RALEIGH – NC State, led by coach Will Wade, secured an 82-58 victory over rival North Carolina, marking the program’s largest win against UNC since 1962. The game was Wade’s first against the Tar Heels, who were ranked 16th nationally and played without key players.
Wolfpack Dominates Tar Heels in Historic Win
NC State's dominant performance was highlighted by Quadir Copeland, who contributed 18 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and four steals. Copeland, who joined Wade from McNeese State, proved to be a pivotal force on the court.
Post-game, Wolfpack players displayed a decorated belt, which player Jordan Snell stated was in response to "disrespectful" behavior from UNC after a previous game and comments made by Caleb Wilson. Copeland elaborated on the pre-game exchanges:
"They were talking a lot – North Carolina schools this, North Carolina schools that. It’s crazy how fast the tables turn. We bedazzled our belt too for them."
Coach Wade praised Copeland's infectious energy, stating:
"He gives everybody a spirit. He gives everybody a lot of confidence. He’s one of those guys that you love him, if he plays for you... He gives us some life. He gives us some pop."
The Wolfpack, now 19-8 overall and 10-4 in the ACC, ended a two-game losing streak with this significant victory. Five NC State players reached double figures in scoring. Matt Able scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds. Darrion Williams contributed 13 points, remarkably returning to the game in the first half after receiving stitches for a cut above his left eye. Freshman Matt Able highlighted Williams's return as inspiring. Ven-Allen Lubin, a former UNC player, added 12 points, a performance that players and coach Wade noted was significant for him.
Historically, UNC had won seven of the previous nine rivalry games and 46 of 58 since 1999. Coach Wade acknowledged the deep-seated significance of the rivalry to the NC State fanbase:
"I represent NC State. I represent our fan base. I represent our school... And if it’s important to our fans, it’s important to us. It’s important to me... I’m glad we could put a smile on everybody’s face and make work a little bit easier tomorrow morning."
Tar Heels Battle Injuries and Shooting Woes
North Carolina competed without two of its top players: freshman Caleb Wilson (left hand injury) and center Henri Veesaar (lower extremity injury). Wilson and Veesaar are the team's leading scorers and rebounders, collectively averaging 36.2 points and 18.4 rebounds per game. Following the game, Copeland was observed addressing Wilson.
The Tar Heels (20-6, 8-5) faced substantial challenges without Wilson (19.8 ppg) and Veesaar (16.4 ppg), whose return timelines remain uncertain. This marked the second consecutive game UNC played without both top scorers, a rare occurrence in ACC history. Coach Davis commented on the team's performance, expressing concern:
"I just felt like our competitive fight wasn’t there, especially from a defensive standpoint."
For UNC, Zayden High and Jarin Stevenson each scored 13 points. The team's shooting struggles were evident, as they shot a dismal 1-for-16 from 3-point range in the first half, finishing 5-of-33 from long distance. Despite securing 17 offensive rebounds, this poor shooting performance proved costly. Coach Davis acknowledged the team's critical need for better 3-point shooting.
Rivalry's Future: Postseason Encounters
This game was the only regular-season meeting between the two rivals, a significant change from the traditional home-and-home series. The ACC reduced its conference schedule to 18 games to potentially increase NCAA Tournament bids. Any further matchups between NC State and UNC would now occur in the postseason. Coach Wade commented on the schedule change, stating it was "a tough pill to swallow for the fans" but ultimately for "the greater good" of the league.