Every game at NC State produces new narratives that mold the foundation of programs, for better or worse. Is it too early to reach a verdict, or is it time to panic? Let’s judge some of the biggest overreactions for the Wolfpack with Thanksgiving around the corner.
“NC State men’s soccer will make a run in the NCAA Tournament”
First-year head coach Marc Hubbard and his Wolfpack squad waited anxiously for 12 days before learning its NCAA tournament fate on Monday. After getting bounced by Virginia at home in the first round of the ACC tournament, NC State’s postseason aspirations were no longer in its own hands with the team’s hopes lying with the NCAA selection committee.
Now, with a thrilling overtime win over UNC-Charlotte in the first round, the Wolfpack could go on a tear this postseason.
This past week, the Wolfpack had three players selected for All-ACC honors for their stellar seasons. Sophomore forward Hakim Karamoko and junior midfielder Taig Healy were selected to the All-ACC second team while freshman defender Niko Markovic was named to the All-ACC freshman team.
The Wolfpack will now travel to Washington, D.C. to face No. 4 Georgetown, who won the national title when the Pack was last seen in the tournament. NC State would certainly have an uphill battle, but the teams share one common weakness: struggles in the second half.
Georgetown’s second-half struggles—being outscored 5-0 in its four losses—could play into NC State’s hands if the Wolfpack can press the pace and wear down the Hoyas. Much like Georgetown, NC State has struggled in the second half this season, but if Karamoko, Healy and Markovic can inspire intensity for 90 minutes, they’ll be able to exploit Georgetown’s fatigue and secure a key victory.
The Wolfpack also have an advantage over every team they’ll play — rest. After the early ACC Tournament exit, NC State has 15 days of rest and preparation — an invaluable advantage in the postseason. With Charlotte and Georgetown playing just this past Sunday, the Wolfpack will enter the tournament fresher, with more time to recover physically and refine the game plan.
“Most of us have to continue to get better,” Hubbard said. “A few of us have to really rest up, and we’ve got a great staff to be able to do that. We just haven’t been at full strength for a bit here and are riding some guys for 90 minutes. Maybe that’s the meaning behind what happened [against Virginia], it puts us in a good position to attack the NCAA.”
Combined with the momentum from the school’s best regular-season record since 2013, this team is primed as a dangerous sleeper in the tournament. NC State has the pieces in place to surprise a few teams and make a run this winter.
Conclusion: Not an Overreaction
“Middlebrooks and Huntley-Hatfield are the answers to the questions Burns and Diarra left”
With the departures of former NC State forwards DJ Burns and Mohamed Diarra, head coach Kevin Keatts found himself facing a pivotal offseason question: Who could fill the gap left behind in the frontcourt? The answer came in the form of senior forwards Ben Middlebrooks and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, who have stepped up to the challenge.
The duo has combined for 24 points and 8.3 rebounds per game through the first four outings, bringing a different approach to the game than Burns and Diarra’s 19.2 points and 11.8 boards last season. Middlebrooks and Huntley-Hatfield have taken significant leaps for a team hoping to replicate last year’s success
Read more here about how Middlebrooks and Huntley-Hatfield have filled the shoes of Burns and Diarra.
Conclusion: Not an overreaction
“Grace Hartman will contend for the 6k individual National Championship”
The preseason-favorite Wolfpack women’s cross-country team has taken a staggering nosedive, dropping from No. 1 to No. 13 since Oct. 1. While an eighth-straight victory at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships allowed the Pack to jump four spots from No. 17, it has still been a disappointing season for the back-to-back-to-back national champs.
Despite the team’s struggles, junior Grace Hartman has had a career season. Hartman’s first-place individual finish in the 6k at the Regional Championship sets the stage for something even bigger: a national title.
The National Championships will be held on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course in Madison, Wisconsin, a venue known for revealing runners’ genuine ability. Some courses run faster than others, while some create more challenges for the field collectively. Wisconsin’s home was also the location of the Pre-Nationals in October, where Hartman placed sixth — just a tenth of a second off her career-best at the ACC Championships earlier this month.
Last November, former University of Florida runner and Olympian Parker Valby won the individual title at 18:55.2, winning by a whopping 10 seconds over the field. The leading returners include Alabama’s Doris Lemngole, who placed second as a freshman at 19:05.7 and Florida’s Hilda Olemomoi, who finished fourth as a sophomore. New Mexico’s Pamela Kosgei, who won the Pre-National race with a sub-19:00 time, has also emerged as a top contender.
Given the depth of the competition, any contender will likely need to be within Valby’s range of 18:55 to win the title. For Hartman to do so, she would need to shave 20 seconds off her career-best — a colossal difference in such a short period. Even with her remarkable progress this season, that kind of leap is too much to ask. Pushing too hard to catch the leaders could stretch Hartman beyond her limits, causing a tailspin in the final 500 meters and negatively affecting NC State’s team’s score.
From a 63rd-place finish at last year’s National Championships to potentially placing within the top handful this year, her rise has been exceptional. But realistically, winning the title in 2024 is still a step too far for Hartman. Still, don’t be surprised if this is only the beginning of her ascent to greatness in NCAA cross-country.
Conclusion: Overreaction
