Ahead of the 2025 season, college basketball analyst Andy Patton reveals his thoughts on the shocking recent transfer of North Carolina Tar Heels forward Ven-Allen Lubin to the rival NC State Wolfpack.
On the most recent episode of his show, Patton revealed he was miffed by one decision in particular, which could prove to be a blessing in disguise for NC State’s recent pickup.
Analyst ‘Miffed’ at Strange North Carolina-NC State Transfer
On a recent episode of his podcast, “Locked On College Basketball,” analyst Andy Patton revealed how big of a decision this transfer was for the North Carolina Tar Heels and the NC State Wolfpack.
‘I still continue to be miffed by the AAC’s decision to only have NC State and North Carolina play each other once this year in the regular season… There will not be a game in Chapel Hill between NC State and North Carolina.” Patton explained.
This decision from the ACC to have these in-state rivals only play one time this season is surprising — and disappointing for UNC fans wanting “revenge” over the transfer.
“‘I’m not saying that’s part of the reason for Ven-Allen Lubin doing what he did, but man, he’s gotta feel a little bit more comfortable, he doesn’t have to play in Chapel Hill this upcoming season and feel the wrath of those North Carolina fans,” Patton continued.
As one of North Carolina’s best players last season, the circumstances surrounding his departure from the Tar Heels have earned him backlash from fans of the program, as earlier in the year, he claimed he was ‘fully intent on returning to UNC’, despite entering the transfer portal.
Before anybody jumps to the wrong conclusion, I am letting everyone know that I am entering the transfer portal with full intent on returning to UNC. My action relates to the complexities surrounding the possible approval of the pending NCAA settlement.
— Ven-Allen Lubin®️ (@LubinVen) April 21, 2025
“Before anybody jumps to the wrong conclusion, I am letting everyone know that I am entering the transfer portal with full intent on returning to UNC. My action relates to the complexities surrounding the possible approval of the pending NCAA settlement,” Lubin explained in a post after initially entering the portal.
Despite this claim, the forward, who became a starter for the Tar Heels last season, with 11 consecutive double-digit performances, made the move to the cross-state rival. Fans of the program have branded the former player a ‘traitor’.
Regardless, Lubin joins a list of players with “traitor”-like transfers from a school to their rival. He wasn’t the first, and he won’t be the last. While the ‘Heels and the ‘Pack only play once this season, it’ll be must-watch TV — especially if Lubin has found his way into the starting rotation.
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