When: Tuesday March 17 – 9:15 PM

Opponent: Texas Longhorns (SEC)

Prediction – KenPom (KP) / Bart Torvik (BT): NC State 83-82 / NC State 83-82

The answer to “how the season has gone” will draw a lot of opinions. Ranging from “Wade hasn’t shown me much”, to “I hate the braggadocio”, to “let LSU have him”, to “he missed on the roster build” all the way to some variation on “the signs are positive, he’s going to be better.” I tend toward the latter. Coach Wade is not going anywhere, I invite you to join me in the ‘half full’ side of the room.

In his introductory press conference, he promised to finish the season in the top half of the league (he did) and to make the NCAA tournament (he did – barely). But I don’t think anyone, starting with Coach Wade himself, feels like we got what we expected from all the noise last Spring. And when you compare his season with that of the other new ACC coaches, UVA’s Odom (NCAAT 3 seed 29-5), Miami’s Lucas (NCAAT 7 seed 25-8) who were outstanding, and FSU’s Loucks finished the season strong (18-15 with the same 10-8 ACC record as NC State), there is a hint of disappointment in the air.

But a little NCAA tournament success could go a long way toward clearing the air and getting the faithful pumped for the future.

“ … we’re not complaining about being in. We’re in the thing. We got a chance and now it’s on us to play better and to play well.” Coach Wade on being in the NCAA tournment, even though it’s the play-in round.

Sean Miller and Will Wade each took the reins at major conference teams this season. There are some similarities in how their first seasons went:

Texas lost to some big name OOC teams this season, including Duke (-15), UVA (-19), and UConn (-8) and beat one, NC State (+5). More on that one below.

Texas shot 60% / 62% / 90% in the first half and had a 15-point lead with under 2 minutes until the half, but the Wolfpack cut it to a 10-point deficit at the half.

The Wolfpack tightened it up in the second half, tying the game a couple of times and holding a 1-point lead once, but the Longhorns shot 52% / 42% / 83% in the second and kept the Pack at arm’s length.

The first half of the NC State Revenge Tour 2026 begins in Dayton Tuesday and caravans to Portland Thursday.

It starts with the Longhorns. The Pack tried playing only offense and just fouling in lieu of defense in the first game. This time they’ll add defense. Darrion Williams and Matt Able are difference makers this time and the Wolfpack wins 80-69.