Locked On ACC - Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast - REACTION: North Carolina SNEAKS IN March Madness + Louisville SCREWED By Committee

Starting point is 00:00:00 North Carolina is in, and everyone is thrilled about it. You are Locked on ACC, your daily podcast on the Atlantic Coast Conference. Part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day. Hello, everyone, and welcome into Locked on ACC. I'm Jackson Holzer, the host of Locked on Syracuse, filling in for Alex Dono. Normally the host of Locked on Cainz. He is on vacation. We wish him nothing but the best.

Starting point is 00:00:36 And he will be back soon to host Locked on ACC. Of course, we are always joined by Kenton Gibbs, former NC State defensive tackle, and the host of Locked-on Wolfpack alongside Grayson Boone. Yesterday was selection Sunday. North Carolina was on the bubble and they got in. Plus Louisville, an eight seed? Really?

Starting point is 00:01:03 and after all that discussion about the bracket, Will Wade, is he coming to NC State or is he not? All that and more here on this edition of Locked-on ACC. And this episode is brought to you by Fanduel. Right now, new customers can get $200 in bonus bets when your first $5 bet wins. UNC, an 11-seed play in San Diego State Tuesday at 9.10 p.m. Eastern. and what was your reaction to seeing North Carolina making the tournament? I told you. I told you all on the squad.

Starting point is 00:01:38 Y'all didn't believe me. I said, UNC is going to get in. Why are we doing this thing of as long as they don't absolutely wet the bed down the stretch? Which they did. They did, right? You held court or held serve a little bit against Duke. You made a competitive game. Despite the fact that I punched in that game, it looked like the doors were going to be blown off there.

Starting point is 00:01:58 They did good enough in the tournament. they weren't a first round exit as soon as their first game came in. I knew if it was close and it was between UNC and anybody else, UNC was going to get it from the brand perspective. And just a quick question. Jackson, who's the chair of the committee again? Bubba Cunningham, he just so happens to be the athletic director of a certain school. And that certain school just so happens to be North Carolina.

Starting point is 00:02:29 Oh, okay. You can do with that information, what you will. You can do whatever you want with it. But I will also say this. I will also say this, right? Because everybody who knows me knows, you know, there is no love loss here for the target. However, however, Quad 1 wins cannot be the only thing that matters. And by nearly every other metric, USC was in.

Starting point is 00:02:50 Like, that's just an objective fact, regardless of how you feel about USA. Because, again, there are very few people who have a lower opinion of UNC. in general, they're not doing. Okay? That's just the best. But you cannot take while one wins and make that your only metric for whether or not a team belongs.

Starting point is 00:03:11 It's like if we were looking at the college football playoff and said, well, the only thing that matters is if you won your conference. If you didn't win your conference, you shouldn't be in it. That's just all it is. There's only 12 teams. So with all these conferences we got, if you're not a conference champion, you shouldn't be in.

Starting point is 00:03:23 And it's like, well, wait a minute. What about the other things that go into it? And again, to say they have, what two wins against the field that's a good point that's a valid point i can see that argument but again the argument that most people are going with for unc not being in oh they're one in 10 or one and nine or whatever it is against quad one and it's like that's one part of the puzzle nothing in life almost nothing in life rather is made up solely of how did you do in this one thing and one thing on if you didn't do good in this one thing and one thing only you're you don't

Starting point is 00:03:59 belong. So much as many people are upset about UNC, as much as NC state fans are going to rag me for this one, and I know, I, Wolfpack Nation, I gave three tendons to the program. What do you want for me? What more do you want for me? But I've got to be honest here and say, I'm not disappointed or upset about UNC's inclusion here. I understand why others are. I'm not going to pretend like that's not a thing. But UNC getting in is not the most egregious thing we've ever seen. To your point about the other metrics, I did some research before the show. here their net ranking and their Ken Palm ranking at the time of selection Sunday. And you're 100% right that, yeah, NC or North Carolina, excuse me, they got killed with

Starting point is 00:04:41 quad one. Yes. But as far as their net ranking, they were 36th in the net, 33rd in Ken Palm. You compare it to the two snubs. Who do you think the two snubs were? I mean, Indiana was a snub, right? West Virginia was the other one. Indiana was 54 in the net, 48 in Ken Palm.

