It's been one month since the Wolfpack began reshaping its roster, and the early returns are a mixed bag. Let's break down where NC State stands and what it means for the season ahead.
Transfer Portal Rankings: A Step Back?
According to 247Sports transfer rankings (as of early May), NC State sits at No. 27 nationally. That ranking only accounts for six transfers, excluding key pieces like Whitty, McNeil, and Wilkins. For context, that puts the Wolfpack behind ACC rivals Louisville (No. 1), Miami (No. 5), UNC (No. 6), and Duke (No. 11). It also raises an eyebrow: how is Tennessee dominating at No. 2 without ace recruiter Justin Gainey? Last season, NC State finished No. 14 on this same scale—so this year's ranking represents a notable dip.
Analyst Evan Miya is even less generous, slotting NC State at No. 33 overall and 7th in the ACC. That puts them behind Louisville (No. 1), Miami (No. 3), Duke (No. 12), UNC (No. 20), Pitt (No. 25), and FSU (No. 26). Compare that to last season, when the Wolfpack ranked 4th nationally and 1st in the ACC on Miya's scale. The drop-off is clear, but context matters.
Staff Upgrades: A New Era on the Bench
One area where NC State has clearly leveled up is the coaching staff. Coach Gainey went all-in on Power 4 experience, hiring three assistants from the SEC (Brooks, Goins, Collins) and two from the Big 12 (Driscoll, Comar). These are coaches who've battled against elite programs night after night. The salary numbers tell the story: last season, the top two assistant salaries were Howard at $350k and Chambers/Hamilton at $250k. This season? Coach Brooks pulls in $500k, and Coach Driscoll earns $450k. That's a serious investment in sideline leadership.
Player Profile: A Different Kind of Roster
Last season's Wolfpack was built for March—five starters were seniors, most came from high-major conferences, and many had NCAA tournament experience. One writer even called it "a team built for the postseason." (Spoiler: that take aged poorly.) This year's roster feels like a complete pivot.
Mid-Major Focus
Five of the six incoming transfers hail from mid-major programs. The sixth comes from Maryland, which finished 12-21 (4-16 in the Big Ten) last season—effectively a mid-major in Power 4 clothing. It's a clear shift in recruiting philosophy, targeting players who've been overlooked but hungry to prove themselves.
Tournament Experience: Limited, but Present
The top three transfers—Edmead, Hammond, and Evans—all played in the postseason, as did McNeil. However, Evans' experience came in the NIT, and all three lost in their first game. That's a far cry from the deep NCAA runs that defined last year's roster on paper.
What About 3-Point Shooting?
One area that will be crucial to monitor is perimeter shooting. A roster built largely from mid-majors often brings different offensive dynamics. The Wolfpack will need to find consistent outside threats to keep defenses honest in ACC play.
The Bottom Line
This Wolfpack team is a work in progress—no doubt about it. The talent might not jump off the page like last season's squad, but the coaching upgrades and a roster full of players with chips on their shoulders could create a different kind of chemistry. For fans, the next few months will reveal whether this rebuild is a step forward or a step back. Either way, it's going to be an interesting ride.