Kevin Keatts on the hot seat? Fans, media react to latest first-round exit for NC State
Kevin Keatts and NC State fell in their NCAA Tournament opener Friday. Despite a 32-point outing from Terquavion Smith and keeping things close throughout the second half, Creighton pulled away for the 72-63 win.
Anytime a team loses in the NCAA Tournament it is heartbreaking, but this one adds a bit more sting this time around. The Wolfpack cracked the March Madness field this year for the first time since 2018 after registering 20+ wins for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
While some were hailing this season’s campaign as a bounce-back year for Keatts, it must be said that NC State has just 2 NCAA Tournament appearances in Keatts’ 6 seasons with the program. Both of those appearances resulted in a first-round exit.
Regardless of one’s opinion of Keatts, plenty of fans and media members reacted to the coach on Friday with plenty of talk of Keatts being on the hot seat entering next season if he is retained for 2023-24. Take a look:
Kevin Keatts: eliminated in the round of 64 twice, eliminated in the NIT quarterfinals twice, and no postseason activity at all last season.
Winner.
— Brandon Anderson (@THBBrandon) March 17, 2023
Arguably NC State’s BEST season in Kevin Keatts 6 yrs ends with a 23-11 (12-8 | 6th in ACC) record, 11 seed, season split with UNC, and 1ST Round exit. 55-58 ACC record & 2 NCAAT appearances in 6 full seasons. KKIAW?
— michael wesley brooker, sr (@m_brooker11) March 17, 2023
I needed some time after to do work to pull together a deep dive on Kevin Keatts’ tournament success after 6 years. So…here goes:
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Boom. Done.Absorb that. Think about that. Really weigh all of that.
— statefansnation (@statefansnation) March 17, 2023
NC State needs to extend Kevin Keatts. He’s by far their best coach ever in the current age
— Snake (@Elijah_Shriner) March 17, 2023
Kevin Keatts is a good man and a good basketball coach. He’s proven as much in his career and this year should reinforce that.
Terquavion Smith and Jarkel Joiner could not say nicer things about their head coach.
IMO, State fans are in great hands.
— JOHN JOHNSON II (@TheJJohnsonTV) March 17, 2023
Going to be very interesting to see what NC State looks like next year. Jarkel Joiner will be gone. Terquavion Smith will very likely be gone. Probably Morsell too (no idea what his eligibility status is).
Kevin Keatts going to need to have another great run in the portal
— Andrew Schnittker (@aschnitt53) March 17, 2023
Kevin keatts sucks. If you think he’s the guy. You’re an idiot. No offensive scheme at all. @BarstoolPack @PackPride @TuffyTalkNow He recruits well. Cool. 1 on 1 basketball ain’t gonna do it.
— Daniel Folk (@dfolk34) March 17, 2023
I’m confused, if Kevin Keatts is a winner how has he only made two NCAA tournaments at State?
— Hunter Oakley (@Hunter_Oakley) March 17, 2023
Kevin Keatts. Not a winner in March 🙁
— coux (@dj_coux) March 17, 2023
Kevin Keatts is not a winner
— Cee Es Dubya (@ceeesdubya) March 17, 2023
“KeViN kEaTtS iS a WiNnEr!”
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/lrHFce9GAE— A for Effort (@Rambo_was_real1) March 17, 2023
