NC State Basketball Coach Puzzled by 'Funky' Wolfpack After Blowout Loss

Will Wade calls his team 'so funky' after NC State's 90-61 defeat at Virginia.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 5:44am

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NC State basketball head coach Will Wade expressed frustration and confusion following his team's 90-61 blowout loss to No. 11 Virginia. Despite strong practices leading up to the game, Wade said his 'funky' Wolfpack squad failed to translate that preparation into a competitive performance on the court, leaving the first-year coach with 'no feel' for how his team will respond from game to game.

Why it matters

NC State has struggled with inconsistency all season, flashing high-level play at times only to swing sharply in the opposite direction. Wade's candid comments about his inability to get a read on his team highlight the unpredictability that has defined the Wolfpack's 19-9 campaign so far, raising questions about their ability to establish the consistency needed to secure an NCAA Tournament berth.

The details

NC State was dominated from the opening tip, shooting just 18.2% in the first half as Virginia built a 32-19 lead. Things only got worse after halftime, with the Cavaliers shooting 70% in the second half to push the final margin to 29 points. Despite strong practices leading up to the game, Wade said his team's 'funky' nature prevented them from translating that preparation into a competitive performance.

  • NC State lost to No. 11 Virginia 90-61 on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.

The players

Will Wade

The head coach of the NC State men's basketball team, in his first season leading the program.

Virginia

The No. 11 ranked men's basketball team that defeated NC State 90-61.

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What they’re saying

“This team's so funky. We practiced well the last couple of days, which I was joking. I said, probably means we'll play terrible. So, I was right. You just have no feel with this group.”

— Will Wade, Head Coach, NC State Basketball

What’s next

The Wolfpack's schedule offers little relief, and any realistic NCAA Tournament path will depend on the team establishing more consistency on both ends of the floor. If Wade cannot unlock more dependable habits soon, his description of this 'funky' group may define the season as much as any single loss.

The takeaway

Will Wade's candid admission that he has 'no feel' for how his 'funky' NC State team will respond from game to game underscores the unpredictability that has plagued the Wolfpack all season. With an NCAA Tournament berth on the line, Wade must find a way to unlock more consistent play from his squad if they hope to secure a postseason bid.