Syracuse Faces High-Powered NC State in Crucial ACC Clash
Syracuse heads to Raleigh looking for more than just a win - it’s a shot at redemption and a chance to reshape its postseason narrative. Tuesday’s matchup with NC State marks the Orange’s first Quad 1 opportunity since early December, when they took on then-No.
13 Tennessee. With three straight losses in ACC play and their conference record slipping below .500, this trip to face the Wolfpack isn’t just another game - it’s a turning point.
Let’s break down what’s at stake, what to watch, and how Syracuse can flip the script against one of the ACC’s most dynamic offenses.
Syracuse Searching for Answers
There’s no sugarcoating it: the Orange are in a skid. Three consecutive ACC losses - including a road stumble at Boston College and back-to-back home defeats to Virginia Tech and Miami - have knocked Syracuse off course. All three of those were Quad 2 games, and none of them helped the Orange’s NCAA Tournament resume.
Now, they get a shot at a quality win on the road. But it won’t come easy.
The NC State Challenge
Under first-year head coach Will Wade, NC State has looked revitalized. The Wolfpack are 5-2 in ACC play and 14-6 overall, with solid nonconference wins over VCU, Boise State, and Ole Miss. Wade, back in the Power Four ranks after a successful run at McNeese State, has quickly reshaped the Wolfpack into a team that can score with anyone.
And he brought some firepower with him - literally.
Quadir Copeland, a former Syracuse guard, followed Wade from McNeese to NC State and has emerged as the Wolfpack’s leading scorer, averaging 14.1 points per game. He’s been the emotional engine for this team, playing with a relentless motor and confidence that’s hard to ignore.
But Copeland’s not doing it alone. Texas Tech transfer Darrion Williams - who helped lead the Red Raiders to the Elite Eight last season - brings versatility and experience. He was named ACC Preseason Player of the Year, and while his scoring numbers have dipped slightly (13.9 PPG), he remains a major threat on both ends of the floor.
Add in sophomore Paul McNeil Jr., who dropped 47 points and 11 threes earlier this season against Texas Southern, and you’ve got a roster loaded with offensive weapons. Ven-Allen Lubin, a North Carolina transfer, has been the glue guy - averaging 13.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game - while Tre Holloman (via Michigan State) adds depth and stability in the backcourt.
This group is clicking. NC State is fourth in the ACC in scoring (85.3 PPG), shoots nearly 40% from deep, and ranks top-30 nationally in effective field goal percentage. Defensively, they’re no slouch either - their adjusted efficiency ranks 38th in the country, per KenPom.
Recent History: A Glimmer of Hope
The last time these two teams met, Syracuse delivered one of its best performances of the season. On February 26, 2025, the Orange rolled past NC State 74-60, snapping a three-game losing streak and keeping their ACC Tournament hopes alive.
J.J. Starling led the way with 17 points, while Eddie Lampkin Jr. posted a dominant 14-point, 15-rebound double-double - his 12th of the year. Syracuse controlled the game from the jump, holding the Wolfpack to just 2-of-13 shooting from beyond the arc in the first half and never letting up.
That version of Syracuse - aggressive on defense, efficient on offense - is the one that needs to show up in Raleigh.
How Syracuse Can Win
It starts on the defensive end. Syracuse’s early-season success was built on forcing turnovers, contesting shots, and making teams uncomfortable.
Lately, that identity has faded. In ACC play, the Orange have allowed opponents to get far too comfortable, and that’s a recipe for disaster against a team like NC State.
The Wolfpack can beat you in transition, in the halfcourt, from deep, or in the paint. If Syracuse doesn’t lock in defensively - rotating quickly, closing out on shooters, and rebounding with urgency - this one could get out of hand fast.
On offense, the Orange need to find balance. Starling and Lampkin have shown they can lead the way, but it’ll take a team effort to keep pace with NC State’s firepower. Limiting turnovers and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities will be key.
Stat to Know: 5
That’s how many ACC wins NC State already has - matching their total from all of last season. It’s a testament to how quickly Wade has turned things around.
Just two years ago, the Wolfpack were riding a Cinderella run to the Final Four. Last year?
They bottomed out at 5-15 in conference play, missed the ACC Tournament entirely, and moved on from Kevin Keats.
Now, with Wade at the helm, they look like a team capable of making noise in March once again.
Player to Watch: Darrion Williams (No. 1, Forward)
Williams entered the season with high expectations after being named ACC Preseason Player of the Year. And while his scoring hasn’t quite matched his Texas Tech numbers, he remains a matchup nightmare. He’s capable of stretching the floor, attacking the rim, and defending multiple positions.
He’s already posted four 20-point games this year, and if Syracuse doesn’t keep him in check, he could be the difference-maker.
The Bottom Line
This is a gut-check game for Syracuse. A chance to stop the bleeding, earn a quality road win, and remind the ACC they’re still in the mix. But it’ll take a complete effort - especially on the defensive end - to slow down a surging NC State squad that’s found its rhythm under Will Wade.
The Orange have done it before. The question is: can they do it again?