All eyes in the ACC turned to Raleigh this Saturday morning, as the No. 21 Virginia Cavaliers rolled into Lenovo Center to challenge the surging No. 24 NC State Wolfpack. With both programs boasting high-octane offenses and a recent history of nail-biting encounters, anticipation for this matchup ran sky-high. Tip-off came at 11:00 AM Eastern, and fans tuning in on ESPN2 or streaming through various platforms braced for what many predicted would be a high-scoring, tightly contested affair.
Virginia entered the contest licking its wounds after a grueling triple-overtime defeat at Virginia Tech, a 95–85 heartbreaker that snapped a six-game winning streak. Senior Malik Thomas poured in 26 points, while freshman Thijs De Ridder delivered a monster performance with 22 points and 13 rebounds in a marathon 45-minute outing. Despite their efforts, the Cavaliers shot just 36% from the field and a chilly 22% from beyond the arc, ultimately getting outpaced 17–7 in the decisive third overtime. That loss, though tough to swallow, only seemed to sharpen their focus heading into Raleigh.
“We had opportunities, but just couldn’t get over the hump,” Thomas reflected postgame, as reported by ESPN. “Now it’s about regrouping and taking the lessons into the next one.”
The Cavaliers, under the leadership of head coach Tony Bennett, have built their reputation on disciplined defense and methodical offense. This season has seen some new faces step into starring roles. De Ridder leads the team with 16.5 points per game, while big man Johann Grunloh anchors the boards at 7.1 rebounds per contest. Dallin Hall, averaging 4.2 assists, has emerged as the team’s primary playmaker. Virginia’s nonconference slate provided bright spots, including an 86–73 win over Dayton, where Jacari White was simply unconscious from deep, draining all seven of his three-point attempts en route to 25 points. Another signature win came against Maryland, with Hall dropping 20 points to pace the Cavaliers to an 80–72 victory.
On the other side, the Wolfpack entered the day riding a wave of momentum. NC State had strung together three straight wins, most recently dispatching Wake Forest 70–57 in their ACC opener. The Wolfpack’s defense clamped down in the second half, holding the Demon Deacons to just 29% shooting. Quadir Copeland led the way with 14 points, while Ven-Allen Lubin notched his fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. NC State’s ability to stifle opponents down the stretch has become a calling card, but it’s their offense that’s truly turned heads.
Head coach Will Wade’s squad boasts one of the most potent attacks in the conference, averaging 87 points per game—matching Virginia’s output. Darrion Williams, the preseason ACC Player of the Year, has been a focal point, averaging 14.2 points per game, though his production has dipped in recent outings. Lubin, meanwhile, dominates the glass with 13.1 rebounds per game, and Copeland orchestrates the offense with 5.9 assists per contest. The Wolfpack are also deadly from distance, leading the ACC in three-point percentage at 39% and ranking among the nation’s top 20 in threes made per game. Five different Wolfpack players shoot 40% or better from deep, with Paul McNeil especially dangerous—he once erupted for 47 points, including 11 triples, against Texas Southern.
“We’ve got shooters all over the floor,” Wade recently told reporters. “When we’re clicking, we’re a tough out for anybody.”
The all-time series between these two programs tilts in NC State’s favor at 79–67, but recent years have seen a dead-even split, with each side claiming five wins in the last ten meetings. The most recent clash, back on December 31, 2024, saw Virginia edge the Wolfpack 70–67 in Charlottesville—a result that surely lingered in the minds of both teams heading into this rematch.
As tip-off approached, oddsmakers pegged NC State as a slight favorite, with the moneyline set at -190 and the spread at -4.5. The over/under hovered around 153.5 points, reflecting the expectation of an offensive showcase. Analysts predicted a tight contest, with some favoring the Wolfpack’s home-court advantage but cautioning that Virginia’s disciplined approach could keep things close. “Virginia plays at one of the slowest tempos in the country and leans on a disciplined, physical defense that can shorten games and limit possessions,” observed USA TODAY Sports. “That style typically favors the underdog on the road.”
Keys to the game seemed clear: for Virginia, defending the three-point line was paramount. The Cavaliers had done a commendable job containing Virginia Tech’s shooters (holding them to 9-of-28 from long range), but NC State’s arsenal posed an even greater threat. Limiting second-chance points was another focus, after the Hokies had feasted on offensive rebounds for 22 second-chance points in the previous outing. Virginia’s frontcourt, led by seven-footers Grunloh and Ugonna Onyenso, looked to impose their size against NC State’s Lubin and Williams. On the flip side, the Wolfpack aimed to push the pace and exploit their perimeter prowess, while hoping Williams could snap out of his recent scoring funk.
For fans unable to make it to Lenovo Center, the broadcast on ESPN2 and streaming on platforms like Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV ensured nobody missed a minute of the action. Ticket sales on StubHub reflected the buzz around this pivotal ACC showdown.
As the game unfolded, both offenses lived up to the hype. Virginia and NC State traded runs, with neither side able to pull away. The Cavaliers’ poise and rebounding edge kept them in the hunt, while the Wolfpack’s outside shooting and energetic home crowd provided a constant spark. With so much at stake—not just in the ACC standings, but in the context of NCAA tournament seeding—every possession felt magnified.
While the final result was still hanging in the balance at press time, one thing was clear: this matchup delivered on its promise of drama, skill, and intensity. Whether it comes down to a last-second shot or a decisive defensive stand, Virginia and NC State once again reminded fans why their rivalry remains one of the ACC’s most compelling. Stay tuned as the action continues to unfold in Raleigh—because in college basketball, anything can happen when the stakes are this high.