You ever have that friend who buys a flashy new sports car but can't quite figure out how to drive stick? That's basically the vibe around Raleigh right now. The 2025-26 season was supposed to be the "clean slate" year. Out with Kevin Keatts, in with the controversial but undeniably effective Will Wade. The fan base was ready for a rocket ship to the top of the ACC. Instead, the recent n c state basketball news has felt more like a bumpy ride through a construction zone.
Honestly, it’s frustrating. One night, the Pack looks like they could drop 100 on anyone in the country. The next? They’re dropping a "dud" at the Lenovo Center to a Georgia Tech team that was 1-4 in the conference before showing up to Raleigh on January 17th. That 78-74 loss to the Yellow Jackets didn't just hurt the standings; it felt like a cold bucket of water on the hype.
The Will Wade Reality Check
Look, we all knew hiring Will Wade wouldn't be quiet. He brings a specific brand of "strong-ass" intensity that NC State fans craved after the Keatts era fizzled out. But the transition hasn't been seamless. After a brutal 12-19 season last year, the expectations were reset. Wade didn't waste time, hitting the transfer portal like a man possessed. He brought in guys like Darrion Williams from Texas Tech and Quadir Copeland from McNeese.
And for a while, it worked. The offense has been humming at a clip we haven't seen in years. As of mid-January, State is averaging about 86.5 points per game. That’s top-30 in the nation. They’re shooting the lights out from deep, hitting over 40% as a team. When you have Paul McNeil Jr. and Darrion Williams both averaging over 14 points, you’d think this team would be a lock for the Top 25.
But then there's the defense. Or the lack of it.
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Wade himself admitted after the Georgia Tech loss that this isn't a "rocket ship" team. It's a squad that lives and dies by the jump shot. When the shots aren't falling, they don't seem to have a Plan B. The defensive efficiency is sitting around 100th in the country, which is fine if you're playing mid-majors, but it’s a death sentence when Duke and Virginia come to town. Speaking of Virginia, that 76-61 loss on January 3rd was a masterclass in how to dismantle State’s high-octane offense. Tony Bennett basically put the Pack in a blender.
Injury Woes and the "Next Man Up" Myth
It’s easy to point at the stats, but injuries are starting to pile up. Senior center Scottie Ebube has been sidelined, missing the Georgia Tech game. When you lose 6'10" and 280 pounds of muscle in the paint, your rim protection goes out the window. Jordan Snell has also been out, thinning a backcourt that already feels like it’s playing on tired legs.
We did get some "good" n c state basketball news recently with Tre Holloman being cleared to play. He’s been the spark plug off the bench, shooting a team-high 43.5% from the floor. But he can't do it alone. The rotation is getting shorter, and in the ACC, that usually leads to a February collapse.
Recruiting: The 2026 and 2027 Horizon
If you want to feel better about the program, you have to look at the trail Will Wade is blazing on the recruiting path. The guy is a shark. He’s already secured commitments for the 2026 class from Cam Coler (a four-star small forward) and Trevon Carter-Givens.
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The biggest name on the radar right now? Miikka Muurinen.
He’s a 6'10" four-star power forward from Finland who is currently playing pro ball in Serbia for KK Partizan. NC State is reportedly in his final five or six schools, battling it out with heavyweights like Kentucky, Arkansas, and—of course—Duke. Landing a guy like Muurinen would be the ultimate "we’re back" statement.
And don't even get me started on the 2027 class. Wade just extended an offer to Mekhi Robertson, a top-60 guard out of California. The strategy is clear: Wade isn't just trying to win now; he’s trying to build a talent factory that rivals the blue bloods down the road.
What the Bracketologists are Saying
Despite the Georgia Tech letdown, the "nerd stats" still like the Pack. Joe Lunardi and the ESPN Bracketology crew still have State as a projected tournament team. The NET rankings haven't tanked completely because of those blowout wins against Florida State (113-69!) and Boston College.
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But let's be real: the margin for error is gone.
The upcoming schedule is a gauntlet. Clemson, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Wake Forest are all looming. If State goes 2-2 in that stretch, they're fine. If they go 1-3? The "Will Wade Era" honeymoon is officially over. Fans in Raleigh are patient, but only to a point. They’ve seen enough "almost" years to last a lifetime.
The Verdict on NC State Right Now
Is the sky falling? No. But it’s definitely cloudy. This team has the offensive firepower to beat anyone, but they lack the grit to win ugly. To stay relevant in the n c state basketball news cycle for the right reasons, they have to find a way to stop teams from living in the paint.
Quadir Copeland has been a revelation as a playmaker, dishing out over 6 assists a game, but he’s also had some "dejected" moments in post-game pressers. You can see the frustration. They know they're better than a .600 winning percentage.
What to Watch For Next:
- Monitor the injury report for Scottie Ebube; the Pack desperately needs his size back for the Clemson matchup.
- Keep an eye on the Miikka Muurinen recruitment—his decision could shift the trajectory of the 2026 class overnight.
- Watch the first 10 minutes of the Pittsburgh game. If State doesn't come out with defensive intensity, it’s going to be a long night.
- Focus on Paul McNeil Jr.’s volume. When he takes 15+ shots, State tends to win. When he disappears, the offense stagnates.
The talent is there. The coaching is... intense. Now, they just need to prove they can handle the grind of the ACC without the wheels falling off.