RALEIGH — Before embarking on a historic run to the Final Four, the 2024 NC State Wolfpack lost its final four games of the ACC season under coach Kevin Keatts. Two years later, with Will Wade at the helm, the Wolfpack suffered the same fate down the stretch. The common denominator between the two teams is a former walk-on turned fan-favorite: Jordan Snell.
While Snell might not be a contributor on the floor on a nightly basis, his leadership and knowledge of the program made him more valuable than many watching from afar could understand. Wade chose to keep him on board because of that, with Snell acting as a team captain throughout the 2025-26 campaign. Now, the Pack might have to lean on the senior guard even more.
Snell knows what it takes
Snell was a sophomore during the Wolfpack’s remarkable Final Four run, which began with five wins in five days at the ACC Tournament in Washington, D.C. The guard went through the celebrations before starting in NC State’s 85-84 loss to Stanford on Senior Day. It was bittersweet, but after the game, Snell explained that the season is far from over. He would know best.
“It was really cool,” Snell said. “I’ve been through three Senior Nights, so just seeing the older guys, you can’t really imagine yourself being in it. Coach told me yesterday that I was going to start. I was kind of just trying not to mess anything up out there. Obviously, you want to win, but I’m thankful for the opportunity I got to come. If anyone knows anything, I know the season is not over.”…