Starting point is 00:05:02 West Virginia, 51 in the net, 53 in Ken Palm. So those metrics say that North Carolina was a better basketball team. And also here's the thing. I get people being upset that, oh, Bubba Cunningham, you know, he's the athletic director for North Carolina. it's a conspiracy to put North Carolina in. First of all, Kenton, we had this discussion off air, but we might as well bring it to public light, okay?

Starting point is 00:05:33 They were probably debating between two schools if we're really talking about big brands here, matter. Hey, West Virginia, get out, okay? It's really North Carolina and Indiana, all right? For sure. Second of all, Bubba Cunningham has to leave the room whenever North Carolina is brought up so that he cannot say his opinion.

Starting point is 00:05:52 Now, that being said, maybe when another bubble team is disgust, perhaps he can weigh in and say, hey, I don't think Indiana's very good. Wink, wink, wink. You know, I'm going to unofficially say I want my tar heels in. I mean, that could happen. I can't say my team is good, but I can say your team is bad. I can say their team stinks. I can't tell you that North Carolina should be in, but I can tell you that Indiana should not be in.

Starting point is 00:06:16 That could, I guess, happen. But in all seriousness, 36 of the net, 303 in Ken Palm. You look at Indiana and West Virginia, they're not close in either category. And here's the cherry on top of everything, Kenton. You're ready? Let's do it. Don't be on the bubble. You know, just win your games is always an option, ladies and gentlemen.

Starting point is 00:06:38 Don't be in the – don't put your – if you're putting your fate in the hands of the committee to put you in the tournament or not, sorry, I'm not going to cry for you. If North Carolina was let – I understand this is an ACC podcast. We are going to be biased towards our conference. I get it. If North Carolina was let out or was left off, you know what I'd be saying here on the podcast? Don't be on the bubble.

Starting point is 00:07:02 Tough luck. But the thing is, the thing is one thing that people can say, and people can talk a lot about Lockstone ACCC, but one thing that everybody can be, can point out every single episode and be consistent about in terms of Lockstone ACC,

Starting point is 00:07:15 when your damn games has been our consistent rally and cry for forever. That was our rallying cry when we said Florida State, got snubbed back when Candace was my coals. That was my rallying cry when we looked at last year's playoff and who did and didn't deserve to be there. And what's his name? Lane Kiffin's saying it's not like you're playing in different conferences. It's like different leagues.

Starting point is 00:07:37 My rallying cry is always win your ballgame and silence all the hoopla. If you win your ball games, you will get in. And so you cannot sit here to me and tell me you're on the fence, you're on the bracket about it or you're on the. the bubble of the bracket and then say, well, our case was so undeniable. The only teams that I ever see having that argument is some of the mid-majors that lose like five, six games all season and get left out. For them, I'm like, okay, my heart goes out to you because you did.

Starting point is 00:08:07 You did the thing. You won your damn game. You did what you were supposed to do, and you still did not get in. Okay. But if you're a 10, 12, 13 lost team, knock it off, knock it off, okay? I'm not going to sit here and cry for you. the same way I wouldn't cry for a two, three lost football team saying, why aren't we in? because you didn't win enough ball games, silly.

Starting point is 00:08:30 You didn't win enough ball games. That's it. Or you didn't look pretty enough in those days because style points do matter in college sports. Hate to break it to you all. That is a reality. I mean, that's part of the reason why the net and Ken Palm are the way they are. Style points are taken into account because there's so many teams that you have to juggle through and so many conferences and so many different records that there's,

Starting point is 00:08:52 there's got to be other ways that we can compare them besides, oh, this team won 20 games, this team 119. So surely the team that won 20 games is better than the team that won 19. Not necessarily the case because that's why we have the other advanced metrics. The lesson for everyone here is very simple. Win your damn games. Don't be on the bubble. It's that simple.

Starting point is 00:09:15 If you're projected a seven-seed or higher and you somehow miss the tournament, yeah, my heart will go out for you. That's really, I don't know what the heck happened in that regard. But if you're, Joe Lannardi says we're the last team in on Selection Sunday. Knock, you don't get out. Don't care. Do not care. We'll never care.

