That’s true, but 90% of their schedule is competing directly with college basketball. Very few sports fans only watch a single sport. The Triangle is easily the best metro for men’s college BB in the last two decades (Duke and Carolina have 1/3 of all the titles since 2001). But, their football teams have trouble selling tickets.
And, even when they’re not so great, NC State is one of the top selling basketball teams in the country.
(I realize you already acknowledged they’re unlikely to stay around. I’m not trying to beat a dead horse.)