Today we continue our top 17 in 2017 for Wolfpack sports with the middle of the order at 10-6, with some potential program-altering moves coming on this part of the list.
10. Men’s soccer upsets No. 3 Clemson in Kiefer’s first ACC game: It took new men’s soccer head coach George Kiefer just three games, and only one conference tilt, to pick up a signature win. The Pack took down the undefeated and third-ranked Clemson Tigers, 1-0, at Dail Soccer Stadium on Sept. 8.
Freshman forward Manny Perez, who was named ACC Freshman of the Year following the season after leading the Pack with five goals, scored the game’s only goal just seven minutes in to push the Pack past the Tigers, who had lost in the Elite Eight the year before. It was NC State’s first win over Clemson since 2008.
For Kiefer, the win marked a momentous start to his NC State career and kick-started what would become the Pack’s best season in recent memory, culminating in State’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2009.
9. Wolfpack wins at Cameron Indoor for first time since 1995: The highlight of the 2016-17 NC State men’s basketball season was, without a doubt, a stunning upset of No. 17 Duke in Cameron Indoor Stadium. The victory marked the first win against the Blue Devils in Durham since Jan. 18, 1995.
Freshman point guard Dennis Smith Jr. took over the game down the stretch, scoring or assisting on the Pack’s final 16 points. Smith was arguably more exciting to watch than the game as a whole. He scored 32 points on 55.5 percent shooting, while dishing six assists and notching two steals.
However, the steal that has been cemented in Wolfpack history is Smith’s second with under two seconds remaining. Smith stole the ball from now-Boston Celtic forward Jayson Tatum, dribbled down the court and as time expired, Smith threw down an emphatic tomahawk dunk to cap off the historic win.
8. Volleyball wins first NCAA tournament game in program history: After a breakout season under head coach Linda Hampton-Keith that saw the team finish fourth in the ACC with 15 conference victories, NC State volleyball earned its first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2012. The Wolfpack beat Oregon State three sets to two in the first round for its first NCAA volleyball tournament victory in the history of the program.
As it had been all season, the Pack was led by the the trio of graduate Bree Bailey, senior Julia Brown and freshman Melissa Evans with 22, 19 and 15 kills respectively in its historic win. NC State’s run came to an end with a loss to No. 2 Texas in the round of 32, but it was still a season to remember for Wolfpack volleyball.
7. Doeren turns down Tennessee, signs extension: After head coach Dave Doeren led Wolfpack football to the best season of his five-year tenure, finishing at 8-4 overall in the regular season and 6-2 in the ACC, the most conference wins since 1994, Wolfpack Nation found itself ablaze with speculation that its head coach would ply his trade elsewhere in 2018.
After Doeren was first connected to the Ole Miss job, rumors were rampant during the final week of November that he was considering taking the vacant job at Tennessee. All of that speculation was put to bed when Director of Athletics Debbie Yow signed Doeren to a five-year, $3 million per year contract extension.
The Pack retains the head coach that brought the program up from no ACC wins in his first year to six this year, with a proven ability to develop players evidenced by huge senior seasons from top players such as defensive end Bradley Chubb and all-purpose back Jaylen Samuels. Doeren is a strong recruiter as well, with the Pack’s 2018 class that includes four four-star recruits coming in at No. 4 in the ACC and No. 24 in the country, per 247sports. With its leader locked in long term, Pack football can continue to build on the growth the program showed this year.
6. UNC-Wilmington’s Kevin Keatts replaces Mark Gottfried: Not only was it a huge moment that Gottfried, who led NC State to four NCAA tournament appearances and two Sweet 16’s in six years, was terminated, but that it was announced to the public before the 2016-17 season had concluded.
Former Seahawks coach Kevin Keatts was hired on March 17 and became the 20th coach in program history, beginning a new era of NC State basketball. Keatts got to work fast, recruiting Lavar Batts Jr., Allerik Freeman, Sam Hunt, C.J. Bryce, Devon Daniels and Braxton Beverly.
Keatts’ style of full-court press and commitment to defensive intensity has already been popular among Wolfpack fans, and the Pack already has a signature win this season, knocking off, at the time, No. 2 Arizona in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament.
Head coach Dave Doeren thanks fans for their attendance after the loss to Clemson on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack lost 38-31.
