It's safe to say that plenty of North Carolina basketball fans are going to be counting down the days for the Heels and NC State to face off in 2025-26. While the rivalry was already an intense one, big man Ven-Allen Lubin just took things to the next level.
On Sunday, the veteran confirmed what had been speculated for quite some time, as he officially announced his transfer from the Tar Heels to the Wolfpack. This news came after he previously said he was going to enter the portal, but with the full intention of returning to Chapel Hill.
That turned out to be totally false. Plenty of UNC supporters are not happy about this at all and it looks like there's also some angry playmakers inside of the locker room as well. Seth Trimble responded on social media to the breaking VAL news and it's clear he's got extra motivation to take down the Wolfpack next campaign:
Seth Trimble has extra motivation to take down NC State thanks to the Ven-Allen Lubin transfer
Tell us how you really feel, Seth. In his social media response, you can clearly see Trimble staring down an NC State player during a showdown on UNC's homecourt. Not only that, but Lubin is the one to embrace him too.
Lubin had been linked with both NC State and Mississippi State in recent weeks, but plenty of UNC fans were still hopeful that he'd return to the team. However, NC State upped their recruiting efforts and while we don't want to assume anything, something tells us NIL played a role in his decision here.
As noted by KIH's Nick Delahanty, this will be the first time in more than 100 years that NC State won't be playing in Chapel Hill. Thanks a lot, ACC schedule makers. Lubin has certainly dodged a bullet, as the UNC faithful would have been ready to boo him with an unreal amount of passion if he returned to the Dean Smith Center next campaign.
Transferring after telling everyone you wouldn't leave town and then joining NC State anyway? Trimble surely won't be the only UNC player who will want to hand Lubin and the Wolfpack a lopsided L next time these two programs face off.