NC State has made a habit of bouncing back this season - they’re 5-1 following losses - and they’ll look to keep that trend alive Saturday afternoon when they host ACC rival Miami in Raleigh.
The Wolfpack (18-7, 9-3 ACC) were riding high, winners of six of their last seven, before running into a buzzsaw at No. 24 Louisville.
That 118-77 loss wasn’t just a setback - it was a wake-up call. Head coach Will Wade didn’t sugarcoat it afterward.
“They whipped us every way possible,” Wade said. “We got torched.
We got hammered. But we have to move forward.”
And moving forward starts with tightening up on the defensive end. NC State currently ranks 14th in the ACC in scoring defense, giving up 74.3 points per game - not exactly a recipe for sustained success in a conference as deep as the ACC. They’re also 12th in rebounding margin, which means they’re not just allowing points, they’re giving up second-chance opportunities too.
But where the Wolfpack struggle defensively, they can light it up on offense. They’re third in the ACC in scoring at 85.3 points per game, and they’ve got weapons all over the floor.
Quadir Copeland is the engine that makes this offense go. He’s averaging 13.9 points and leads the conference in assists at 6.9 per game. His ability to create for others has been key to NC State’s offensive rhythm.
Darrion Williams leads the team in scoring at 14.4 points per game, while Paul McNeil and Ven-Allen Lubin are right behind him at 13.6 apiece. McNeil has been lethal from deep - he’s second in the ACC in made threes and leads the league in 3-point percentage at a scorching 43.0%. Lubin, meanwhile, is a force inside, converting a league-best 68.0% from the field.
Miami (19-5, 8-3 ACC) comes in hot after a statement 75-66 win over No. 11 North Carolina. The Hurricanes have won four of their last five and are playing with confidence on both ends of the floor.
They lead the ACC in field-goal percentage at 50.9%, and they’re top-five in both scoring offense (83.8 ppg) and scoring defense (69.8 ppg). That balance has been key to their success under first-year head coach Jai Lucas.
But it’s not all smooth sailing for Miami. They’re near the bottom of the league in both 3-point shooting (14th) and 3-point defense (16th), and depth has been a concern. The possible return of guard Tru Washington, who’s missed the last three games due to personal reasons, could help stabilize the rotation.
The Hurricanes are led by Malik Reneau, who’s tied for fourth in the ACC in scoring at 19.8 points per game. Ernest Udeh Jr. controls the glass, pulling down 9.6 boards per contest (second in the ACC), and Tre Donaldson has been a steady hand at the point, tied for third in the league with 6.1 assists per game.
Lucas knows his team is walking into a tough environment. NC State is 10-3 at home, and after getting humbled by Louisville, they’ll be hungry.
“They’re coming off a big loss,” Lucas said. “They’re going to be breaking fire.”
This one has all the ingredients for a high-octane ACC showdown: two top-tier offenses, plenty of star power, and postseason positioning on the line. For NC State, it’s about proving they can respond - again. For Miami, it’s about showing they can keep rolling, even on the road.