Paul McNeil is back at NC State, and that alone makes him one of the biggest stories of this preseason countdown.
With practice officially set to begin in three days, September 21, the Wolfpack are getting another season from a player who has already given fans plenty to remember. This will be McNeil’s third year in the program and, as the source notes, his third coaching staff - and he stayed put even when other schools tried to pry him away. Coach Gainey calls that a major offseason win, and for good reason.
McNeil’s résumé already has some loud entries. He set the program record for most made 3PT shots in a season, and last year’s Heritage game produced a 47/10 double-double that still stands out. The appreciation from Wolfpack fans has only grown because he kept riding through the changes.
The numbers from last season show exactly why he matters. He scored 47 points in a game, reached double figures in 23 games, and topped 20 points eight times.
He also posted one double-double and grabbed 10 rebounds in that big performance. His calling card remains obvious: three-point shooting.
Patrick Stacy summed it up this way: “Only player in history to make that volume of 3’s [last season] with that accuracy”
Coach Gainey also made clear how he views McNeil’s role and growth. “Paul is coachable, I’m excited about the things he is doing with the ball, excited about the things he is doing on defense, he’s taken his leadership role very seriously. “
Still, the concerns around McNeil have not disappeared. Size has always been part of the conversation, especially because he has not often been able to get all the way to the basket. The offseason photos, though, show noticeably more muscle definition than before.
There’s also the question of whether his offense is too narrow. Last season, only 23.9% of his made shots came inside the arc.
He did dunk four times, going 4-for-4, and he made 25 “Close 2PT” shots at 62.5%, but once he moved a few steps farther out, his shooting percentage fell to 24.2%. The source makes clear that Gainey’s comments about McNeil handling the ball are a positive sign, but the broader point remains: to round out his game, he needs to keep expanding what he can do beyond the arc.
Defense is the other major issue. Last season McNeil ranked 10th on the Wolfpack in DPBM at -0.1, which means the opponent’s offense was better with him on the floor than with him off it. He finished behind only Jerry Deng, Jordan Snell, and Colt Langdon in that category.
Even with those questions, the expectation here is that McNeil is headed for his best season yet. The prediction is not for another three-point record, though.
With three or four very good 38%+ shooters on the floor at all times, the scoring should be spread around more. That kind of spacing should also open things up for McNeil, Hammond, and Adams to attack the rim.
On defense, the belief is in Gainey and in the team’s overall growth. The improvement on that end could end up being the clearest sign of what this coaching staff has changed.
But it won’t happen overnight. The effort may show up right away; becoming a truly good defensive team will take time.
In Other News...
Vanderbilt Just Created A Frustrating Future Problem For NC State
NC State heads to Vanderbilt on Saturday, but the bigger issue for the Wolfpack may already be sitting three years down the road. Vanderbilt has canceled its scheduled return trip to Raleigh in 2028, according to the contract, and will owe NC State $1 million for breaching the agreement. The Commodores have already filled that opening by adding Virginia to their 2028 non-conference schedule, leaving the Wolfpack with an unexpected hole to patch.
For NC State, the timing is the frustration. The ACC requires a Power Four opponent on the non-conference slate, so the Wolfpack now have to replace a lost home game with another major-conference matchup for 2028. That is not just a scheduling inconvenience, either. It changes the shape of the future non-conference calendar and puts pressure on NC State to find a quality opponent willing to come to Raleigh. [Read more 🡒]
NC State Faces A New Vanderbilt Problem At Quarterback
Vanderbilts quarterback picture just got a little sharper heading into its meeting with North Carolina State, with coach Clark Lea announcing that freshman Jared Curtis will make his first start against the Wolfpack. Curtis arrived with a big reputation and has already flashed in relief through the opening two games, including a strong showing in the win over Delaware, so NC State will have a different look to prepare for than the one it might have expected a week ago.
For the Wolfpack, the timing adds another layer to a game already carrying some momentum after a record-setting victory. NC State is trying to carry that energy forward, but the challenge now includes a young quarterback who has quickly moved into the spotlight and could give Vanderbilt a different kind of offensive spark. [Read more 🡒]
Dave Doeren Raised 2 Big NC State Questions Before Vanderbilt
Dave Doeren had plenty to unpack before NC State heads to Vanderbilt, and the conversation quickly moved beyond the usual game-week talk. The Wolfpack coach touched on a range of issues, including KaTron Evans eligibility ruling, how the staff is evaluating quarterback Jared Curtis, and how the team is preparing for the kind of heat that can change the feel of a road trip before the first snap. He also pointed to NC States previous experience in tough away environments as part of the buildup to this one.
The bigger questions around the Vanderbilt matchup were less about the opponent itself than the conditions surrounding it. Doeren said he was pleased with the NCAAs decision on Evans and outlined the teams hydration plan as part of the preparation, while also addressing how conference realignment has affected scheduling. The result is a fairly familiar August storyline for a program trying to balance roster availability, quarterback development, and the practical realities of playing on the road. [Read more 🡒]