NC State Basketball Projected for High NCAA Tournament Seed After Win Over UNC

Wolfpack on track to make first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2004 under new coach Will Wade

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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NC State's 24-point victory over No. 16 UNC on Tuesday night has boosted the Wolfpack's NCAA Tournament projections, with most major bracket predictions placing them as a 7- or 8-seed in the upcoming tournament. This would be NC State's highest postseason seeding since 2004, a significant achievement for new head coach Will Wade in his first season.

Why it matters

NC State has struggled to make the NCAA Tournament in recent years, missing out for the past 22 seasons. Wade's arrival has revitalized the program, and this projected high seed would represent a major turnaround and renewed relevance for the Wolfpack on the national stage.

The details

According to bracketology projections compiled by TheWolfpacker.com, NC State is currently slotted as either a 7- or 8-seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. This would pit them against 10-seed opponents like Ohio State, Texas A&M, or Indiana in the first round, with potential second-round matchups against top seeds like UConn, Michigan, or Arizona.

  • NC State beat No. 16 UNC 24-0 on Tuesday, February 20, 2026.
  • The Wolfpack have four regular season games remaining before the ACC Tournament.
  • Selection Sunday for the 2026 NCAA Tournament is scheduled for March 16, 2026.

The players

Will Wade

The head coach of the NC State Wolfpack, who promised to lead the team to the NCAA Tournament in his first season after being hired.

NC State Wolfpack

The men's basketball team at North Carolina State University, which is projected to earn its first NCAA Tournament bid since 2004 under new head coach Will Wade.

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What they’re saying

“Well, with four games left in the regular season, both of those goals are trending to come true after the Pack's 24-point win over No. 16 UNC on Tuesday night at the Lenovo Center.”

— Will Wade, Head Coach, NC State Wolfpack (on3.com)

What’s next

NC State has four regular season games remaining - at Virginia, at Notre Dame, vs. Duke, and vs. Stanford - before heading to the ACC Tournament in Charlotte. The team is currently projected as the No. 4 seed in the ACC, which would earn them a double-bye to the quarterfinals.

The takeaway

Will Wade's first season as NC State's head coach has been a remarkable turnaround for the Wolfpack, who are poised to earn their first NCAA Tournament bid in over two decades. This projected high seed would represent a significant milestone for the program and validate Wade's bold promises to revive the team's fortunes.