For the first time in a while, the Old Barn was rocking again.
The band played, students danced and the cheerleaders cheered, meaning that Reynolds Coliseum and N.C. State basketball was back.
Wolfpack basketball fans missed “Primetime with the Pack” last season due to COVID. Even in their masks and with limited capacity, Reynolds was rocking.
The N.C. State men’s and women’s basketball teams were introduced to Wolfpack nation, in an event that was part concert, part basketball, all excitement.
Even before the teams were introduced, the fans cheered every chance they got; for the band, for the dance team, just because they were back in Reynolds again. Once the introductions started, the roof really came off the place.
Coming out on the big stage to the big lights and pyrotechnics, the players tossed T-shirts and greeted the crowd. The players danced, dunked and played competitive games. The real games, for both squads, start next month.
The women, coming off back-to-back ACC tournament titles, open the season on Nov. 9 against South Carolina. The men start the season the same day against Bucknell.
N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith is introduced during the Primetime with the Pack event at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, October 14, 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Breon Pass (10) slams in two during the slam dunk competition during the Primetime with the Pack event at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, October 14, 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
From left, N.C. State’s Madison Hayes (21), Jada Boyd (5), Jakia Brown-Turner (11) and Elissa Cunane (33) watch to see if a half court shot fall during Primetime with the Pack at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, October 14, 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Madison Hayes (21), Cam Hayes (3) and Dereon Seabron (1) celebrate after making a half-court shot during the Primetime with the Pack event at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, October 14, 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Kayla Jones (25) is introduced during Primetime with the Pack at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, October 14, 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) gets ready for the dance competition duringPrimetime with the Pack at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, October 14, 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Manny Bates (15) dances with the fans during Primetime with the Pack at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, October 14, 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Cam Hayes (3), Manny Bates (15), Chase Graham (12) and Greg Gantt (23) pose for a photo during Primetime with the Pack at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, October 14, 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) participates in the slam dunk contest during Primetime with the Pack at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, October 14, 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Cam Hayes (3) and N.C. State’s Chase Graham (12) and the teams dance during Primetime with the Pack at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, October 14, 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) celebrates after making a slam during Primetime with the Pack at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, October 14, 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Aziaha James (10) celebrates after the dance competition during Primetime with the Pack at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, October 14, 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Manny Bates (15) is introduced during Primetime with the Pack at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, October 14, 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Breon Pass (10) and Terquavion Smith (0) celebrate after hitting a half-court shot during Primetime with the Pack at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, October 14, 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
This story was originally published October 14, 2021 at 8:48 PM.
Sports reporter Jonas Pope IV has covered college recruiting, high school sports, NC Central, NC State and the ACC for The Herald-Sun and The News & Observer.
