After NC State fell 97-73, the Wolfpack dropped to 10-16 (3-12) and is in serious danger of missing the ACC Tournament. It’s been a disastrous season for Kevin Keatts. This was a team picked 8th in the pre-season following an incredible run last March that saw NC State win the ACC and reach the Final 4.
Prior to that, Keatts had exactly 0 NCAA tournament wins in 6 seasons and likely would not have survived the season without that run.
So what we make of this season, that’s turned into a disaster?
There are a couple of recent examples.
Florida State football is a similar case. Mike Norvell went 13-0 during the regular season in 2023, and won an ACC Title only to be followed by a nightmare season next that saw him and FSU go 2-10.
Norvell will be back for FSU, but there will be immense pressure on him next season.
I think the same will be true for Keatts. Keatts won’t be fired after a Final 4 and ACC Title season, but the trainwreck of this year will leave NC State fans bristling. Former Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner won the ACC in 2021, after 4 pedestrian seasons. Then he had a bad 2022 and was fired in 2023.
If you’re looking at a timeline for Keatts there you have it. He better produce next season.
