The Research Triangle is gearing up for an exhilarating basketball season, but the rivalry between NC State and Duke is about to heat up! With the 2025-26 season approaching, the NC State Wolfpack, under the leadership of Will Wade, is eager to shake things up in the ACC.
But here's where it gets personal: Wade and star player Darrion Williams have made it clear they feel disrespected by the lack of recognition for NC State and hold a grudge against UNC. However, Duke, fresh from their Final Four appearance, is focused on the ultimate prize—a national championship. This sets the stage for an intense battle in the Triangle.
Duke's Jon Scheyer has rebuilt his team around the highly-touted freshman Cameron Boozer, son of Duke's 2001 national championship hero, Carlos Boozer. Cameron, the No. 3 recruit in 2025, has already made an impact, winning ACC Rookie of the Year honors. Yet, it was NC State's Williams who claimed preseason player of the year, despite a photo mix-up at ACC Tipoff.
Scheyer's strategy for the upcoming season relies on the return of forward Maliq Brown and point guard Caleb Foster, both eager to contribute to Duke's championship aspirations. Interestingly, Brown has a connection to NC State's Quadir Copeland, as they were teammates at Syracuse, adding another layer to this rivalry.
While it may be unrealistic to expect NC State to dominate Duke and North Carolina in the Triangle in Wade's first year, his confidence suggests the Wolfpack could surprise everyone. And this is the part most people miss—the Wolfpack's journey to prove themselves as a force to be reckoned with starts now, even before their February clash with Duke.
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