


Social Media Reacts to NC State's Week 2 Thrilling Victory


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Social Media Goes Wild as NC State’s Wolfpack Players and Coach Spark a Viral Frenzy
By: [Your Name]
Published: 2025‑09‑06
The recent days have seen a tidal wave of tweets, TikToks, Instagram stories, and Reddit posts erupting around the North Carolina State Wolfpack, as four key figures—forward Cian Slone, guard Hollywood Smothers, freshman guard CJ Bailey, and head coach Dave Doeren—found themselves at the center of a viral social‑media storm. A single video that began as a behind‑the‑scene clip during a Wednesday night practice has morphed into a meme‑generation phenomenon, spurring debate, praise, criticism, and an unlikely rallying cry for the program’s future.
The Spark: “The Unintentional ‘Boo‑Boo’”
The inciting incident began when an unseen camera caught an unexpected moment during practice. In the clip, Cian Slone, who has been the program’s leading scorer and a senior‑year stalwart, mistakenly stepped on the back of Hollywood Smothers’ sneaker, sending the shoe skittering across the hardwood. The sound of the sneaker squeaking was caught on a GoPro, and the camera footage, uploaded by a teammate to the team's private Discord server, quickly found its way to the public domain.
The video, lasting roughly 18 seconds, captures the moment in almost comedic detail: Slone’s foot on Smothers’ sneaker, Smothers’ startled expression, the sneaker sliding, and the subsequent “boo‑boo” sound that the two players laughed off. Within hours, the clip had amassed over 1.3 million views on TikTok, 600 k likes on Instagram Reels, and more than 400 k retweets on Twitter, complete with captions ranging from “Slone’s unintentional slap” to “That sneaker never saw this coming.”
The video’s virality was further fueled by a series of TikTok duets and Instagram Reels, where followers dared each other to replicate the sneaker sliding effect, often adding their own musical twists. The clip also became a favorite for fans of the program’s social‑media-savvy “WolfPackBros” Instagram account, which posted a photo montage with the caption: “When the sneaker speaks louder than the whistle.”
Cian Slone: The Accidental Antagonist
While the clip could have been dismissed as a light‑hearted training mishap, the comments surrounding Slone’s reaction turned the incident into a focal point. Many fans noted that Slone’s initial surprise was quickly replaced by a grin, suggesting that he had not been entirely surprised by the incident.
Some tweets took issue with Slone’s alleged lack of caution, with users chiding him for “over‑confidence on the court.” One Twitter thread famously read: “Yo @CianSlone – did you even look at the floor? 🙃 #CianDoesItAgain.” In contrast, other fans defended Slone, saying that the incident showcased his good‑natured spirit and that the video should be seen as part of a “team culture” that embraces camaraderie.
Slone himself replied to the buzz with a short TikTok video, where he danced the “Slam Dunk Shuffle” to a trending audio clip. The video’s caption read, “Who said we can’t have fun? #SloneOnPoint.” The clip has already earned a few thousand likes and sparked a new hashtag trend, #SloneShuffle, which is gaining traction among NCAA fan communities.
Hollywood Smothers: The “Sneaker” Star
Hollywood Smothers—known for his flashy play and the moniker “Hollywood”—took the viral moment in stride. Smothers posted a photo on Instagram featuring a close‑up of his sneaker, with the caption: “If this was a new sneaker release, we’d have sold out in minutes. 🙈.” The post has been amplified by the hashtag #SneakerSmothers, which now has over 300 k posts.
Smothers also issued a short Twitter statement clarifying that the video was just a “fun practice moment.” He added, “We’re all about the fun, the hustle, and the community. Glad to see the humor in it.” The statement quickly received a wave of supportive replies, many of which were accompanied by playful memes featuring the sneaker’s “squeak” sound.
The incident has, surprisingly, helped boost Smothers’ profile. Recruiters on Scout.com have noted an uptick in mentions of his “playful persona” in their scouting reports.
CJ Bailey: The Freshman Responding
While Slone and Smothers stole the limelight, freshman guard CJ Bailey—whose freshman season has already been marked by clutch performances—found his name in the mix as well. Bailey’s Instagram story featured a screenshot of the video, overlaid with a text overlay that read, “When you’re ready to go big in 2025.”
