NC State Basketball Suddenly Appears in One Projected Top 25
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One day after popping up in Jon Rothstein's ROTHSTEIN 45, albeit at No. 45, the first NC State basketball collection under Will Wade's command made a somewhat surprising debut appearance at No. 25 in On3 national analyst Jamie Shaw's projected top 25 released on Tuesday morning.
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The Wolfpack stacks up at No. 4 among ACC teams in Shaw's eyes, checking in only two notches below its archrival in No. 23 UNC. The top two from the conference are No. 8 Louisville and No. 11 Duke.
NEW: Way-Too-Early College Basketball Top 25 per @JamieShaw5🏀
— On3 (@On3sports) May 6, 2025
Do you agree? 🤔https://t.co/fTsvfHzvYf pic.twitter.com/Svome2K85R
As things stand, the 2025-26 NC State basketball roster consists of three incoming freshmen who comprise the No. 35-ranked 2025 recruiting haul on 247Sports, a six-deep transfer haul ranking No. 36 in the country, and just one returning scholarship player from the 2024-25 Wolfpack in rising sophomore guard and former four-star prep Paul McNeil.
Given the sudden top 25 projection for Wade & Co.'s debut in Raleigh, it's worth noting the program hasn't begun a season in the AP Top 25 Poll since appearing at No. 6 ahead of Mark Gottfried's second campaign at the helm in 2012-13.
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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.
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