NC State Stumbles in Charlottesville: A Tough Night Against Virginia
NC State's men's basketball team faced a challenging night on the road, falling 90-61 to the No. 11 Virginia Cavaliers.
The Wolfpack, now 19-9 overall and 10-5 in the ACC, struggled with their shooting, hitting just 29.4 percent from the field. Despite missing 48 shots, they were outrebounded 40-36 by a dominant Virginia team, who completed a season sweep with another double-digit victory.
Offensive Struggles from the Start
NC State aimed to avoid a sluggish start against Virginia, but history repeated itself. Previous road games had seen the Wolfpack stumble early, and Tuesday was no different.
They began the game hitting just 1 of their first 12 shots, with Tre Holloman's banked 3-pointer being the only bright spot. Although they managed to close the gap to 20-18 with 5:46 left in the first half, Virginia responded with a 12-1 run.
NC State's offense faltered, ending the half with a mere 19 points on 6-of-33 shooting and a dismal 2-of-15 from three-point range.
Virginia's Dominance on Both Ends
While NC State's performance left much to be desired, Virginia's physicality was a key factor. The Cavaliers forced tough shots and turned 12 blocks into transition opportunities, resulting in a 24-10 advantage in fastbreak points. Despite NC State's emphasis on matching Virginia's physical play, the Cavaliers controlled the boards and capitalized on defensive breakdowns, leading to open shots and a commanding lead.
The Wolfpack showed some improvement in the second half, but defensive stops were elusive. Virginia's hot shooting continued, with the team hitting 70 percent overall and 7-of-14 from beyond the arc. NC State allowed over 50 points in the second half, marking a second consecutive road game with such a defensive lapse.
Time to Regroup and Refocus
This defeat serves as a wake-up call for NC State, which has shown resilience earlier in the season. After a tough loss to Louisville, they bounced back with a strong effort against Miami and a significant win over UNC.
Now, following a 29-point loss to Virginia, the Wolfpack must quickly regroup with a road trip to Notre Dame and a home game against No. 1 Duke looming.
To secure a Top-4 seed in the ACC Tournament, NC State needs to shake off this setback and refocus on the challenges ahead.