As NC State gears up for the final stretch of its season, there’s one game that stands out above the rest - a Feb. 17 home showdown against No. 11 North Carolina.
It’s more than just a rivalry. It’s a measuring stick, a postseason résumé builder, and a chance for the Wolfpack to prove that this year’s team isn’t like the ones that came before it.
Let’s be honest - the recent history hasn’t been kind. In the last 10 meetings with the Tar Heels, the Pack has only managed two wins.
But this version of NC State? It’s built differently.
It’s a team that’s thrived on the road, going 6-1 in ACC away games and stringing together six straight road wins before Monday night’s stumble at No. 24 Louisville.
That loss was rough - 118-77 - but it doesn’t erase what this team has accomplished. The last time NC State won six straight on the road?
You have to go back to the 1973-74 national championship squad led by the legendary David Thompson. That’s the kind of company this team has been keeping.
A key piece of this year’s puzzle is senior transfer center Ven-Allen Lubin. After choosing NC State over UNC, Lubin has been a force in the middle - averaging 13 points and seven boards while shooting a blistering 67% from the field.
He’s been one of the most efficient scorers in the ACC, and you can bet he’s had this matchup circled on his calendar. There’s no love lost when a player picks red over Carolina blue, and Lubin has a chance to make a major statement on Saturday night.
Offensively, the Wolfpack has been firing on all cylinders. Heading into the Louisville game, they were averaging 85.7 points per game - good for 23rd in the nation - and ranked seventh nationally in three-point scoring.
They’re hitting 11 threes per game at a conference-best 39.5% clip. Simply put, this is one of the most dangerous perimeter offenses in the country.
And that’s where things get interesting. UNC hasn’t faced a team this hot from deep all season.
The Pack trails only Louisville in total made threes in the ACC, and they’ve knocked down over 50 more triples than the Tar Heels to this point. If the Heels collapse too hard in the paint to deal with Lubin, they’ll be leaving shooters open - and NC State has made a living punishing teams that do just that.
The perimeter battle could very well decide this game.
Behind all of this is head coach Wade, who’s leaned heavily into the transfer portal to build a roster that can compete right now. While UNC continues to bring in elite high school talent - including top recruit Caleb Wilson - NC State is showing that there’s more than one way to build a winner.
In a college basketball landscape that’s changing fast, this matchup is more than just a rivalry game. It’s a clash of philosophies: traditional recruiting power versus portal-savvy roster building.
With only one meeting between these two teams on the schedule this season, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A win over UNC would be a massive boost to NC State’s NCAA Tournament hopes and would send a clear message that the Pack is a legitimate threat in the ACC.
Expect the energy inside the arena to be electric when the ball tips at 7 p.m. on Feb. 17.
This is the kind of game that defines seasons - and this Wolfpack team is ready for the moment.