Starting point is 00:09:35 And again, even if it's NC State, which it has been since my time of grad's waiting for. 2020, it was Syracuse. We got in, but it was Syracuse. And you know what I said to NC State when it happened? Man, my heart goes out to y'all. But when you games? Oh, it sucks when your games. Yeah, that two point loss that you had against X team in January, yeah,

Starting point is 00:09:56 maybe if you don't blow the lead there, you'll be in the NCAA tournament. It's as simple as that. So North Carolina is in the field. Once again, they are an 11 seed playing team. They are playing San Diego State Tuesday at 9, 10 p.m. Eastern. And me and Kenton somehow agreed on that topic of conversation with North Carolina, which is very interesting. So coming up, we'll talk about.

Starting point is 00:10:20 the seating of Louisville, Clemson, and Duke, and we'll see if we have any more disagreement, or if we'll have any disagreements here on this show. So stick with us here on Locked-on, ACC. Eating healthy doesn't have to be complicated. With factor, you get chef-made, dietitian-approved meals that are ready to heat and eat in just two minutes so you can fuel your body without the hassle of cooking. Fact of meals arrive fresh, never frozen, and with 40 options across eight dietary preferences each week, you can customize your menu to fit your goals, whether that's calorie smart, protein plus, or keto. I love how Factor keeps you on track with healthy, delicious meals without the time-consuming prep.

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Starting point is 00:12:23 Of course, we are joined by Kenton Gibbs. As always, the host of Locked-on, Wolfpack, and former NC State defensive tackle. So we talked about North Carolina getting in. And now we'll talk about the seeds of the other ACC teams because there were three more ACC selections. To nobody's surprise, Duke is in, Clemson's in, and Louisville is in. The big topic of conversation, though, has got to be Louisville. Seated as an eight seat. What are your thoughts on that?

Starting point is 00:12:55 This is my problem with how these metrics and how these rankings work out because this ties back into our first segment in UNC getting in. You cannot say that a team like UNC did enough to get in and then at the same time say that Louisville is an 8C. That makes no sense to me. It is literally nonsensical to say, hey, the second best team in your conference, 8C, no better, no worse. but also we will grant you a team that's on the fringe that's on the bubble being in. Like that to me is a little bit nonsensical. And again, if we look at those same metrics that had UNC rank very favorably, they also very much so say Louisville did their big one, did fantastic things all season.

Starting point is 00:13:39 So I'm a little bit confused as to how that works out because again, you know, forget the whole, oh, what this team was last year, forget that. even if we're sticking to just this year, just what we saw this year, this was a team that was exponentially better than UNC in multiple points. This was a team that was flat out dominated conference. Let's just be honest, except for when Duke came to town, they were dominant in conference. They beat Clemson multiple times,

Starting point is 00:14:09 a team that was right ahead of them in this tournament. So it's a little bit confusing to me that Louisville is seated at an 8th when they have done what they've done all season. I mean, what we talk about just when your games, well, guess what Kelsey and Company did? One their damn games at a very, very high clip. How much more could you ask for them to do and how much more could they do to get better seating

Starting point is 00:14:34 than what we're seeing here? I really don't know. So you mentioned a lot of what I wanted to say, you know, beating Clemson twice, their strong conference record. Louisville was 18 and 2 in the regular season in the ACC. I understand the ACC wasn't great, but 18 and 2 in your conference has got to mean something, especially when you're beating Clemson, not only in the regular season, but in the

Starting point is 00:14:56 postseason, they were a five-seat, by the way. Do you know where Louisville was ranked in the final AP poll? I would guess, what, 13 or 14? They were 13. Okay. Yeah, that's awesome. Look, the AP poll and the bracket committee, two different things. We get. We, get it. How does a team, though, that's ranked 13th in the Associated Press get an eight seed? I saw something on Twitter where it had the last 10 to 15 number 13 overall teams in the AP poll prior to selection Sunday and where they were seated. And all of them were a five-seat or higher. I was going to say it might have been one six-seat in there maybe, but yeah, it doesn't make sense. Yeah. Like I get it.

