Hosted by R. Cory Smith and Michael Clark, the Pack Pride Podcast is the official podcast of Pack Pride. A syndicated partner of 247Sports, Pack Pride is an independent publication that brings you the latest on NC State athletics. You can find us at www.PackPride.com.

The NC State women's basketball program has been one of the best in the country for the last several years. Last week, the rich got even richer with two former 5-star guards in Madison Hayes and Diamond Johnson joining the program -- along with three senior starters returning.

Alec Sawyer and Cory Smith break down the roster moves, expectations for next season and how lineups might look once the season gets underway.


NC State completed its spring camp on Saturday afternoon with the first Spring Game in two years, with the Red team coming away with a 37-17 win over the White team. Michael and Cory take a look back on the performances on both sides of the ball in the showcase game.

How did Devin Leary perform in his first live action since October? Who were the standouts on offense and defense? Which young players made a name for themselves?


The start of the regular season is still months away, but NC State fans will get their first taste of the 2021 football season on Saturday. With the Spring Game just over 24 hours away, Cory and Michael preview what Wolfpack Nation should expect when the game kicks off.

What should Pack fans expect from Devin Leary? Who will emerge between Ben Finley and Aaron McLaughlin? Who are the offensive and defensive players to watch? We break it all down in the Pack Pride Podcast.


NC State salvaged one win in the series over the weekend against Clemson, but routed Appalachian State to earn win No. 900 for Elliott Avent. Alec and Andrew recap the week for the Pack9, look back on Avent's big win and look ahead to the BC series this weekend.

The guys also hand out their midseason awards, take a look at players who need to step up down the stretch and more in the final segment of the show.


Over the last several years, the Icepack hockey team has emerged as one of the best club hockey programs in the ACCHL and the entire country. First-year head coach Tim Healy joins James and Cory to discuss the team's season, winning a third straight ACC title, support from the Wolfpack and heading to Nationals.

We also break down offseason news for men's and women's basketball, the NC State spring game and more in the final segment.

Direct download: Pack_Pride_Weekly_Podcast_ep_81.mp3
Category:Pack Pride Podcast -- posted at: 1:11pm EDT

On this week's episode, former NC State shortstop and first-round pick Will Wilson joins the show to break down his spring camp, teaming up with several former Pack9 teammates with the Giants and much more!

NC State clinched its first ACC series win of the season in dominant fashion, sweeping UNC-Chapel Hill on the road along with two more wins over UNCW and UNCG in the last week. Alec and Andrew recap the entire week and what it means heading into the Clemson series -- and preview the MLB season for several Pack Pros.


NC State wrapped up the 2020-21 seasons for both men's and women's basketball in the last week with losses in the postseason. Cory and James take a look back on the losses, the seasons as a whole for both programs and what comes next this offseason and next year for each.

We also look forward to the spring game in less than two weeks, give an update on spring camp to this point and wrap things up with discussion about NC State's huge series in Chapel Hill and why Pack 9 fans shouldn't lose faith just yet.

Direct download: Pack_Pride_Weekly_Podcast_ep_80.mp3
Category:Pack Pride Podcast -- posted at: 1:28pm EDT

Despite several opportunities to get back into the game late, NC State was unable to take down Colorado State in a 65-61 loss in the NIT quarterfinals. Cory and Miles take a look back on the loss to the Rams, including a look ahead to the offseason.

What happened on the final possession for the Pack? How much did the struggles of the freshmen contribute to the loss? What will be D.J. Funderburk's lasting legacy with State? Will there be change ahead to the roster and what comes next for the program?


When Andrew Knizner came to NC State, he had never played catcher a day in his life. Now a backup to Yadier Molina for the Cardinals on the Opening Day roster, Knizner joined Alec and Andrew to detail his spring training, catching at NC State, learning from Molina and much more!

NC State baseball finally got back on track this week with a win over UNCW, but has its hands full this weekend. The guys preview the upcoming series in Chapel Hill to close out the show.


Coming off a wild week for NC State Athletics that included multiple postseason victories, James and Cory are joined by a coach that collected the most hardware -- Braden Holloway. The swimming & diving head coach breaks down the record-setting weekend for the women's program and looks forward to the men's championships this week.

Cory and James also recap the Pack's wins in the NCAA Tournament for WBB, victory in the NIT for MBB -- and preview the week ahead for both -- along with a look back on wrestling's sixth-place finish in the NCAA Championships.

Direct download: Pack_Pride_Weekly_Podcast_ep_79.mp3
Category:Pack Pride Podcast -- posted at: 9:39am EDT

NC State got up early and never looked back in a 75-61 win over Davidson in the NIT opener. Miles and Cory take a look back on the Pack's big win to advance to the quarterfinals next Saturday.

What led to the frontcourt success for D.J. Funderburk and Manny Bates? How effective were the freshmen guards in their first postseason game? Just how important is Jericole Hellems' success to this team? What's next for the Pack in the NIT?


It's been another eventful week for NC State basketball, with the women earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and the men's team accepting a berth to the NIT. Chris Corchiani joins James and Cory to discuss the state of the men's team, his thoughts on the freshmen guards, Archie Miller being fired and much more.

James and Cory also go in depth on the postseason berths for NC State on the second half of the podcast.

Direct download: Pack_Pride_Weekly_Podcast_ep_78.mp3
Category:Pack Pride Podcast -- posted at: 12:12pm EDT

NC State baseball has produced several stars across the baseball landscape, but few have risen up the coaching ranks as rapidly as former infielder Will Wilson. The Durham Bulls hitting coach spoke with Andrew and Alec about the analytics of hitting, his time in Raleigh, the impact of COVID on minor leaguers and more.

We also wrap up last weekend's series against Miami and how critical this weekend's series at Duke becomes to get back on track.


For the third time this season, NC State was unable to finish against Syracuse in an 89-68 loss in Greensboro. Miles and Cory take a look back on the defeat that knocks the Pack out of the ACC Tournament and potentially the rest of the postseason.

What happened to the Wolfpack in the second half? Why did State's offense struggle to find any consistency against Cuse? Is this the end of the season for the Pack or is an NIT bid in the future?


NC State will be returning a ton of talent in spring camp, but one player heading to the NFL is former DT Alim McNeill. The future NFL stud joins Cory and James live from Amedeo's to discuss his time with the Pack, preparing for the NFL Draft, his thoughts on State women's basketball and much more!

We also discuss the Wolfpack defending the ACC Tournament title in women's basketball and preview the path ahead for the men's basketball program.

Direct download: Pack_Pride_Weekly_Podcast_ep_77.mp3
Category:Pack Pride Podcast -- posted at: 12:43pm EDT