NC State Coach Expresses Displeasure Over First Four Matchup

Wolfpack head coach Will Wade critical of team's late-season slide that led to Dayton play-in game

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:23pm

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Ahead of NC State's First Four matchup against Texas, Wolfpack head coach Will Wade expressed his displeasure with his team being placed in the play-in game in Dayton. Wade acknowledged that the team's poor finish to the regular season, including losses to Georgia Tech and Notre Dame, led to their First Four appearance despite being well in the field of 64 just a month ago.

Why it matters

NC State's late-season collapse has raised questions about the team's tournament readiness, with Wade openly criticizing the decision to send the Wolfpack to the First Four. The play-in game represents an added challenge for a team that was once firmly in the NCAA Tournament field.

The details

The Wolfpack finished the regular season 18-13 overall and 9-11 in ACC play, losing six of their final seven games. Two of those losses came against sub-.500 teams Georgia Tech and Notre Dame, severely damaging NC State's tournament resume. Following Selection Sunday, Wade told reporters he was "shocked" the team ended up in the First Four, though he acknowledged they "did it to ourselves" with their poor finish.

  • NC State was 18-7 and well in the NCAA Tournament field about a month ago.
  • The Wolfpack then lost six of their final seven regular season games.
  • NC State went 1-1 in the ACC Tournament, beating Pitt before losing to Virginia.
  • The Wolfpack will face Texas in the First Four on March 17, 2026 at 9:15 pm ET.

The players

Will Wade

The head coach of the NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team.

Texas

The opponent for NC State in the First Four matchup.

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What they’re saying

“I'm shocked about going to Dayton, but we did it to ourselves. I told the guys there's no victims in the room. If we didn't want to be in Dayton, we should have beat Stanford or Notre Dame.”

— Will Wade, NC State Head Coach (247 Sports)

What’s next

The winner of the NC State-Texas First Four matchup will advance to face the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

NC State's late-season collapse has put them in a precarious position, having to win a play-in game just to reach the main NCAA Tournament field. Coach Will Wade's critical comments highlight the team's disappointment in their current situation, which they'll have to overcome to keep their March Madness hopes alive.