Starting point is 00:15:46 It's not everything because Clemson was 10th in the AP poll and they were giving a five seed. But that's a little bit more forgiving there. I mean, did Clemson really deserve to get a three seed, which is where they would be at? Probably not. I would not have given them a three seed, but a five seed seems right. Louisville, I wouldn't have been mad if they were a five seed or. Not all. Like would anyone have been upset if Louisville was a five seed?

Starting point is 00:16:13 That's probably where they deserve to be. If you want to argue with- Even a six. I was about that. Even a six, I think, it's a little dicey, but I'm not mad. Yeah, once you get to a seven seat for Louisville, I'm like, okay, timeout here. And then you get an 8C Louisville and I go, all right, here we go. So basically, they penalized Louisville for being in the ACC, but then they reward North Carolina by getting them in.

Starting point is 00:16:33 That doesn't make any sense. Yes, yes. I don't get it at all. Whatever. You know what? If it's meant to be, it's meant to be. I think they got Creighton in their first game. and then if they beat Creighton, they got Auburn, right, probably.

Starting point is 00:16:48 So if Louisville is as good as they are supposed to be, then maybe they can beat both those teams. I mean, here's my thing. For me, it's not even about whether or not Louisville wins these two games, whether or not they're competitive against Auburn, whether or not, you know, whatever happens there. What I see more than anything else out of this is, again, at some point in time, you've got to make it make sense.

Starting point is 00:17:11 The math has to math. if Clemson is a 5C, how can a team that beat them twice, undefeated against them, right? This is not like we're talking Louisville Clemson and this is, oh, well, it was one game and you kind of, you never know, you know, these things kind of happen. Oh, Clemson was on the road. They went into the Yom Center and things happened in the Yom Center at a neutral side as well, also won the game. what more do you want from this team to earn the respect to be a higher seat? Now, yes, at this point, the seating's done, it's over, it's crying over spilled milk, when your damn ballgame.

Starting point is 00:17:52 But it's infuriating to me because, again, I just want this thing to make sense. I have not protested about UNC being. I have not, because I feel like they did enough according to the metrics, and I don't believe that Quad 1 wins is the only metric that should matter. I really and truly don't. So with that in mind, I'm fine with them being in. But with me being fine with them being in, I'm saying you need to give Louisville more love than an 8C.

Starting point is 00:18:18 Because again, what metrics show, hey, this was actually a team that was in the 40s or 50s and most things, but we kind of had to meet in the middle because they were a 13th overall or whatever the case may be. This is just shenanigans. It really is. It's nonsense by the committee. And again, a team that you talk about,

Starting point is 00:18:38 to win your ball games how's 27 to seven time you talk about winning your ball games how's 18 and two in conference side you're talking about winning your ball games i mean what what more could this team have done outside of go undefeated or get a win against dude don't that to me is the only two other means because you're beating multiple teams are they being significantly penalized because they lost the game to georgia tech that was their other conference laws i i guess i guess but Oklahoma, Ole Miss, at Kentucky, and Tennessee. Okay, so they're not better than some of the top teams. And I get, I don't know.

Starting point is 00:19:17 But to that end, if we look at multiple teams that got in and got higher seeds than them, they have worse losses. I agree. We're somehow in agreement again. See, and this is how you know the committee is up to shenanigans at debauchery, because me and Jackson and Hoser have not disagreed once this episode. That's how you know this committee. is completely up to a bunch of BS because this is ridiculous, man.

Starting point is 00:19:40 It's ridiculous that a 13 overall team, a team that went to its conference championship, regardless of how you feel about the conference, went to their conference championship, and lost a close game is now seen as like, you know, I mean, but like, are they in the end? I don't get it. But, you know, it is what it is. Louisville, just win your games now. That's simple.

Starting point is 00:20:08 All right. We can move on, touch on Clemson and Duke a little. Clemson, a five seed. Any thoughts, disagreements, concerns? Or are you okay with that? I would say Clems is rated right about where I'd expect him. I would say that they're right about where I expect to be sometime. Yep, I'm in agreement with you on that.

