NC State Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Wolfpack

By Brian Rauf | Oct 15, 2018

WICHITA, KS - MARCH 15: Head coach Kevin Keatts of the North Carolina State Wolfpack calls out instructions in the first half against the Seton Hall Pirates during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

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WICHITA, KS – MARCH 15: Markell Johnson #11 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack attempts a shot in the second half against the Seton Hall Pirates during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

NC State Basketball overachieved in Kevin Keatts’ first season, reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years. Will the Pack make it back?

NC State basketball is often overlooked and overshadowed by area rivals Duke and UNC, but head coach Kevin Keatts has brought needed life to the program.

Last year was an unexpected success. Following two straight losing seasons and the departure of star Dennis Smith Jr. (who got the school wrapped up in the FBI investigation), the Wolfpack won 21 games, went 11-7 in ACC play, and returned to the NCAA Tournament.

Yet expectations are tempered for NC State in 2018-19. Only three key players return and as many as nine newcomers could see time in the rotation. But Keatts, who’s from the Rick Pitino coaching tree, is excited about this team’s potential.

Keatts wants to play fast and press on defense (in typical Pitino fashion), and doing so requires depth. NC State didn’t have that last year. They do now, and Keatt stressed at ACC Media Day that this group is going to play fast.

"“I know we played fast but I want to play faster with this team. We didn’t get a chance to utilize all of our presses. I would love to press some more, mix it up a little bit more.”"

This new identity worked well for the Pack last season and, with a roster more suited for that style of play, it’s very easy to think this group could overachieve for a second-straight year. Kevin Keatts is a winner, after all.

What does the season have in store for NC State? Here’s a full season preview, including a look at the projected rotation and a breakdown of their non-conference schedule.

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