Rick Barnes on assistant Justin Gainey and NC State rumors: ‘Nobody loves NC State more than Justin Gainey’

By JAMES MADDEN

CHICAGO – NC State is just days removed from losing former head coach Will Wade to LSU, leaving athletic director Boo Corrigan both “shocked” and “disappointed.” With NC State focused on next season and the hiring process, a popular name that’s been mentioned for the coaching vacancy is former NC State point guard and current Tennessee assistant Justin Gainey.

Tennessee head Rick Barnes, a North Carolinian himself, was asked about his lead assistant being at...