NC State’s Balanced Star Power Is Fueling a Legitimate ACC Run
NC State’s surge up the ACC standings hasn’t been the result of one breakout star catching fire - it’s been a collective push, powered by multiple high-level performers playing some of the best basketball in the conference. According to Evan Miya’s Player Ratings, three Wolfpack standouts are currently ranked among the ACC’s top 20, and two of them crack the top 10. That’s not just impressive - it’s the kind of depth that makes a team dangerous come March.
Let’s break it down.
Quadir Copeland: From Role Player to ACC Force
At the start of the season, Quadir Copeland wasn’t on many shortlists for All-ACC honors. Now? He’s not just in the conversation - he’s leading it.
Copeland currently ranks as the No. 5 overall player in the ACC and 33rd nationally in Evan Miya’s Bayesian Performance Rating (BPR), a metric that blends a player’s offensive and defensive impact into one comprehensive number. It’s not about highlight reels or box score flash - it’s about how much better a player makes his team every time he’s on the floor.
And Copeland’s impact is massive.
- 5th in Offensive Rating in the ACC
- 12th in Defensive Rating
- Leads the ACC in assists
- 13.7 points per game
- 52.3% shooting from the field
- 47.7% from three
- 77.1% from the line
That’s elite efficiency across the board. He’s not just setting the table - he’s finishing the meal.
Copeland has become the engine of NC State’s offense, a steady hand who can score, distribute, and defend at a high level. His rise has been one of the most compelling storylines in the ACC this season.
And let’s be honest - if he keeps this up, we’re not just talking about All-ACC honors. We’re talking about NBA potential.
Paul McNeil Jr.: Quietly Becoming a Star
A sophomore leap was expected from Paul McNeil Jr., but few could’ve predicted this level of production.
Ranked 10th overall in the ACC by Miya’s ratings, McNeil has become one of the most efficient offensive weapons in the league - and he’s doing it with a rare blend of shooting and control.
- 2nd in the ACC in Offensive Rating
- Leads the conference in three-point percentage (42.9%)
- Lowest turnover percentage in the ACC (2.3%)
That last stat is especially telling. For a high-usage perimeter player to be that careful with the ball while still shooting the lights out? That’s elite.
McNeil doesn’t force the issue. He picks his spots, stretches defenses, and makes smart decisions. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t need the spotlight to dominate - but his numbers demand attention.
Darrion Williams: Heating Up at the Right Time
Darrion Williams entered the season with the biggest expectations of the bunch. As the ACC Preseason Player of the Year, he was supposed to be the guy.
While his overall ranking in Miya’s system - 17th in the ACC - might not scream “Player of the Year,” his recent play tells a different story. Williams has scored 20+ points in three straight games and continues to lead NC State in scoring.
He’s finding his rhythm, and that might be the most important development for this team moving forward. When Williams is locked in, he gives the Wolfpack a physical, versatile forward who can score at all three levels and take over stretches of a game.
Now that he’s clicking alongside Copeland and McNeil, NC State isn’t just deep - it’s dangerous.
The Power of Three
What separates NC State from most of the ACC right now isn’t just talent - it’s balance. The Wolfpack are one of only three teams in the conference (along with Duke and Louisville) that have three players ranked in the top 20 of Miya’s BPR.
That matters.
This isn’t a team riding one hot hand or leaning on one go-to scorer. It’s a team with multiple guys who can take over, multiple guys who impact both ends of the floor, and multiple guys whose value shows up in the numbers and on the court.
In a league as competitive as the ACC, that kind of depth is the difference between being a good team and being a real contender.
Bottom Line
NC State’s rise isn’t a fluke. The advanced metrics are backing up what the eye test has been showing for weeks: this team is built to win - not just in February, but deep into March.
With Copeland playing like an All-ACC guard, McNeil emerging as a lights-out shooter with elite efficiency, and Williams rounding into form as the preseason favorite, the Wolfpack have the kind of three-headed monster that can carry them to the top of the conference.
The numbers say it. The performances prove it. And if you're not paying attention to NC State yet, it's probably time to start.