Can Will Wade Bring the Wolfpack Back to Glory?
It was only last season that NC State, as an 11-seed, made the Final Four, reliving the days of Jimmy V. Their improbable run prompted an extension for coach Kevin Keatts and made Raleigh a hot destination for seniors. However, disaster ensued. The program would fall short of expectations, finishing 12-19 and firing Keatts. A major rebrand was inevitable. Enter McNeese State coach Will Wade, a controversial yet rising star of a coach who was brought in to amend last season’s mistakes and bring the Wolfpack back to glory.
Will Wade has made his rounds around the college basketball world. He’s been a Head Coach since 2013, beginning with the Chattanooga Mocs before stints at VCU and LSU. In 2022, Wade would lose his opportunity to coach at a Power Five level, with the NCAA detailing several recruiting misconducts and violations. After his firing, Wade would coach at McNeese State, bringing them back-to-back tournaments before being poached by NC State.
With the firing of Keatts and the addition of Wade, NC State lost several key pieces such as Marcus Hill, Ben Middlebrooks, and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield. However, this was addition by subtraction. Most traces of NC State’s poor season are gone, with the only remnant being the promising freshman Paul McNeil. McNeil was a four-star recruit out of high school, known for his athletic prowess and smooth offensive skillset. He was productive in his limited minutes this past season, with a PER of 22.7, while showing glimpses of creativity, finishing, and ball handling. His natural length and feel give Wade a solid building block on the wing to work with. However, with an exodus in Raleigh, Wade needed an entirely new roster.
Wade brought in two significant contributors from McNeese State to ease his transition: Quadir Copeland and Alyn Breed. Copeland is no stranger to ACC play, coming off the bench for the Syracuse Orange for two seasons. The guard plays with a confident flare, relentlessly attacking the rim with a deep bag of dribble moves. Breed showed promise under Wade, averaging 17.5 points in his two games before a season-ending knee injury.
In addition to Wade’s talent, he’s brought in a plethora of proven players. When healthy, Terrance Arceneaux was a source of consistent production for Houston, playing valuable minutes in their National Championship run. He’s an athletic, multipositional defender who thrives in off-ball actions as a slasher. Jerry Deng was a highly coveted prospect this portal season due to his combination of size and shooting. He struggled to put the ball on the floor at Florida State, but he’ll have a more defined role for Wade as an off-ball spot-up shooter. Tre Holloman was NC State’s marquee signing. The guard emerged as Michigan State’s glue guy, playing with an unmatched intensity. He’s displayed a great feel for the game, coming up clutch in big minutes as a shooter and defender. How he’ll adjust to a larger role remains a question, but if Holloman can handle the increased playmaking load and maintain his efficiency, he has the chance to emerge as the heartbeat of this retooled NC State backcourt.
Wade has also brought in young talent to provide insurance for the future. Matt Able is a five-star shooting guard that’s displayed an ability to score off the bounce and shoot the rock. Big man Paul Mbiya may be testing the NBA draft waters, however is expected to suit up for NC State. Mbiya is behemoth in the middle, boasting raw athleticism, a strong physical frame, and valuable professional experience overseas.