Starting point is 00:20:24 Duke is a one seed, as we all expected. Cooper Flagg, good news. He's supposed to be back for the tournament. They were second overall. They weren't first overall. Are you crying about that or are you okay with that? Oh, stop it. Stop it.

Starting point is 00:20:38 Oh, we're the second overall team. Oh, listen, I get it. Duke has been a team that has gotten better throughout the season. No offense or butts about it. You win your conference championship without multiple, you know, defensive player at a year in terms of the conference candidates and all that. And Molo Watson Brown going down and, you know, you're not having Cooper flag as well. I get it.

Starting point is 00:21:00 I get it. It's okay. You're still in one seat. You're still going to play a 16. And then after that, you're going to play an eight or nine. You know, and, and let's be real honest about this. The top overall seed is Auburn, correct? Yep.

Starting point is 00:21:15 If everything goes chalk, Auburn wins their first game. Who they play in the second game? Don't they play the winner of Louisville and Creighton? And who's the higher seed in that game? Louisville. So if everything goes chalk, you are looking at Auburn playing Louisville in round two. that to me my friends if i'm bruce pearl what the hell is this wait this is what this is our reward for being the number one overall seed we get a team that is badly under seeded here well you know

Starting point is 00:21:49 if i'm dup i'm like hey it's all right we want seed coming up we'll talk about the will wade saga kenton you're going to be in the spotlight here is he coming to nc state or is he not stick with us here on Locked on ACC. March Madness is here and Fandu is giving you the chance to get in on the action like never before. And right now new customers can get $200 in bonus bets when your first $5 bet wins. That's 200 extra bucks to use on everything from buzzer beaders to Cinderella stories and even who's cutting down the nets. With tournament games happening almost every day, there's always something exciting to bet on. So visit Fandu.com and get in on the college troops action all tournament long.

Starting point is 00:22:37 The NCAA tournament is here and so is the bracket breakdown. Locked-on Podcast Network and Amazon Fire TV channels are teaming up to deliver NCAA tournament coverage like never before. Watch studio shows featuring former players and Lockdown's local experts as they guide you through every upset, buzzer-beater, and bracket matchup. Stream it all for free on Amazon Fire TV channels. Search Bracket Breakdown to see it all for free. It's your team every day.

Starting point is 00:23:05 Jackson Hulter and Kenton Gibbs here on Lockdown. on ACC. We talked a lot about the bracket, North Carolina getting in, Louisville being too low of a seed. Clemson, I think we both agree. Five seed, that's perfectly fine. Duke, oh, they're not number one overall, but who really cares? They're still second overall in the country. But enough with the bracket breakdown right now. Okay, we got plenty of days, actually, to talk about the bracket. Because I'm filling in again on Tuesday. I'm filling in again on Wednesday for Alex Dono. Okay, everyone. Let's shift gears to Will Wade. Wade currently is the head coach of McNeese State. They are a 12C. They won their conference and they're getting

Starting point is 00:23:43 ready to actually play 5C Clemson on Thursday. But there's also rumors that he could be the head coach of NC State as soon as McNee State is eliminated. So Kenton, the floor is yours. What is going on with Will Wade and NC State? Well, I'm going to tell you all that my sources have told me that I can pretty much let rip here. We're in the end game now, as Tony Stark would say. We are are coming down the home stretch of this thing. And there are a lot of smoke screens coming up. There's a lot of talk about, well, what if Brownell leaves Clemson for Indiana and all that good stuff?

Starting point is 00:24:19 But here's the deal. When I tell you, this thing is literally at the two-yard line waiting on a tush-push, which is an elimination, at that quite literally is where this is. And if anything, I would say this, a lot of NC State fans seem to be worried. What if McNeese goes on a deep run, a lot like Shocka Smart did? When Shaka Smart had basically in everything except putting pin the paper agreed to be NC State's coach. And then Shaka Smart took a job elsewhere and all that good stuff. What if that happens again?

