Kevin Keatts is not a miracle worker, and I’ve noticed some teeth gnashing on this front, which isn’t fair; it’s also easy to devolve into that mode after the last couple of seasons. You don’t have to like everything that Keatts does—lord knows I don’t—but you do at least have to give him the benefit of perspective.
NC State won 16 games in 2016 and 15 in 2017, never managing to become a factor in the ACC. NC State finished last season ranked 109th in the Pomeroy Ratings with a lottery pick at point guard. Don’t forget how depressing those years were.