Alright, fine — as much as I despise ESPN’s constant self-serving content and shameless SEC bias, I’ll happily weaponize their own bracketology when it suits the Pack.
Wolfpack Lands as No. 6 Seed in Charlie Creme’s Latest Projection — But They’re Still Chasing a Hosting Regional
ESPN’s Charlie Creme dropped his latest bracketology update, and NC State is slotted as a No. 6 seed in the East Lansing region.
Projected first-round matchup:
- 11 Gonzaga vs. 6 NC State
- 3 Michigan State (host) vs. 14 Idaho
That sets up a potential second-round date with the Spartans on their home floor in East Lansing — tough, but far from impossible for a Wolfpack team that’s already shown it can win on the road against quality opponents.
From Raleigh’s perspective, a 6-seed is solid. It keeps them in the field with a winnable opener and gives them a legitimate shot to advance. But this group isn’t settling.
NC State is still very much in the hunt for a top-16 seed — the magic number that earns a hosting regional for the first and second rounds. Only the top 16 teams in the country (the No. 1–4 seeds in each of the four regions) get to host those early games on their own court. Right now the metrics are right there with them: NET #24, RPI #25, ELO #25, and the nation’s 13th-toughest strength of schedule. A few more quality wins in the final stretch of ACC play (starting with that huge televised game at Notre Dame this Sunday) could easily push them over the line.
This is a resilient, gritty bunch that has already bounced back from tough losses and delivered statement road wins. They know what’s at stake. A hosting site in March would be massive — home crowds, familiar surroundings, and a huge edge before the Sweet 16.
East Lansing is the current projection. Hosting is still the goal.
The Wolfpack are built for both.
Let’s keep climbing. The tournament is coming, and the Pack is ready.
Go Pack!
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