Will Wade’s Roster Reload Shakes Up the Triangle — Before Coaching a Single Game
With the transfer of Ven-Allen Lubin from UNC, Will Wade’s inaugural roster at NC State appears to be complete. And with that final addition, Wade has already managed to stir up “Planet Carolina” in a way no NC State coach has since Norm Sloan — and he hasn’t even coached a game yet.
So, what exactly has Wade assembled for his first campaign in Raleigh? And perhaps more intriguingly — what’s the most compelling question looming over the upcoming season?
Only One Returner
Just one scholarship player returns: 6-foot-2 sophomore Paul McNeil, who showed flashes last season. A fresh start under Wade could unlock real improvement.
The Transfers
Here’s a look at the influx of portal talent Wade has brought in:
- Alyn Breed (6-3, Sr.): A former Providence guard who followed Wade from McNeese. Injuries limited him last year, but teammates raved about his game before the setback. Notably, he faced a gun charge at Providence, though it didn’t amount to much legally.
- Quadir Copeland (6-6, Jr.): Another McNeese transfer, previously at Syracuse. Not an elite scorer, but athletic, a sharp passer, and an active defender. He could be a valuable utility piece.
- Tre Holloman (6-2, Jr.): Comes from Michigan State, where Tom Izzo was reportedly “very surprised” by his departure. That alone makes him a player to watch. He’s expected to start at point guard.
- Darrion Williams (6-6, Jr.): Averaged 15.5 points and 5.5 rebounds at Texas Tech. Wade calls him a “nightmare matchup” — skilled, smart, and physically tough.
- Terrance Arcenaux (6-6, So.): Transferred from Houston after battling through an Achilles injury in 2022-23. He logged real minutes last season (20.3 per game in 40 appearances). If fully healthy, he brings defensive toughness and upside.
- Jerry Deng (6-7, So.): Comes from Florida State. Didn’t leave a major impression but is mobile and can shoot — perhaps better suited for Wade’s system than Leonard Hamilton’s.
- Colt Langdon (6-6, Fr.): Raleigh native and Millbrook High standout, where he scored 1,758 points before reclassifying and redshirting at Butler. Known as a gritty competitor who does the little things. A longer-term project with real upside.
- Ven-Allen Lubin (6-8, So.): A big pickup — literally and symbolically — from archrival UNC. He found his stride in Chapel Hill before transferring, and Wade will certainly find a way to make use of his physical tools.
The Freshman Class
Wade also brings in three intriguing freshmen:
- Paul Mbiya (6-11): Played three years in France. He’s a bit of a mystery but could start right away if he rebounds and defends. Might be further along than expected.
- Zymicah “Mikey” Wilkins (6-9): Originally signed under Kevin Keatts, out of Christ School — the alma mater of the Plumlee brothers. His coach called him “a unicorn” who can play anywhere and do anything. Tremendous team-first mentality.
- Matthew Able (6-5): Nearly a Top 20 national prospect. Flipped from Miami after Jim Larrañaga retired. A versatile guard with high potential — early minutes are possible if he defends and adjusts quickly.
A Brand-New Team
This is the portal era in full display: a completely transformed roster in a matter of months. That volatility can produce magic — see Duke last season — but also chaos. Team chemistry is unpredictable when everything is new.
Still, Wade has talent and depth, and he’s proven he can coach. The lingering question isn’t about Xs and Os — it’s whether Wade can keep things clean. His comment that “NIL stands for ‘now it’s legal’” is telling, considering the recruiting scandal that ended his tenure at LSU.
And while we’re not suggesting wrongdoing here, it’s worth noting that tampering and academic fraud remain off-limits. Wade has a history of walking the line, and that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
The Triangle Shifts?
This roster — and its potential — represents something we haven’t seen in decades: the possibility of UNC finishing third-best in the Triangle.
Let’s revisit the historical arc:
- Everett Case put NC State on the map in 1946.
- UNC responded with Frank McGuire in 1952, winning it all in 1957.
- Dean Smith took over in 1961 and built a dynasty.
- Vic Bubas led Duke’s rise in the 1960s.
- Norm Sloan and David Thompson made State legendary in the ’70s.
- Jim Valvano delivered a title in 1983.
- Mike Krzyzewski elevated Duke into a modern juggernaut from the mid-1980s on.
Since the early ’60s, with the exception of the Matt Doherty disaster, UNC has rarely been the worst of the Triangle’s Big Three. But that may now be on the table.
Lubin’s transfer — after finally finding a role at UNC — raises eyebrows. Combine that with former Heels Elliot Cadeau, Drake Powell, and Caleb Love all exiting amid rumblings of dissatisfaction, and you begin to see a pattern of player unhappiness under Hubert Davis.
If Wade outperforms Davis in Year One — and especially if Lubin thrives in Raleigh — pressure will mount. And Davis’ boss, Bubba Cunningham, already facing scrutiny thanks to the Belichick-Jordon Hudson media frenzy, could be under the microscope himself.
That brings us to a final, uncomfortable reality for UNC:
The Dean Smith coaching tree is nearly extinct. And if Davis struggles again, do you let this AD hire the next coach?
It’s hard to imagine.
A Turning Point?
If things unravel in Chapel Hill and NC State rises as expected, we could be on the brink of something historic — a full reset at UNC, and a true power shift in the Triangle.
Stay tuned. This season could be a lot more than just basketball.
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