Who has stood out during NC State’s preseason practices

There’s a unique vibe inside the Dail Basketball Center this preseason. NC State has hit the practice court, playing underneath a newly-added ACC Championship banner, looking to build off last season’s postseason success that culminated in a run to the Final Four.  The Wolfpack has a new sense of urgency as the conference’s reigning champion for the first time in 36 years. That comes with some pressure, and a team that has eight new players — five transfers and three true freshmen — on the roster with just five returning scholarship athletes, this month is crucial in the team’s development.  Senior guard Jayden Taylor, who has taken more of a vocal leadership role this season, has sensed the new mindset from the Wolfpack during its preseason practices. “The last couple weeks of practice have been very competitive,” Taylor said. “I feel like guys are starting to raise their level of play and you can feel it man. It’s a different energy coming off a Final Four and an ACC Championship. Going into a new season, we want to click on Game 1 instead of going into the ACC Tournament.” So who has stood out to this point of the preseason?