- PG- Degand (6'4", RSo.) or Gonzalez (6', Fr.)
- SG- Courtney Fells (6'5", Jr.)
- SF- Gavin Grant (6'8", Sr.)
- PF- Brandon Costner (6'9", RSo.)
- C- Ben McAuley (6'10", Jr.)
Key Reserves:
- PF/C- J.J. Hickson (6'9", Fr.)
- PF- Tracy Smith (6'7", Fr.)
- PF- Dennis Horner (6'8", So.)
- PG- Marques Johnson (6'5", So.) (ineligible until mid-season)
Outlook: The Wolfpack seem to have what it takes to be a force in the ACC and nationally. Brandon Costner is a stud, a pre-season all-ACC pick by the media, looking to improve on his 16.8 ppg and 7.3 rpg from last year. He showed a deft touch from the perimeter and toughness inside. The wings in Grant and Fells are experienced and battle-tested from having to play the majority of the minutes last season. They will have similar expectations this year, along with integrating a new point guard. The post situation is a strong one, with a lot of quality depth. McAuley did a solid job last season, and the additions of Hickson and Smith, along with Horner, will allow Costner to play on the wing more, which makes the Wolfpack even tougher.
NC State exceeded expectations last year, and now have high ones to live up to. The schedule includes out of conference tests with Davidson and Michigan State, and a potential match-up with Villanova or Kansas State in a Thanksgiving Tournament. In the conference, the Pack will have Duke, UNC, and Clemson, home and away, the other top 3 teams pre-season. The wins will be there out of conference, and, hopefully, the point guard play will be strengthened when the conference season rolls around.
Prediction: 11-5 Finish, T-2 in ACC; 24-6 Overall.