NC State's Will Wade Speaks + Kara Lawson Named USA Women's Basketball Head Coach + Bruce Pearl Stepping Down

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Will Wade's press conference, Kara Lawson being named USA women's coach and Bruce Pearl stepping down.

NC State head basketball coach Will Wade stepped to the podium yesterday afternoon just minutes before his first practice for the 2025-26 season. Wade said the team is already better than he expected and he expects people will have to take NC State seriously “real quick.”  What are the expectations for The Pack?

Kara Lawson was recently named the head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Basketball Team for the 2025-28 cycle. In this role, she will lead Team USA in major international competitions, including the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Her appointment comes under the leadership of Sue Bird, the managing director of USA Basketball and she replaces Cheryl Reeve. Should Lawson be the coach or is there a better candidate for the job?

Bruce Pearl has officially stepped down as the head coach of Auburn University’s men’s basketball team. After leading the Tigers to their most successful season ever — a 32–6 record, a No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, an SEC regular-season title, and a Final Four appearance — Pearl announced that he no longer feels he can give 100% to the job. Taking over the head coaching position is his son, Steven Pearl, who has been a longtime assistant and most recently served as associate head coach. What is Pearl's legacy?