The "other" North Carolina school is starting to make a name for itself. NC State is building a reputation as a challenger in the nation's most competitive conference.
The ACC is about as competitive as the NBA's Western Conference. It boasts of recruiting giants and Hall of Fame coaches. But a rising program like the North Carolina State Wolfpacks will not be denied of their place in the sun.
Building on last year's Cinderella run when it upset no.1 ranked Villanova in the round of 32. Their reputation as bracket crashers will soon be replaced by bracket staple if the coach Mark Gottfried has his way.
So far, he already has. Coveted recruit and ESPN no. 30 Maverick Rowan, formerly of Pitt, chose NC State over conference rival Louisville. Rowan was a top 30 recruit for 2016 but he reclassified.
But 2016 may still be a banner year for Gottfried, as SB Nation points out, he's in the running for two 5-star players by virtue of his other recruit, Shaun Kirk.
"Kirk played with Team Loaded NC this spring, a team led by two of the top recruits in the country in Dennis Smith Jr. and Bam Adebayo," SB Nation narrates. "Smith is widely considered the best of a loaded point guard class, and is ranked as high as No. 4 overall in the 2016 class by major services. Adebayo is a wrecking ball of a power forward at 6'8, 220 pounds. He's a high level above-the-rim finisher and great rebounder. Right now, he's ranked No. 8 in his class by ESPN."
The two players are reportedly in a "package deal" similar to Jahlil Okafor and Tyus Jones from last year's champion team, Duke.
There are possibilities of a new powerhouse team in the ACC as Rowan may stick around next year as the two freshmen hop in, and they could still have Trevor Lacey and Anthony Barber. That would make a well-rounded roster good enough to contend with the ACC juggernauts.