Will Wade describes what to expect from NC State basketball in 2025-26
Prior to N.C. State basketball’s first official practice, Wolfpack coach Will Wade provided a preview of his team ahead of the 2025-26 season.
RALEIGH — N.C. State men’s basketball coach Will Wade has spread the same message since his introductory press conference at Reynolds Coliseum in late March.
With the promise of a reload rather than a rebuild, Wade has the Wolfpack in win-now mode and ready to bring a “red reckoning” to the ACC and the rest of the college hoops world.
Asked about the “red reckoning,” which seems to be N.C. State’s most popular hashtag on social media accounts in the months leading up to the 2025-26 season, the 42-year-old coach didn’t disappoint in sticking to the Pack’s script.
“I think the red reckoning is that: this is about everybody being in it together. And I think when all of us are in it together, NC State’s a force multiplier,” Wade said during a 40-minute press conference inside the Dail Basketball Center ahead of the Wolfpack’s first official practice on Sept. 22.
“When I mean ‘in it together,’ it starts with our administration — they’re all in, they want to win. Then it goes to our players and our staff — we’re all in, we want to win. Then it goes to our fans — they’re all in, they’ve been all in, they want to win.
All of us together are a force. You know, we’re NC State, we’re red. Blood’s red, right? Not blue — blood’s red. So red, and then it’s going to be a reckoning for the ACC and for college basketball. You’re gonna have to deal with us. You haven’t had to deal with this, because we haven’t always been on the same page.”
Following a 12-19 record in a season that saw N.C. State go from winning the ACC Tournament to missing it, Wade has just two returners to surround 13 newcomers, including one of the top transfer portal classes in the nation. The key, Wade says, is consistency.
“We have everything that we need. If it don’t get done, that’s on me. I got everything I need. I ain’t complaining about nothing,” Wade said. “We had the NIL backing that we need, we have the rev share backing that we need, we’ve got the staff that we need. It’s on us to deliver, on me to deliver. We’re gonna deliver.”
Wade added the program is “almost at 10,000 season tickets” and N.C. State announced Sept. 23 that its home opener against North Carolina Central on Nov. 3 at Lenovo Center is a sellout.
NC State basketball practice video, highlights with Will Wade
N.C. State basketball started official practice on Sept. 22. Here’s video highlights from the Wolfpack’s first practice with Will Wade.
“People are gonna have to deal with us. And people are gonna have to deal with this a lot sooner than they think, because our team’s a little bit better than I thought,” Wade said.
“We’ve got a damn good team, all right? And so people are gonna have to deal with us here real quick. They’re gonna see when we’re all aligned and we’re all as one and we’re all moving in the same direction — you better get the hell out of the way.”
Darrion Williams, NC State basketball players describe ‘red reckoning’
Wade’s arrival and work in revamping N.C. State’s roster has created a national buzz around the program, which is projected by some outlets to start the season as a top-25 squad capable of competing atop the ACC.
That’s the plan for a group that includes sophomore returner Paul McNeil, along with key additions in Texas Tech transfer Darrion Williams, Michigan State transfer Tre Holloman, Houston transfer Terrance Arceneaux, McNeese transfer Quadir Copeland and highly-touted freshman Matt Able.
When asked to describe the “red reckoning” wave for the Wolfpack, Holloman smiled, saying it means “chaos,” “winning” and N.C. State “coming to take over” the ACC and beyond.
“We’re coming here to win,” Williams said. “It’s not a rebuild. (Wade’s) not waiting until year three or four to win. We’re trying to win now, we’re gonna win now.”
Able, who could end up being one of the top freshmen in the nation, says “it’s a mentality the whole team has” shown throughout the offseason in the approach to turning things around right away.
“I think it goes through every single guy. I think it’s just one of those things where we’re not gonna be complacent with just doing all right,” Able said. “I think we want to do great things and I think we have the capability to.”
McNeil, the only scholarship player on the roster who was on last season’s team, has seen significant change since Wade’s arrival in Raleigh.
“Wade’s different. The whole identity different. Everything different,” McNeil said. “We’re coming in and taking over everything. … We’re not playing no games.”
Copeland, the likely emotional leader of the Wolfpack as a player who knows what Wade is all about on and off the court, is ready to bring that swagger and confidence in red and white.
“It just means we’re gonna be a force,” Copeland said of the “red reckoning” mantra.
“We’re not coming in here, we’re not throwing the second and third punch. We’re not trying to see or feel nothing out, we’re coming in here blazing, throwing the first two to three punches, ready to fight, ready to win games.”
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.