North Carolina State's men's basketball team recently achieved a significant milestone, securing their longest Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season winning streak in over five decades. This impressive run culminated in a decisive 82-73 victory against Virginia Tech in Raleigh, marking a pivotal moment in the Wolfpack's season. The team's cohesive performance and strategic plays were key to overcoming their rivals, showcasing their dominant form within the conference.
The critical encounter unfolded on a Saturday afternoon in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Wolfpack's offense was spearheaded by standout performances from Paul McNeil Jr. and Quadir Copeland, both of whom registered an impressive 21 points each. Tre Holloman also made a substantial impact, contributing 16 points, while Ven-Allen Lubin added 11 points to the scoreboard. McNeil's four successful three-pointers and Holloman's seven from beyond the arc were crucial in building and maintaining NC State's lead. Furthermore, Copeland demonstrated his all-around utility with 10 assists and five steals, highlighting his comprehensive contribution to the team's success.
This particular winning streak represents the Wolfpack's most successful conference regular-season stretch since the 1973-74 season, when they boasted an unbeaten 12-0 record. Their current six-game winning spree underscores a remarkable resurgence, echoing past glories. Historically, the team also saw a strong conference run in 1988-89, winning their final four games, and continuing with three victories to start the subsequent season. This recent achievement positions the Wolfpack favorably in the current ACC standings with an 18-6 overall record and a strong 9-2 in conference play.
On the opposing side, Virginia Tech, despite a week's rest following a home loss to Duke, struggled to find their rhythm. Amani Hansberry led the Hokies with 19 points, supported by Tobi Lawal, who notched 17 points and an impressive 15 rebounds. Neoklis Avdalas added 14 points, and Jaden Schutt contributed 11 points off the bench, including three three-pointers. However, Virginia Tech's inefficiency from long range, converting only 7 of 25 attempts, coupled with 15 turnovers, hampered their efforts to close the gap.
NC State's victory was particularly notable given a less-than-stellar shooting performance from Darrion Williams, a player who had been in fine form in recent games but was limited to just four points on 1-for-9 shooting. Conversely, Virginia Tech's starter Ben Hammond was unable to score in 32 minutes of play, missing all nine of his attempts. The Wolfpack, buoyed by a recent comeback victory against SMU, established a commanding 36-24 lead by halftime. Despite Virginia Tech doubling their first-half offensive output in the second half, it proved insufficient to overcome NC State's early advantage. A three-pointer by Holloman early in the game secured a 20-7 lead for the Wolfpack, illustrating their strong start. Virginia Tech did not register a two-point basket until more than ten minutes into the game, reflecting their initial struggles. Adding to their challenges, Virginia Tech played without guard Tyler Johnson, who remained sidelined despite earlier expectations of his return.
This triumph further solidifies North Carolina State's standing in the Atlantic Coast Conference, extending their impressive winning streak and demonstrating their capacity to compete at the highest level. The team's balanced scoring, strategic play, and resilience in the face of varying individual performances have been key factors in their success, setting a positive trajectory for the remainder of their season.