FULL ARCENEAUX: Terrance Arceneaux responds in a big way after Wade tells him “You can either do it, or your a$# needs to sit.”

Terrance Arceneaux was in just about everyone’s projected starting lineup for NC State.

The 6’6, long, lean, defensive-minded wing was supposed to be the Pack’s lockdown perimeter defender. They were also counting on him to take the next step offensively, which wasn’t a stretch at all. Don’t believe us? Listen to Houston head coach Kelvin Samspson talk about Arceneaux’s emerging offense…

“I would think next season for Terrance, that would be the season when he would put a lot of things together.” said Sampson.

Well, fortunately for NC State, that ‘next season’ is happening now in Raleigh after he entered the portal and was scooped up by Will Wade.

But things didn’t get off on the right foot as he struggled big time offensively, while guys like Paul McNeil Jr and Matt Able were flourishing. Arceneaux found himself on the back end of the rotation, only getting 25 minutes in his first 3 games (and missing 2 games with Achilles soreness). In his 3 games of action leading up to yesterday, he only had 3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal.

But with Paul McNeil Jr. having trouble finding his offense and NC State’s defense constantly failing to stop blow-bys, plus coming off an embarrassing loss to Seton Hall, Wade turned to Arceneaux once again to see if he could spark something.

But Wade was running out of patience with the junior wing. He explained it in his post-game press conference…

“It’s about time. We had a spirited conversation last night, me and him, and I told him ‘I’m tired of waiting around. You can either do it, or you’re a$& needs to sit, and we’ll just say your Achilles is hurt. We’ll just move on, but everything’s been cleared. It’s time to play.’

I knew he’s capable. That’s why we signed him. He’s a good player, but he’s got to play. He did a good job today, and now we’ve got to do it consistently because we got to turn around and do it again tomorrow.

We’ve got some work to do on that. Hopefully, we can get him to flip it around and have a little bit of consistency to him.”

Sometimes a player just needs to a clear ultimatum to kick them into gear, and that seems to be the case with Terrance who seemed to be playing timid on the achilles he tore two years ago (despite clean imaging results done by the team.)

His play changed everything for NC State yesterday. 11 points on 4-5 shooting. 1-1 from 3pt range. 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. He filled the stat sheet. His length bothered Boise State, and he helped on the glass after NC State was being punished there in the first half. With Arceneaux playing a majority of the 2nd half, NC State flipped the script and won the battle of the boards 20-15.

I wouldn’t be too surprised if Will Wade felt like he unlocked something last night. Arceneaux and Able came in and kicked the defense up a notch, brought toughness, sured the glass and even gave him some offense. I woulndn’t be surprised to see role increases for these guys when they take on a very tough and physical Texas team today at 4:30pm.