Will Be Good Fit

Image by PackMensBball

Tobacco Road is clogged. Finding space amongst the giants can be difficult. In basketball, the battle of the Blue's has always taken center stage. That third leg to the Triangle has often seemed like the 'Red'-headed stepchild.

I'm feeling a tidal shift.

On opening night of the 25'-26' college basketball season, two of the Triangle teams were in action. NC State, the aforementioned program that can seem late to the party, gave new coach Will Wade his first victory for the Pack, 114-66. It was against NC Central and it was simply the first game of the season. But it's all the OTHER things that lead me to believe that the Wolfpack have a coach that WILL compete.

The reality is that UNC and Duke are the more prominent brands of the three. As much as State fans hurl insults at the other two schools in their pain, it doesn't change the truth. What it does set up, is a scenario where the Pack can embody the "rag-tag" image and just be who they are. Surprise people. Be loose and free. That's what I feel from their new coach.

Wade seems to be someone that really doesn't care how others view him. With his twang accent and slick smile, he'll tell you what he wants. Then he comes out swinging.

Top 15 ranked classes in both the transfer portal and recruiting were the start.

Last night, he opened the season by bringing the vintage Noise Meter from Reynolds Coliseum (seen above) with him to the Lenovo Center.

It was the first time that Lenovo was sold out for a State basketball game since they opened that arena in '99.

The Wolfpack donned throwback uniforms.

Wade, was amped up!

With Darrion Williams, Tre Holloman, Quadir Copeland, and Matt Able -- they're going to be in games. They'll have a chance against every team on their schedule. That includes the one time each, they play those Tobacco Rd neighbors. I think that their new coach, with his free-willing demeanor, can lead to more wins in those than losses.

With his team leading by 50+ points, Wade still picked up a technical late in the game!

Want a glimpse into how coach Wade is approaching things with his team:

“We got good shooters. We’re going to let that thing fly. If they’re open, man, we don’t want any hesitation. Let it fly.”

Fair to say that his message is getting through since the Wolfpack had 19 three pointers -- A school record.

While everyone around college basketball will continue to play comparisons, even me by mentioning the three in this column, I know Wade will do something different with this team because of who he is.

"I think part of our problem at NC State is we focus so much on those guys. We need to focus on ourselves. We gotta get our sh*t in order first."