Prior to the start of the 2025-2026 season, a viral video of Caleb Wilson surfaced around social media.
In the video, Wilson made a bold statement about the other programs within the triangle, as his quote (in a video filmed by what appeared to be another UNC student) said the following:
"I don't like Duke, I don't like NC State, I don't like Wake Forest. This year, we're putting the belt on everybody. I'm talking a real belt, sparkled, bedazzled."
Wilson wasn't able to defend his statement when North Carolina traveled to Raleigh on Tuesday night, but his comments seemed to have been bulletin board material for the Wolfpack, especially for former Tar Heel Ven-Allen Lubin and Quadir Copeland.
NC State pulls a page out of Caleb Wilson's play book
When four NC State players made their way to the podium for a postgame conference, Lubin was seen with an item around his neck.
That item was a NC State version of the bedazzled belt, one that Wilson has famously made a trend following UNC victories this season.
Disclaimer: it looks like Ven-Allen Lubin decorated it himself. He must be taking some kind of art class at NC State (hopefully it will count toward his credits to graduate- not sure how he will secure a degree having been to four schools in a four-year span!).
NC State forward Ven-Allen Lubin wearing a bedazzled Wolfpack belt after the win over UNC. 😅😅 pic.twitter.com/3ZBW5TNKBv
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) February 18, 2026
Of course, the Wolfpack players were asked if it was a knock on UNC, and Copeland was quick to respond to the question.
"Yes, it is. They were talking a lot of, 'we're going to North Carolina schools this, North Carolina schools that.' It's crazy how fast the tables turn. We bedazzled our belt too for him."
NC State took it personally, and had some fun celebrating after the fact.
Imitation is the highest form of flattery
Listen, no one faults them for creating their own bedazzled belt. However, it is kinda weak that they paraded around with the belt after a game in which Wilson didn't even play in.
NC State fans will say that UNC fans are "crying" over it, but that's the farthest from the case. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, as this gesture shows just how much Caleb Wilson lives rent-free in their heads.
Too bad they couldn't come up with their own idea.