NC State Basketball: Media Sets Bar Notably Low for ACC Champs
In the eyes of the national and ACC media alike, it seems few expect eighth-year NC State basketball head coach Kevin Keatts to extend the program's 2023-24 magic to the 2024-25 squad.
ALSO READ: AP Voters Snub NC State in Preseason Rankings
On Monday, the Wolfpack received zero votes in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll.
And on Tuesday evening, despite the Wolfpack's standing as the defending ACC Tournament champions and the only school from the conference to reach the 2024 Final Four, NC State checks in at No. 8 on the ACC preseason predicted order of finish. Keatts' team sits below Pitt, Miami, Virginia, Clemson, Wake Forest, UNC, and No. 1 Duke.
ACC Men's Basketball Preseason Predicted Order of Finish for the 2024-2025 season.
— ACC Men's Basketball (@accmbb) October 15, 2024
🔗 https://t.co/eeqt3A16xE pic.twitter.com/EQIwU35E1H
NC State basketball returns three players who were part of the regular rotation for all 41 Wolfpack games last season and have experience as starters in graduate guard Michael O'Connell, senior guard Jayden Taylor, and senior forward Ben Middlebrooks.
Nevertheless, no Wolfpack players landed on Preseason All-ACC First Team or Second Team.
The 2024-25 NC State basketball regular season tips off at 7 p.m. ET on Nov. 4 (ACC Network Extra) when the squad welcomes USC Upstate to the Lenovo Center. First, though, Keatts' bunch welcomes Division II Lees-McRae to Raleigh for an exhibition outing at 7 p.m. ET on Oct. 30 (no TV).
ALSO READ: NC State Star Set to Face Duke in Head Coaching Debut
Stay tuned to NC State Wolfpack On SI for more on the 2024-25 Wolfpack and other NC State basketball news.
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.