Starting point is 00:24:49 Well, how'd that work out for Shaka Smart? Just out of curiosity. You know, these things kind of happen as they do for a reason. Regardless of what's going on on the outside or not, the original talk, Boo Corrigan and Will Wade have reportedly met twice. Now, that's been reported by multiple places and my sources have told. you the same thing. With that being said, the first meeting was expectation and level setting in terms of the previous coach in NC State Kevin Keats had repeatedly reiterated. I was not properly supported in NIL to compete with these teams, which is mighty interesting seeing as

Starting point is 00:25:24 how NC State finished 16th out of 18 teams with ACC. And it's like, hmm, you think that you were the 16th best supported team in the ACC? Boy, do I have bad news for you. But with that being said, Will Wade is, for those of you who are big into the club scene, if you've ever seen when they say celebrity X, Y, or Z is coming to the club, and then all of a sudden, a place that's never had a cover charge, has a $20 cover fee, and all that good stuff. That's what's happened with NIL and donations at NC State. Now that Will Wade is said to be coming to the club, everybody in their mom is breaking out the big banks.

Starting point is 00:25:59 And NC State's new chancellor, Kevin Howe, lifelong Wolfpacker graduated from NC State for undergrad, way, way back in the 80s before Jackson and I were even thought up by our parents. He is allegedly a lot more interested in sports than outgoing Chancellor Randy Woodson, and he has drummed up by financial support and fundraising allegedly for Will Way to make sure everything works out for it. So the second meeting was Boo Corrigan basically confirming that, Boo Corrigan being NC State's athletic director saying, hey, listen, whatever your number is, we can get to that, plus a little land yop, as they would say down there in the Bay. So I look at this and I say to myself, this is pretty much a done deal, barring something insane.

Starting point is 00:26:39 Barring something absolutely out of this world happening. Obviously, there are always other dominoes out there. And people are talking about, well, what if Indiana doesn't get McCollum from Drake? And he ends up staying at Drake and then Brownell leaves for Indiana. And then Clemson's open. We'll wake up. That's a lot of dominoes that are still up in the air. when we're talking about something here with Will Wade and NC State that's already, this is it.

Starting point is 00:27:06 This is, again, down to the goal line, down to the details, what do you need? What are their specifics? So I'm not as worried as many wolf packers are. NIL is the new excuse for every head coach that has a poor season. NIL, I wasn't properly supported. Yeah, man, I don't care how much NIL you have. Missing the ACC tournament is unacceptable. I don't care if you have $0.00, I still think it's unacceptable to miss your conference tournament.

Starting point is 00:27:36 I think Will Wade would be a fantastic hire for NC State. But aside from that, so you mentioned something crazy happening. I mean, one thing that could happen is, you know, McNeese State goes on a deep run. You know, there's a Cinderella every year. There's a low seed that's going to make it every single year to a place that we don't think. You know, it sounds crazy to say that, hey, McNee State, go to the elite eight. Well, pretty much every single year a double-digit seed makes the elite eight. So you could pick your team and which one you think it's going to be, but why not McNee's State? Maybe it is them. So what happens if they do go on a deep run? I mean, what's the pivot for NC State if Will Wade ultimately sticks with McNee State because they go on some deep run?

Starting point is 00:28:16 Well, the pivot for NC State would be Justin Ganey, current assistant coach in Tennessee. He is a Wolfpack alum played under Herf Sendeck while he was at NC State. and he's a guy that has openly expressed his interest in his job. Everybody knows the Wolfpack is talking. He's openly acknowledged that he's talked to the Wolfpack. And he also knows that he is a kind of second option. He knows that. That's not really a secret.

Starting point is 00:28:41 I would urge Wolfpack Nation to be nicer to him because many people are like, oh, we don't get Will Wade, it's over. I'm asking for my donations to One Pack to be refunded all. I would urge folks to be nicer to him because I think he's a hell of a coach. I just wouldn't want to coach with no head coaching experience in this situation. But Justin Ganey has been fantastic at Tennessee. I mean, he's the head coach in waiting there because Coach Barnes is getting up there. And, you know, he's likely to be his successor if he doesn't move on there.

