CBS Sports Ranks NC State Men’s Basketball as a 2025-26 Preseason Top 25 Caliber Club

CBS Sports posted an article on Friday, placing each ACC men’s basketball team into preseason tiers for the upcoming 2025–26 season.

NC State was listed in Tier 2: Top-25 Caliber Team, alongside UNC and UVA.

Here’s what Isaac Trotter had to say about the Pack:

The scoop: NC State’s defense is going to make everyone extremely uncomfortable. Will Wade has a ton of switchable wings who should help the Wolfpack shrink the floor, load up in the gaps and force confusion. Get ready to learn triple-switching. 

NC State also has a stud in Williams who is out to prove he’s more than just a product of Texas Tech’s outstanding offensive system. Williams’ “booty-ball” brilliance is maximized by floor spacing, and NC State has options for that in Holloman, McNeil, Able, Deng and even Arceneaux.

Some clunky moments offensively feel inevitable for a new-look group. A top-25 offense probably isn’t possible unless young guards like Able and McNeil are ready for prime time, but NC State has all the pieces to comfortably make the Big Dance. (CBS)

Tier 1: National Championship Contenders: Louisville and Duke

Tier 2: Top-25 Caliber Club: NC State, UNC and UVA

Tier 3: Bubblicious: SMU, Miami, Syracuse, Notre Dame, Wake Forest and Clemson

Tier 4: The Basement: Pitt, FSU, Cal, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Boston College and Stanford