Raleigh, NC’s rumor mill is buzzing—and for good motive. A tweet from Corey Smith, editor of Pack Satisfaction, a syndicated accomplice of 247Sports, has HBCU and ACC hoop heads speaking: “In response to sources, NC State is finalizing a deal to host NC Central and LeVelle Moton within the house opener to open the Will Wade period contained in the Lenovo Middle.” Whereas neither faculty has formally confirmed the information, Smith’s observe document on NC State athletics makes this one value watching.
A Wolfpack at a crossroads
NC State enters the Will Wade period hoping to recharge a program that has seen each meteoric highs and painful lows. After a magical Closing 4 run within the 2023-24 season, the Pack got here crashing again to earth with a disappointing 2024-25 marketing campaign that value then-coach Kevin Keatts his job. Employed to regular the ship, Wade now inherits a risky roster, heightened expectations, and a problem to reignite fan optimism.
Moton’s masterpiece: 2013 upset nonetheless resonates
The Wolfpack seemingly haven’t forgotten the final time they met NCCU within the 919: November 20, 2013, in entrance of almost 10,000 followers at PNC Enviornment, LeVelle Moton’s Eagles pulled off a historic 82–72 additional time upset, incomes their first-ever win over an ACC opponent since becoming a member of Division I.
Jeremy Ingram dropped a game-high 29 factors, together with a school-record 19 made free throws, as NCCU outshot, out-rebounded, and out-toughed the Wolfpack in their very own constructing.
The Eagles have been almost flawless on the line, hitting 41-of-45 free throws (91.1%)—together with an ideal 12-for-12 in OT—to silence the group and stun the pink and white. The win was extra than simply an upset—it was a program-shifting second.
Moton’s 2013 squad didn’t cease there. They went on to dominate the MEAC with a 28–6 general document and 15–1 in league play, sweeping each the common season and convention event championships—and incomes the varsity’s first-ever NCAA Match berth on the Division I degree. Moton himself earned a number of nationwide teaching accolades, together with MEAC Coach of the 12 months and finalist honors for the Hugh Durham and Ben Jobe Awards.
And if the rumored 2025–26 season opener towards NC State involves fruition, it received’t simply be a warm-up sport—it’ll be a high-stakes rematch constructed on historical past, delight, and unfinished enterprise.
NCCU Upsets NC State in 2013
The HBCU hierarchy: NCCU in context
Whereas NC Central has lengthy stood tall within the MEAC, current seasons have been dominated by Howard and Norfolk State, each of which have taken convention titles prior to now few years.
Visiting the Wolfpack for the primary time for the reason that upset would renew a rivalry rooted in regional delight and legacy. A win for NCCU might sign a fair bigger shift: that not solely is the HBCU hoops scene aggressive, nevertheless it additionally has the expertise, teaching, and swagger to problem ACC packages within the large cash NIL period.
The trendy rivalry
Between 2008 and 2013, NC State confronted NCCU 5 instances, racking up 4 wins—together with blowouts in ’09 and ’11—however that 2013 loss stays contemporary within the reminiscence.
If the report involves fruition, the Will Wade period kicks off with extra than simply an ordinary ACC opener: a take a look at in proximity, delight, and perspective. It’s an opportunity to revisit LeVelle Moton and NC Central’s upset legacy, shine a highlight on HBCU basketball, and throw a litmus take a look at at a newly employed coach.
