To return to the NCAA tournament, a team needs contributions from both returning players and incoming recruits. Here's a look at NC State and its chances of dancing again in 2016.
Quick references:
Possible 2015-16 starting five
G: Trevor Lacey
F: Caleb Martin
Who is lost: The Wolfpack will have to absorb a big loss in Ralston Turner, who averaged double figures on the perimeter. Turner, a transfer from LSU, was a strong two-year addition for Mark Gottfried. In his final year, he was a dangerous 3-point threat and attempted the team's largest number of long-distance shots this season. Desmond Lee, another perimeter player who averaged only single-digit minutes, provided depth.
Who is added: No recruits are coming for the Class of 2015, but State will get shooting guard Terry Henderson, who transferred from West Virginia and averaged 11.7 points as a sophomore. Henderson will have two years of eligibility remaining and brings an established 3-point shot and an excellent free throw percentage to Raleigh. Henderson will be a key addition.
What it means for next season: With a majority of their NCAA tournament roster returning, the Wolfpack will be an upper-echelon team next season in the powerful and deep ACC. When you break down their roster, they bring back a hard-to-guard backcourt with Barber and Lacey. Lacey is a crunch-time performer, a shot-maker and one of the team's leading scorers. In the frontcourt, Washington has made steady progress and can stretch out a defense with his 3-point shot. I expect Abu to have a breakout sophomore season, with a chiseled frame and post skill to emerge next season. The Martin twins, Cody and Caleb can help make up for the loss of Turner collectively.
Trending: Up: Gottfried has absorbed the loss of T.J. Warren with an NCAA tournament bid, and the Wolfpack are lined up to do the same next season with a strong returning roster. They are a finalist for ESPN 100 prospect Brandon Ingram (No. 12) and are also involved with Malik Newman (No. 4). Since he has taken over this Wolfpack program, Gottfried has won, recruited very well and energized the fan base.