Just a month ago, NC State’s men’s basketball team was cruising at a pace that had fans dreaming big. After a modest 5-3 start, they kicked it into high gear, winning 13 of their next 16 games, including a six-game conference streak that hadn’t been seen since the glory days of 1973-74.
But then, the wheels seemed to wobble.
The Wolfpack stumbled to the finish line, dropping six of their last seven games. Their sole victory came against a UNC-Chapel Hill team missing its top guns. In the blink of an eye, NC State slipped from a solid fourth in the ACC and a sure bet for the NCAA Tournament to seventh in the conference, now teetering on the edge of the last four byes in the latest Bracketology by Joe Lunardi.
The fanbase, naturally, was none too pleased. Head coach Will Wade’s bold promise of a ‘Red Reckoning’ seemed to be heading in reverse.
“We feel like we let our fans down,” admitted senior forward Ven-Allen Lubin.
Yet, hope remains. The team has a secret weapon ready to guide them back to their early-season form.
And it’s not the usual suspects like senior guard Quadir Copeland or forward Darrion Williams. It’s senior guard Jordan Snell.
Snell, a walk-on in his fourth year, has long been a fan favorite, even if his minutes are limited. During blowout games at home, chants of “We want Snell” echo through Lenovo Center, and the crowd erupts when he steps up to the scorer’s table.
“Snell has made a great impact on our program,” said Wade. “He’s been here through different coaching eras and has stuck with us. We truly appreciate everything he’s done.”
But how does a player with limited court time make such a difference?
On a roster that’s been reshaped over the last two years, Snell remains the sole survivor from the 2024 Cinderella team that shocked everyone by winning five games in five days to clinch an NCAA Tournament berth, eventually making a historic Final Four appearance.
Snell’s experience is unique. Unlike players like Williams and senior guard Tre Holloman, who come from programs with high expectations like Texas Tech and Michigan State, Snell was part of an NC State team that wasn’t even supposed to be in the tournament in 2024. He knows the taste of the improbable.
“Every team I’ve been on, we’ve ended on a losing streak,” Snell shared. “I can bring some perspective and composure to the locker room.”
Sure, a double bye in the ACC Tournament is off the table, but things could be worse.
“We wanted to finish in the top four, but it didn’t pan out,” Snell said. “We know it was within reach, but we fell short. We can use that as motivation for the wins we need.”
It’s not fair to expect this team to replicate the 2024 magic, especially since Snell is the only player from that squad. The staff, players, and even the student section have all changed.
“It’s a bit of a limbo because I have the experience to draw from, but this team has its own identity,” Snell explained. “There might be a different spark for this team. I think I can help them realize that anything is possible.”
Fortunately, Wade’s current squad is in a better spot than the 2024 team. Back then, NC State needed to win it all to secure a berth. This time, they might make the cut even without a tournament victory, though a win would certainly bolster their chances.
“You regroup and head into the ACC Tournament with a positive mindset,” Snell encouraged. “We start on Wednesday, which is better than starting on Tuesday.”
Regardless of how the conference tournament plays out, Snell’s influence off the court is undeniable, and his teammates rally around his leadership.
“I feel like I can really help this team out,” Snell said confidently. “It’s a new season starting Wednesday, and anything can happen.”