NC State Stumbles at Home in Costly Loss to Georgia Tech
RALEIGH, N.C. - Just when it felt like NC State was starting to find its footing in ACC play, the Wolfpack took a hard step backward. Saturday’s 78-74 loss to Georgia Tech wasn’t just a missed opportunity - it was the kind of defeat that lingers. Despite Georgia Tech doing everything it could to leave the door open down the stretch - missing five straight free throws in the final 36 seconds - NC State couldn’t capitalize, missing its last three shots and failing to complete the comeback.
Let’s break down what went wrong in a game that the Wolfpack will want to forget - but can’t afford to ignore.
A Breakdown on Both Ends
This wasn’t a game lost on one possession or a single cold stretch. This was a full-system breakdown from tip to buzzer.
NC State shot just 37.1% from the field, struggled at the line with a 64% clip, and got beat on the boards 43-34. That’s a tough combination to overcome, especially when you’re playing at home against a Georgia Tech squad that entered the game near the bottom of the ACC standings.
The Wolfpack’s offense sputtered early and late - missing 12 of its first 15 shots and 13 of its last 17. That’s a brutal bookend. Even after Quadir Copeland hit a clutch three to cut the deficit to four with under a minute to go, State missed three consecutive looks from deep to close things out.
And defensively, the Pack didn’t have answers either. Georgia Tech shot 52% from the floor - a number that reflects not just hot shooting, but breakdowns in defensive rotations and a lack of physicality in key moments. Add it all up, and you get NC State’s first Quad 3 loss of the season - a blemish that could loom large come Selection Sunday.
Another Slow Start, Another Uphill Climb
This wasn’t the first time NC State has come out flat at home, and it’s starting to become a troubling trend. Head coach Will Wade had emphasized the need for a strong start, especially after sluggish early efforts against Wake Forest and Virginia. But once again, the Pack found itself in a hole early.
NC State opened the game hitting just 3-of-15 from the floor in the first eight minutes. Georgia Tech took advantage, building an eight-point lead in the first half. While the Wolfpack did claw back to take a 35-34 lead into halftime, the energy shift never fully materialized.
In the second half, the Yellow Jackets hung around long enough to seize control - taking the lead at the 10:32 mark and never giving it back. They led for nearly 22 minutes of game time. NC State, despite a few pushes, never looked like the team in command.
When Your Stars Struggle, So Does the Team
In games like this, your top guys have to deliver. On Saturday, that didn’t happen.
Darrion Williams, who had been trending upward with improved shooting in recent games, couldn’t find his rhythm. He finished with just seven points on 2-of-11 shooting, including 1-of-6 from three.
He added four rebounds, five assists, and four steals - but the -13 plus/minus told the story. He wasn’t the impact player NC State needed him to be.
Tre Holloman returned to the lineup and had a steady, if unspectacular, outing with six points and four combined steals and blocks. He kept the ball safe with just one turnover, but didn’t shift the momentum.
Quadir Copeland led the team with 16 points, but did so on 35% shooting and had three turnovers to go with his three steals. His late-game decision-making - including holding the ball too long on the final possession - hurt the Pack’s chances at pulling off a comeback.
Paul McNeil Jr. had a rough shooting night at 3-of-11, and Ven-Allen Lubin, despite going 5-of-9 from the field, missed several point-blank shots and went just 2-of-6 from the free-throw line. When your best offensive players are all off at the same time, even a struggling Georgia Tech team can come into your building and walk out with a win.
Terrance Arceneaux and Matt Able combined for just four total shot attempts - a sign that the supporting cast wasn’t able to provide a spark either.
What’s Next?
This loss stings - not just because of who it came against, but because of how it happened. NC State didn’t just get beat; it failed to execute in the most fundamental areas: shooting, rebounding, and late-game decision-making.
At 12-6 overall and 3-2 in ACC play, the Wolfpack still has plenty of season left. But losses like this can be tough to shake - especially when the margins in conference play are razor-thin. If NC State wants to stay in the hunt for a postseason berth, it’s going to have to clean up the details - and fast.
The Pack has shown flashes of what it can be. But until it finds consistency - especially at home - those flashes won’t be enough.