over a marijuana deal while Lowe stayed in the car, according to Assistant District Attorney Stephen Cole.

The two men also were after drugs during the home invasion, victims told officials in revised statements that Cole read in court Monday.

According to those statements, Lowe brandished an assault rifle and alternately threatened and chatted with victims, including a discussion about basketball, Cole said.

He "appeared nervous" and some victims feared Lowe would accidentally shoot someone, Cole said.

In the UNCG shooting, arrest warrants accuse Lowe and Martin of trying to steal money and marijuana from Stephen Cobb, 20, inside Weil Hall. Police said Martin shot Cobb, who later was charged with several drug-related offenses.

Cobb's case is still pending.

Police connected Lowe and Martin to the home invasion after finding stolen items while investigating the UNCG shooting.

Martin's sentencing was delayed to next week because of a scheduling conflict with his attorney. His bond was revoked Monday and he was taken into custody pending sentencing.

Contact Jennifer Fernandez at 373-7064 or jennifer.fernandez@news-record.com