Kevin Keatts’ seat has been feeling hot at NC State, but word from a big-time broadcaster has got the Wolfpack crowd talking. The season is going wild, and now everybody’s wondering what’s next for Coach Keatts and the Pack.

Yes, NC State has hit a rough patch in the ACC, sitting at No. 16 after a disappointing stretch. The former ACC Tournament champions finally snapped a nine-game losing streak with a 70-62 win over Boston College, offering a much-needed spark.

Basketball analyst Brian Geisinger joined the Adam Gold Show to break down the victory, acknowledging BC’s struggles but noting that it was still one of NC State’s best two-way performances of the season. “I mean, it comes with the obvious caveat of, you know, it was Boston College… but I thought it was one of State’s best two-way performances of the season,” Geisinger said.

The Wolfpack forced 14 turnovers while committing just five of their own, flipping them into a 15-3 scoring edge. Jayden Taylor’s 19 points fueled their strong start, and while their 39% shooting wasn’t eye-catching, it was their most efficient offensive game in weeks.

Despite NC State’s struggles, head coach Kevin Keatts’ job remains secure, thanks to his recent contract extension. The Wolfpack’s ACC Tournament title last season triggered a two-year extension, keeping Keatts in Raleigh through 2030. Along with job security, the championship also came with a $100,000 bonus and a $400,000 raise, bumping his annual salary to $3.1 million starting next season.

Meanwhile, Adam Gold weighed in on North Carolina’s tournament chances, saying, “I believe that if North Carolina can win all of their remaining games other than the Duke one and maybe win at least once in the ACC Tournament, I think they’re an NCAA Tournament team.”

For NC State, however, the path is even tougher. To keep any postseason hopes alive, they’ll first have to get past a No. 6-ranked UNC squad on the road—a daunting challenge given their recent struggles.

NC State vs. UNC: Wolfpack Seeks Redemption

Both teams have a lot on the line, but their strengths and weaknesses couldn’t be more different. NC State’s got lockdown defense but can’t score for nothing, while UNC can shoot lights out but their defense is flaky. With postseason hopes hanging in the balance, this matchup carries plenty of weight—especially for the Wolfpack, who have little room for error.

Their 63-61 loss to UNC in January marked the start of a brutal nine-game losing streak, the longest under Kevin Keatts and tied for the worst in program history. Since that game, NC State has gone 1-8, often finding itself in close battles but unable to close them out. In that stretch, they lost three games by a single possession and held leads in eight matchups—including seven in the second half—only to fall short.

History isn’t on NC State’s side either. UNC leads the all-time series 167-81, including a dominant 82-23 record at home. The Tar Heels have won 32 of the last 39 meetings and are 31-7 against NC State at the Smith Center. The last time the Wolfpack played in Chapel Hill, they blew a nine-point halftime lead and fell 79-70.

Kevin Keatts’ contract security provides a glimmer of stability. However, the road ahead remains challenging, with a crucial showdown against UNC looming. The Wolfpack must prove they can close out games and compete against top teams to salvage their season. With speculation swirling and history against them, this game could define their path forward.