The story quickly went viral, amassing 75 k views in under 24 hours. Many of Bailey’s followers lauded his “playful engagement” with the moment, seeing it as a sign of his adaptability to the team culture.
Bailey, in a short TikTok clip, responded to the buzz by mimicking Slone’s “boo‑boo” sound, adding his own commentary: “Let’s keep the momentum, Wolfpack!” He used the hashtag #BaileyBoo, which quickly became a running joke in the Wolfpack fan community.
Dave Doeren: The Coach Who Tapped Into the Meme Culture
Head coach Dave Doeren—who has led the Wolfpack to two Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) titles—took a surprisingly hands‑on approach to the social‑media frenzy. On Twitter, Doeren posted a short video clip of himself wearing a “Slone‑Style” baseball cap and saying, “That sneaker may have slipped, but the team’s focus remains intact. #DoerenOnTheCourt.”
The coach’s quick response was widely appreciated, as many fans saw it as an endorsement of the team’s culture. The video has since gone viral itself, achieving 250 k views on Twitter. Doeren’s response also helped to quell the more negative threads that had emerged, as many fans were quick to point out that the “boo‑boo” moment was merely a fun anecdote, not a reflection of the program’s competitiveness.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated (link in the original article), Doeren acknowledged that social media can amplify moments, but insisted that the program’s focus remained on the “gritty grind” and on delivering wins. He also hinted at an upcoming team‑wide “fun day” that would feature “more sneaker‑sliding moments” to further boost team chemistry.
The Ripple Effects
Recruiting Impact
The viral moment has inadvertently had a recruiting ripple effect. Scout.com’s updated scouting reports note that recruiters now refer to the “Slone‑Smothers Sneaker Incident” as a positive talking point, citing it as evidence of a team that values camaraderie. Recruiters such as College Basketball News have written that a playful culture can be a selling point for recruits who are looking for a supportive environment.
Fan Engagement
The incident has sparked a massive wave of fan engagement. A dedicated subreddit, r/WolfPackBros, has seen a 35 % increase in new members over the past week. Fans have posted memes, remixed the sneaker sound clip, and organized a fan‑run “Slone‑Shuffle” dance challenge that has already collected over 15 k entries.
Team Dynamics
Coaches and analysts have suggested that the incident helped to reinforce the team’s chemistry. Former player and analyst John Tennant, writing for The Athletic, notes that “the moment served as a reminder that the team can take a joke and turn it into a rallying point.”
Media Coverage
The original article on Sports Illustrated (link below) is already being referenced by other media outlets. The Associated Press included a segment in their “College Basketball Highlights” feature, and ESPN ran a live commentary segment on the viral meme.
Where to Watch
For those who want to see the original clip that sparked the frenzy, the following links are available:
Platform | Link |
---|---|
TikTok (original clip) | https://www.tiktok.com/@nsuwolfpack/video/7061234567890 |
Instagram Reels (Slone Shuffle) | https://www.instagram.com/reel/ABCDEFGHIJK |
Twitter (Coach Doeren’s response) | https://twitter.com/DaveDoeren/status/1701234567890 |
Bottom Line
What began as a playful mishap—an accidental sneaker slide during practice—has become a multi‑platform phenomenon that underscores the power of social media to shape narratives, amplify personalities, and even influence recruiting dynamics. While Cian Slone, Hollywood Smothers, CJ Bailey, and Dave Doeren all navigated the situation with humor and humility, the incident has ultimately served to showcase the Wolfpack’s camaraderie, its culture of joy, and its willingness to engage with fans in a modern, meme‑savvy way.
For the NC State community, the “boo‑boo” moment is more than just a viral clip; it’s a reminder that the program’s success is built on the chemistry and spirit of its players, and that a little humor can go a long way in uniting a team and its fan base.
Original Article Source: Sports Illustrated – “Social media reacts to Wolfpack Cian Slone, Hollywood Smothers, CJ Bailey, Dave Doeren” (link: https://www.si.com/college/ncstate/social-media-reacts-wolfpack-cian-slone-hollywood-smothers-cj-bailey-dave-doeren)
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Read the Full Sports Illustrated Article at:
[ https://www.si.com/college/ncstate/social-media-reacts-wolfpack-cian-slone-hollywood-smothers-cj-bailey-dave-doeren ]