
NC State’s Defensive Overhaul Under New Coach Justin Gainey
After Will Wade’s turbulent exit, Justin Gainey arrives with a defensive pedigree that could reshape the Wolfpack’s fortunes.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Justin Gainey across Basketball.

After Will Wade’s turbulent exit, Justin Gainey arrives with a defensive pedigree that could reshape the Wolfpack’s fortunes.

The first live evaluation window of the summer begins Thursday, prompting NC State’s basketball staff to embark on a cross‑league scouting tour that will span the Nike EYBL, Adidas 3SSB, Puma PRO16 and Under Armour circuits.

A deep look at Darius Adams’ blend of untrainable talent, injury-shortened freshman season, and the optimism surrounding his potential impact at NC State.

The University of Tennessee has released its full slate of opponents for the 2026‑27 men’s basketball season, highlighting traditional SEC rivals, a marquee stint at the Players Era Festival and a home‑and‑home series with Big Ten powerhouses.
North Carolina State’s men’s basketball program has chosen to walk away from the second half of its scheduled home‑and‑home series with Virginia Commonwealth University, opting instead to honor the buyout clause in the original agreement.

Tennessee’s 2026‑27 basketball slate is set, featuring home‑and‑home matchups with traditional rivals, a high‑profile ACC‑SEC Challenge, and a November showcase in Las Vegas.
The Wolfpack announced the addition of 6‑foot‑11 forward Shah Hall, a junior‑college transfer recovering from injury, as they look to bolster depth behind starter Kyle Evans.

First‑time head coach Justin Gainey uses strategic transfers to maintain NC State's competitive edge and preserve its tournament prospects amid major roster changes.

A legal battle between North Carolina State University and Louisiana State University has emerged after allegations that LSU may have induced basketball coach Will Wade to break his contract, prompting a multi‑million dollar settlement and a broader inquiry into collegiate recruiting practices.

A look at how elite and emerging coaches are leveraging the transfer portal to build competitive teams, the successes they’ve achieved, and the hurdles that still loom.

Ryan Hampton, a six‑foot‑six wing ranked sixth nationally, will be on Kentucky’s campus June 5‑7 as the Wildcats aim to reshape their 2027 recruiting class.

Tennessee’s upcoming non‑conference basketball slate features home games against Florida State and Michigan State, a road trip to North Carolina State, and a high‑profile stint at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, marking the first time since 2020‑21 that the Vols will host two Power Five opponents at home.

The Vols will host Florida State in the ACC‑SEC Challenge, restart home‑and‑home series with Michigan State and Purdue, and open the Players Era Festival against Maryland in Las Vegas. New coach Justin Gainey will test the team against North Carolina State, while recent memories of close battles with Syracuse linger.

The 2026 ACC/SEC Challenge will pit the South Carolina Gamecocks against NC State in Raleigh, highlighting a historic rivalry and new coaching directions for both programs.

Tennessee’s non‑conference schedule pits the Vols against a series of top‑10 foes, from the ACC‑SEC Challenge to a Vegas festival, testing depth and ambition

A five‑tier projection sorts the conference’s programs, with Duke in the top tier and a bottom bucket labeled “The Basement.”

Duke enters the 2026‑27 campaign on a 42‑of‑44 ACC winning streak, but Louisville, Miami, Virginia and North Carolina are pouring resources into challenging the Blue Devils. New coaches, transfers and strategic shifts promise a competitive season.

North Carolina State’s 2027 ACC basketball schedule lacks home games against its two biggest rivals, a change that could affect attendance and early‑season momentum.

NC State's upcoming 2027 home conference schedule drops games against UNC and Duke, instead welcoming teams such as Wake Forest, Cal and Louisville, a shift that could test fan turnout early in the season

North Carolina State’s men’s basketball team is set to compete in the 2026 Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship, where it will face Wisconsin and Seton Hall in a format that guarantees two games per squad.
The Vols will meet NC State at Bridgestone Arena on Dec. 6, 2026, in a non‑conference doubleheader that also features Georgia Tech versus Murray State. Ticket sales begin in June, while game time and broadcast details remain pending.

NC State will host Tennessee in a neutral‑site men's basketball game on December 6 in Nashville, featuring a mentor‑mentee clash between Justin Gainey and Rick Barnes, with both programs using the matchup to shape their 2026‑27 rosters.

The Wolfpack will open a doubleheader at Bridgestone Arena on Dec. 6 against the Volunteers, marking a personal milestone for head coach Justin Gainey and kicking off a season that promises early excitement.

Justin Gainey, a longtime Tennessee assistant, steps into the head‑coach role at North Carolina State for a much‑anticipated December 2026 game in Nashville.