Starting point is 00:29:11 But if the dominoes fall in what I would say is a suboptimal way for NC State and it ends up to where Will Wade either stays there or goes to another job, I think Justin Ganey at that point becomes the very clear, like, it's him or bust, because every other coach that I've seen mentioned has been bad, to say the least. Like, I look at the other coaches connected to the NC State job, and I'm like, oh, oh, good heavens, you cannot trot this guy out there and say, hey, this is great. But I will warn you about one more thing, Jackson. From a member of the pepment. And shout out to Ms. Sis, we love your hero, lock on. she specifically tweeted about the pet band getting an email saying, we have to be on the ready and alert for a new coach announcement at NC State immediately.

Starting point is 00:30:04 So whoever it is, no, it's not doing quink, this is pretty much, like I said, it's virtually a done deal here. It's just not, you know, for legal reasons, you cannot make certain things official while guys are still coaching elsewhere. So it is very much so, like I said, hey, let me tell you something now. I'm putting up this one finger to symbolize. This is Dr. Strange. There's only one way that this thing should be going at this point in time.

Starting point is 00:30:32 And, you know, all directions are pointing to Will Waite. The flight trackers are pointing to them. The insiders, the insiders, the outsiders, you know, even the people who said, oh, Will Wade is out, have now had to come back and retract their statements saying that. Because, again, this is getting some serious, serious traction. Okay. Well, I mean, Hopefully they do make that hire soon because that thing called the transfer portal.

Starting point is 00:30:54 You ever heard of it? Yeah, that's opening up in exactly a week, March 24th. And you probably want to have a head coach on that date. Yeah, I agree with the other coach that you talked about from Tennessee. Yeah, you probably need to be a little bit nicer. But this is why I would love the will wait higher for NC State specifically. Syracuse, I wish you did something like NC State just did. But regardless, I talked about this on the SWAT.

Starting point is 00:31:23 There is too much in the conference. Well, let's just see what he can do. Let's see what this coach can do. Does he have it? Does he not have it? What is he? There's too much of that. And if we want this conference to be as good as it can be

Starting point is 00:31:39 and as good as it's been in the past, folks, coaching matters. And you have a guy in Will Wade who has done it. He's been there. He's done that. look at his success with McNee State. You think it's by accident? It's not by accident. He's a good coach. Go look at LSU with him and go look at LSU without him. Like the results are there. I understand that NIL is a major factor nowadays. It matters, of course, because you got to attract

Starting point is 00:32:08 the talent. But guess what? If NIL was everything it's made out to be, then, you know, why is Indiana going to be watching the NCAA tournament just like you and I? Yeah. They're watching the I'm just like you went. They're going to sit on their couch on Thursday and they can't wait to eat that popcorn. They're not going to be playing. You're not winning championships and everything. I don't know. I don't know.

Starting point is 00:32:28 Coaching still matters. Relationships still matter. Will Wade. I get he's got that baggage. But guess what? He basically got penalized for something that's legal nowadays, which is paying players. He was a man of the people and a man of the future, okay? He saw exploited laborers and said, you all are toyed.

Starting point is 00:32:45 Exactly. But these boys are doing the toiling in the field. they should get paid. They're doing the toilet on the court. The hardwood is not kind to their knees, so I will be kind to their pockets. Who could make a man like that? It's also funny because you're talking about NC State

Starting point is 00:33:00 and all the donations they're getting in anticipation for a Will Wade hire. Yeah, also folks, NIL donations, who do you think they come from? You think they only come from the university's pocket? Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, my friends. It comes from the fans, too, and the boosters, too. And you need to hire someone who,

Starting point is 00:33:18 people have confidence in. Because if you hire someone that people have confidence in, then guess what? They're going to be donating more money. It's like playing the stock market. You know, who do you want to invest in? You want to invest in Apple? Right? Because Apple's a very safe, stable company. You know that over the long run, they ain't going anywhere. You're going to see your money increase. Or would you like to invest in this new startup company or this startup company that's been here, you know, for six months and isn't doing so well? Yeah, the return can be great. The return on investment can be fantastic for that one, but you got a proven guy and Will Wade who's been there and done that. This would be a great hire for NC State. And for the sake of the conference,

