Sports Illustrated’s projection system is a little more optimistic about NC State this preseason than are the Pomeroy Ratings. SI has NC State at No. 79 to begin the season, 30 spots ahead of where they landed in the Pomeroy Ratings.
SI is more optimistic about State both offensively and defensively: they have State’s offense at No. 55 (vs. No. 89 in KenPom) and its defense at No. 116 (vs. No. 149). That’s not surprising given that earlier this offseason SI’s projections had NC State winning seven conference games, while the Pomeroy Ratings are only expecting four wins.