NC State Basketball Lands Inside Expert's Preseason Top 45
After losing four of the top five scorers from the historic 2023-24 NC State basketball team, eighth-year Wolfpack head coach Kevin Keatts and his gang completed a promising reload via the transfer portal and recruiting trail. In doing so, they might have ensured a few votes from the media when the preseason AP Top 25 Poll comes out in late October.
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However, judging by the updated "Rothstein 45" that CBS Sports national college hoops expert Jon Rothstein advertised this week, it seems unlikely that NC State will begin the 2024-25 campaign with a ranking by its name.
Rothstein places the Wolfpack at No. 43 in the country.
UPDATED VERSION of the ROTHSTEIN 45.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) August 28, 2024
TOP 10:
1. Alabama
2. Kansas
3. Houston
4. Baylor
5. Iowa State
6. UConn
7. North Carolina
8. Gonzaga
9. Arkansas
10. Duke
CC: @FDSportsbook, @FanDuelResearch.https://t.co/nH7W39fh1V
He projects a veteran-laden NC State basketball starting five of graduate guard Michael O'Connell, senior guard Jayden Taylor, senior guard/forward Dontrez Styles (transfer from Georgetown), senior forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (transfer from Louisville), and senior forward Ben Middlebrooks.
In Rothstein's rankings, NC State, fresh off an improbable ACC Tournament title and magical journey to the Final Four in Phoenix, sits below a handful of ACC teams: No. 7 UNC, No. 10 Duke, No. 37 Wake Forest, No. 40 Clemson, and No. 41 Miami.
The 2024-25 NC State basketball season officially gets under way on Nov. 4 when Kevin Keatts and his Wolfpack welcome USC Upstate to PNC Arena.
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Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.