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NC State Declines “Vegas 16” Option–SEASON OVER

By A. Zach Williams

Mar 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Anthony Barber (12) reacts after missing a shot in the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during day two of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. Duke Blue Devils defeated North Carolina State Wolfpack 92-89. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Anthony Barber (12) reacts after missing a shot in the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during day two of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. Duke Blue Devils defeated North Carolina State Wolfpack 92-89. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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NC State declined the Las Vegas 16 Tournament option.

After a tumultuous season that had more ups than downs…the team opted to pack (pun intended)  it up until the 2016-17 season.   NC State finished the season with a disappointing record of 16-17 overall and a 5-13 Atlantic Coast Conference record.

This is the first losing season (2nd in 19 years) of fifth-year head coach Mark Gottfried.   Making the season all the more difficult to swallow is the fact that it didn’t have to happen.  Had Mr. Basketball, Trevor Lacey returned for his senior season instead of opting for the NBA, the Wolfpack is a Top 25 team and in all probability makes the NCAA tournament again.

After the Wolfpack’s heroic game effort in their 92-89 loss to Duke on Wednesday in the ACC tournament, the school made the decision to end the misery.

Long considered the losers tournament, the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) did not offer an invite.  Rather than fall to a third tier postseason tournament, NC State chose to decline like several other schools have also done this week.

Now, the Wolfpack Nation will await all-conference guard Anthony “Cat” Barber’s NBA decision.

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Much like last season, the return of Barber will have a positive or a devastating effect should he choose not to return.  With four seniors returning next season… the addition of Barber with Terry Henderson, BeeJay Anya and Lennard Freeman make for a formidable unit.   Also added to the mix are the Martin twins, Abdul-Malik Abu, Maverick Rowan, Torin Dorn and an influx of quality young talent, the Wolfpack can rebound quickly.

That is… IF Barber returns.

Barber is projected to be a second-round NBA pick.  However, he should think wisely, for past Wolfpack early defections have not done well.  CJ Leslie and Trevor Lacey went undrafted in the 2013 and 2015 drafts respectively.  Barber has until May 25 to make a final decision.

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