RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – The Will Wade era at NC State has begun with a flurry of points in an impressive opening win.
The Wolfpack blew out North Carolina Central 114-66 Monday night at the Lenovo Center in Wade’s first game as NC State’s head coach.
Seven NC State players scored in double digits, led by Darrion Williams’ 19 point effort. Williams is the preseason pick as the ACC Player of the Year.
Paul McNeil added 16 for the Wolfpack, who scored the game’s first eight points and led by 19 by the 8-minute media time-out in the first half.
The game marked the debut of Wade, who was hired March 23 after leading McNeese to a combined 58-11 record and back-to-back Southland regular season and tournament titles in two seasons with the Cowboys.
Wade turned over the NC State roster from last season’s 12-19 team. He brought back just one scholarship player — Paul McNeil Jr. — from last season and just two players overall; McNeil and walk-on Jordan Snell.
The Pack’s top-eight scorers from last season are not returning to this year’s team. The 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons mark the last time NC State had the same leading scorer in back-to-back seasons.
Wade’s Wolfpack face UAB at the Lenovo Center Friday night.