Will Wade, the freshly appointed head coach of NC State’s basketball team, has upended the status quo with his direct remarks about UNC’s basketball coach, Hubert Davis, and their misuse of Ven-Allen Lubin.
In his speech at a recent forum, Wade definitively and without mincing words accused UNC of being “too dumb to play him.” Therefore, he indicated high hopes for Lubin’s part in his team at NC State next season.
Will Wade’s High-Stakes Bet on Ven-Allen Lubin’s Performance
Sports analysts Tim Donnelly and Dennis Cox expressed significant concern about Wade’s public criticism, noting that his bold claims have created a high-stakes situation. Wade specifically stated that when Lubin plays 28+ minutes, “he averages 15 and 8,” and promised NC State fans that, unlike UNC, he would give Lubin sufficient playing time to reach these numbers.
“If you don’t play Ven Lubin, you’re just doing the same thing that the other coach that you ripped on did,” cautioned the analysts, highlighting Wade’s pressure on himself. Statistics show Lubin averaged 8.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game at UNC last season, shooting an impressive 68.4% from the field.
Analysis hints that Wade’s argument about Lubin’s performance in extended playing time is supported to a certain extent. Should the player get 28 minutes on the floor and be as productive as he was at UNC, Lubin’s potential statistical line would be something in the region of 12.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, yet below Wade’s word of 15 and 8.
The analysts compared Wade’s situation to that of shot blockers who occasionally get dunked on but must keep protecting the rim. “This one might work out for Will Wade. It might not. You just have to win a lot more of these than you lose and you will continue to build your brand,” they noted.
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Wade’s history of bold statements isn’t surprising considering his coaching background. After being fired from LSU amid NCAA recruiting violations, Wade rebuilt his reputation at McNeese State, leading them to a remarkable 30-3 record before taking the NC State job.
This controversy adds fuel to the historic NC State-UNC rivalry. The Wolfpack has traditionally struggled against the Tar Heels, winning just 51 of 172 meetings since 1954. With Lubin becoming one of the rare players to transfer directly between the rival schools, all eyes will be on his performance in the upcoming season.
Wade’s credibility now hinges on his ability to deliver on his promises. As the analysts emphasized, Wade has only two acceptable outcomes: either Lubin produces at the level Wade promised, or someone better takes his minutes; otherwise, Wade risks looking “foolish” for the very criticism he leveled at Davis.
