NC State back in Top 25, latest gain in Keatts' overhaul

Published Feb. 7, 2023 4:12 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Kevin Keatts believed he could change North Carolina State's trajectory. He's being proven right with the 22nd-ranked Wolfpack back in the AP Top 25.

N.C. State cracked the rankings for the first time in four years Monday entering Tuesday's trip to No. 8 Virginia. That's one of six ranked-vs-ranked games this week on the Top 25 schedule, and it marks the start of a three-game road swing for the Wolfpack.

“We are trying to be the best version of ourselves," Keatts told The Associated Press. "After every game, we talk about how we can improve from game to game. But it's not one of those motivational things where we've said, 'Hey, you've got to get to the Top 25.'

“We've said, ‘Let’s just keep winning and if you keep winning, we'll see what happens.'”

N.C. State (19-5, 9-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) has won eight of nine, including home wins against then-ranked Duke and No. 19 Miami.

The surge started with the return of sophomore NBA prospect Terquavion Smith (18.5 points per game) to the perimeter, but transfer-portal additions in point guard Jarkel Joiner (16.2 points) and soft-touch big man D.J. Burns Jr. (12.1) have been critical. There was also a coaching-staff overhaul.

“I looked at everything from top to bottom,” Keatts said, “starting with myself.”

It all came after bumpy years that put his long-term future at N.C. State in question.

The Wolfpack made the NCAA Tournament in his first year (2018), but fell on the wrong side of the bubble in 2019. They were positioned to return in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the event. Then i njuries to key players followed for two years, with last season's young team posting his first losing record.

There was also the federal corruption investigation into college basketball, ensnaring N.C. State among several programs. That case hung over the entirety of Keatts' tenure — becoming public in 2017 roughly six months after he was hired — before finally reaching resolution in December 2021.

Keatts' team entered the week a game out of the ACC lead. And Monday marked the first time since December 1982 that N.C. State is ranked while nearby powers Duke and North Carolina are not.

The Wolfpack could get a boost with the return of La Salle transfer wing Jack Clark, who is day-to-day with a core-muscle injury that has sidelined him since late December. It's unclear when or even if they'll get back Utah transfer post Dusan Mahorcic, who dislocated his kneecap in December.

Still, Keatts said he's grateful for the support from school leadership on the changes. Now it's time to see what's ahead.

“My satisfaction is to be able to see (the players) get some recognition for all their hard work on the court,” Keatts said of the ranking, “and that it's paying off for them.”

NEXT UP FOR NO. 1

Purdue held the No. 1 spot despite losing at No. 18 Indiana over the weekend. The Boilermakers (22-2, 11-2 Big Ten) host Iowa on Thursday before visiting Northwestern on Sunday.

Also in the Big Ten, the Hoosiers host No. 24 Rutgers on Tuesday.

IN THE BIG EAST

No. 21 Connecticut has a demanding week.

The Huskies (18-6, 7-6) host No. 10 Marquette on Tuesday, then visit No. 23 Creighton — which was ranked as high as No. 7 early this season — on Saturday.

UConn started 14-0 before losing six of eight, though the Huskies are coming off wins against DePaul and Georgetown.

IN THE BIG 12

No. 17 TCU has its own doubleheader against ranked conference teams. The Horned Frogs (17-6, 6-4) visit No. 12 Kansas State on Tuesday, then return home Saturday to host No. 14 Baylor.

TCU has lost five of nine dating to early January.

WATCH LIST

Florida Atlantic led the vote-getters among unranked teams.

The Owls (22-2, 12-1 Conference USA) saw the end of their 20-game winning streak last week at UAB, knocking Dusty May's squad out of the poll. Florida Atlantic hosts Rice and Louisiana Tech later this week.

Next up is Duke, which entered the week with two road games against ranked teams. But the Blue Devils (17-7, 8-5 ACC) lost badly at Miami on Monday night fresh off an emotional rivalry win against UNC, and next visit Virginia on Saturday.

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Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap

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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25