Justin Gainey is treating NC State’s trip to Greensboro for the Tobacco Road Classic as more than just another stop on the calendar.
For the Wolfpack coach, the setting carries real personal weight. Gainey said coaching in Greensboro feels like a full-circle moment, especially with his own history tied to the area. He grew up in nearby High Point, used to watch ACC Tournament games there as a fan, and later made his own mark in the building as a freshman point guard in 1997, when he set an ACC Tournament record by playing all 160 minutes across four games.
Now he’s back there leading NC State, and he clearly understands why the venue and the matchup matter. Gainey pointed to the long-standing heat around the NC State-UNC rivalry and said the neutral-site non-conference meeting was important for both the fans and the players. With the ACC’s updated 18-game schedule no longer guaranteeing home-and-home series every year, he said creating the Tobacco Road Classic on December 15, 2026, helps preserve a marquee rivalry date.
Gainey also had plenty to say about the return of Ven-Allen Lubin, and the tone was simple: he’s thrilled to have him back on the floor.
Lubin has rejoined practice, and Gainey praised what he brings beyond just size. He highlighted Lubin’s character, his efficiency, and the versatility he adds in the frontcourt. He also noted that NC State now has six interior post players, which should make for a demanding and competitive practice environment.
In Other News...
NC State Just Got Needed Clarity On KaTron Evans Availability
KaTron Evans finally has some clarity heading into NC States opener, and for now it is the kind of news the Wolfpack needed. After his request for a sixth year of eligibility was denied, Evans filed suit against the NCAA and received temporary relief from a judge, giving him a path to participate as the court process moves forward.
For NC State, the immediate question is settled enough for the moment, with the legal timeline stretching beyond the start of the season. The larger uncertainty still hangs over what comes next, because Evans status after the opener will be tied to how the case unfolds in September and beyond. [Read more 🡒]
NC State And UNC Are Bringing Back Something Fans Missed
North Carolina and NC State are bringing back a familiar part of the Tobacco Road calendar, announcing a neutral-site non-conference game in Greensboro on Dec. 15, 2026. The matchup, billed as the Tobacco Road Classic, restores a second regular-season meeting between the rivals after ACC scheduling changes trimmed conference games and ended their traditional home-and-home setup.
Greensboro will host the first one, and it will not be a one-off. The schools also plan a return game there in the 2027-28 season, giving fans another chance to see the rivalry in a setting that has long carried extra weight, even without the old home-and-home format. [Read more 🡒]