Starting point is 00:33:57 I do hope that he is in the ACC next season. Absolutely. And before we get out of here, I know a lot of people are going to say, well, what about all these great coaches that retire? Look at those great coaches that retired out of the ACC. Look what they did beforehand. Many of them had success at a high level at major colleges beforehand. Everybody talks about Roy Williams, Roy Williams. He was a goal standard aces you go stard where real williams come from before he was at unc kansas kansas yes he wasn't in miller nowhere'sville division three college that he wasn't at beret college getting a couple of wins here and there even some of the legendary guys like like bayheim and coach tay yeah i mean i guess they were brand new to the job but that was in the 70s and 80s

Starting point is 00:34:45 So they had been doing it for a very, very long time. And by the way, Coach Tay is really an interesting case because I think he was almost fired after a few years. And he was one of Army's winning his coaches of all times still to this point. Like with all the respect, yes, Army is not major college basketball now. Back then, it was different. Army was a team that you had to look out for. So again, it's not the same. as telling me, Richard Patino is somebody that you want.

Starting point is 00:35:21 Get that nonsense out of here, man. Don't tell me, don't tell me about these guys. I'm with all due respect. I don't want to hear about Richard Petino. I want to hear about Archie Miller. I don't want, stop it. Stop. You want Rick Petino.

Starting point is 00:35:34 Hey now. Hey now. You know. You have no idea how many Syracuse people will come in my comment section and say, we need to hire Rick Petino as if that is ever going to happen. It's not going to happen. Same thing with NC State. I'm sorry to burst your bubble.

Starting point is 00:35:52 They ain't getting Rick Petino. It's okay. He's happy with St. John's. Yeah. He's not leaving. Why would he leave St. John's? Yeah. No, he's good.

Starting point is 00:36:01 What are they two seed in the tournament this year? I believe so. I believe so. I'm the ACC legend. Rick Patino. We like you, baby. We'll get out soon. But, you know, this conversation about St.

Starting point is 00:36:11 John's when I was picking them in my bracket, they are such a boom or bust team for me this year. They're either going to make some run to the final four or they are going to be out in the round of 32. Like I don't see any in between with that St. John's team. I agree. And you know, Rick Patino is the greatest example to me of how different college basketball in the NBA are. Rick Patino goes out and gets guys with offensive talent. And in terms of his offensive system, everybody talks about what sets do coaches run? I challenge everybody. Name me five cents. from Rick Petino. And I'm not out of bounds sets.

Starting point is 00:36:44 Name me five sets that that man runs on a regular and tell me this is why he succeeds. Offensively, of course. You can't. You know why? Because he hangs his head on. Everybody on this team is going to get in the stance and you're going to place the damn defense.

Starting point is 00:36:57 And you're going to rebound that ball. We're going to rebound as a team. Those are the two things that we're going to do. Offense, do whatever you all want. But defense, we're going to lock it down and we're going to rebound and we're going to be all right. And it has worked out so well for him. In the NBA, you can do no system.

Starting point is 00:37:10 It doesn't matter how. You got the greatest defenders and rebounders the world this side of Mississippi. You still are going to find yourself as a playing at best team without guys who can fill it. You're 100% right. And by the way, Rick Bettino, another example of coaching matters. It matters. Go look at St. John's prior to Rick Bettino. They were some.

Starting point is 00:37:34 You know, they had so much success in the recent past. You know, you talk about the great teams of the 2010s? I mean, St. John Shirley was up there. and they were always getting elite talent and always had massive NIO. Of course, always. You know, MSG was always full in the stands whenever St. John's played a game, right, before Rick Bettino. Coaching matters.

Starting point is 00:37:56 I cannot, I cannot say it enough. It matters still. And I think Will Wade, once again, to get back on the topic of conversation, he would be fantastic for NC State. I'm Jackson Holzer, the host of Locked on Syracuse. That's Kenton Gives. the host of Lockdown Wolfpack, and we will be back tomorrow to talk more about the bracket and plus North Carolina gets ready for their playing game on Tuesday. Take care, everyone.

Locked On ACC - Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast - REACTION: North Carolina SNEAKS IN March Madness + Louisville SCREWED By Committee

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