NC State Veteran Core Falters in Critical Loss to Miami

Highly experienced roster fails to deliver in key conference matchup

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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NC State's men's basketball team, led by a veteran core of players with extensive NCAA Tournament experience, was unable to close out a critical home game against Miami, suffering a disappointing loss that raises questions about the team's ability to perform under pressure in big moments.

Why it matters

NC State built its roster around players with proven March Madness success, believing this experience would give them an edge in close, high-stakes games. However, the team has now faltered multiple times at home and struggled to finish off opponents on the road, casting doubt on whether this veteran-laden squad can live up to its potential when the stakes are highest.

The details

Despite boasting 549 combined NCAA Tournament minutes played on its roster - 200 more than the next closest ACC team - NC State was unable to hold off a late surge by Miami, blowing a lead in the closing minutes of the game. The loss marks the third time the Wolfpack have faltered at home this season, raising concerns about the team's ability to perform under pressure in crucial situations.

  • NC State hosted Miami on February 15, 2026.

The players

Will Wade

The head coach of the NC State men's basketball team, who emphasized building a roster full of experienced, tournament-tested players in his first year with the program.

Darrion Williams

A transfer from Texas Tech who joined NC State's veteran-laden roster this season.

Ven-Allen Lubin

A transfer from UNC who brought NCAA Tournament experience to the Wolfpack.

Tre Holloman

A transfer from Michigan State who was expected to contribute to NC State's veteran core.

Terrance Arceneaux

A transfer from Houston who added to NC State's depth of players with big-game experience.

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What they’re saying

“We have 549 NCAA Tournament minutes played on our roster. That's 200 more than the next closest ACC team. We want to have a team that's prepared to get to March and prepared to win in March, so that's what we feel like we've put together with this group.”

— Will Wade, Head Coach, NC State Men's Basketball (ACC Tip-Off)

What’s next

The loss to Miami is a critical setback for NC State's postseason aspirations, and the team will need to regroup quickly to avoid further stumbles in the highly competitive ACC. Their next opportunity to prove they can win in high-pressure situations will come on February 22nd when they host Duke.

The takeaway

NC State's inability to close out this game against Miami, despite its veteran-laden roster, raises serious questions about whether the team's March Madness experience will translate to success when the stakes are highest. The Wolfpack must find a way to perform under pressure if they hope to fulfill their potential and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.