The No. 21 Virginia Cavaliers arrived in Raleigh on January 3, 2026, hungry for redemption and left with a statement win, toppling NC State 76-61 at the Lenovo Center. For head coach Ryan Odom and his Cavaliers, this was not just any victory—it was their first ACC win of the season, and it came just days after a heartbreaking triple-overtime loss to Virginia Tech. The morning tipoff set the stage for a clash that would test both teams’ resilience, but it was Virginia’s sharp shooting and poise that stole the show.
From the opening whistle, Virginia seized control and never looked back. The Cavaliers led wire-to-wire, building their advantage with a lethal combination of perimeter shooting and disciplined defense. Sam Lewis, who had struggled in the previous outing against Virginia Tech, wasted no time making his mark. The Toledo transfer exploded for 20 points in the first half alone, matching NC State’s entire team output for the period. By halftime, the Cavaliers had constructed a commanding 40-20 lead, their largest margin at the break this season. The Wolfpack, meanwhile, were left reeling, their 20 points marking a season low for a half.
"I was surprised. I thought we’d practiced well. I thought we had a good routine this morning. But yeah, we just let our frustrations on offense carry over to the defense," NC State head coach Will Wade reflected postgame. "They didn’t blister the nets to start really either... but we just let our frustrations offensively hurt us defensively, but give Virginia credit, they bounced back after a tough game on Wednesday. It’s what you have to do in conference play."
Virginia’s offensive engine was running on all cylinders. The Cavaliers shot a blistering 50% from the field and knocked down 13 three-pointers, converting at a 39% clip from beyond the arc. The ball zipped around the perimeter, leaving NC State’s defense scrambling. Quick passes and well-timed drives created open looks, particularly for Lewis, who drilled 4-of-5 from three in the opening half. By game’s end, Lewis had tallied 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 5-of-9 from deep, providing the spark his team needed.
For Virginia, the win was about more than just offense. Their defense stifled an NC State squad that had previously limited opponents to just 62.7 points per game and held them to a combined 38.4% shooting over the last six contests. On Saturday, however, the Wolfpack managed only 36% shooting from the field and a paltry 25% from three-point range. The Cavaliers forced NC State into season lows in points (61), field goal percentage, and assists (7). “The biggest issue was we were trying to score off the first side. Against a team like Virginia, they've got the big and drop down at the restricted arc. You have to drive the first one, kick it out, and then drive the second one... but you know, I think that we were trying to do too much too early,” Wade admitted.
Despite the lopsided first half, NC State showed life early in the second. Trailing by 22 after two Virginia free throws, the Wolfpack responded with an 18-4 run, trimming the deficit to just eight points at 46-38 after a Paul McNeil three-pointer with 14:39 remaining. The Lenovo Center crowd sensed a momentum shift, but Virginia quickly doused any hopes of a comeback. The Cavaliers answered with a decisive 16-4 run of their own, restoring a comfortable 22-point cushion and effectively sealing the result.
Thijs De Ridder emerged as a second-half catalyst for Virginia, pouring in 12 points and grabbing six rebounds, including a key three-pointer and several tough finishes in the paint. The Belgian big man’s contributions ensured that Virginia’s offense didn’t stagnate when NC State made its push. “Thijs De Ridder was the catalyst in that stretch, scoring a few tough buckets in the paint and drilling a three-pointer,” noted one postgame analysis. For the Cavaliers, having another reliable scorer alongside Lewis made all the difference.
On the boards, Virginia asserted its dominance as well, outrebounding NC State 36-24. For the Wolfpack, losing the battle on the glass proved costly; they fell to 1-5 this season when being outrebounded. The Cavaliers’ ability to control the paint and limit second-chance opportunities kept the Wolfpack from ever truly threatening after their big run.
For NC State, the loss was a sobering first conference defeat under Will Wade, who took over the program with high expectations. The Wolfpack entered the game 10-4 and ranked 24th in the KenPom Ratings, but the defeat dropped their record in Quad 1 games to just 1-4. Offensively, Quadir Copeland led the way with 15 points, while McNeil Jr. added 13 and Alyn Breed chipped in a season-high 12—all in the second half. Yet, the lack of ball movement and poor execution against Virginia’s press left Wade searching for answers. “I think that a lot of guys struggled on our team today. I don’t wanna pin it on any one person. I mean, if you pin it on one person, it’s on me. I didn’t have us prepared. I didn’t have us playing how we’re capable of playing,” Wade said. He also emphasized the need to get Darrion Williams more involved, as Williams managed only eight shot attempts in the contest.
The Cavaliers’ victory was all the more impressive considering they were coming off a grueling triple-overtime loss to their in-state rivals just two days earlier. Coach Odom’s decision to return Sam Lewis to the starting lineup paid immediate dividends, reversing the struggles from the Virginia Tech game, where Lewis went 0-for-5 from the field. The bounce-back performance underscored the depth and resilience of this Virginia squad.
Looking ahead, Virginia will ride this wave of confidence into a pair of home games against California and Stanford before a big road test at No. 16 Louisville. NC State, meanwhile, faces a daunting stretch with six road games out of their next eight, beginning with a trip to Boston College on Tuesday night. With the ACC slate heating up, both teams know there’s little margin for error as they chase postseason aspirations.
In the end, it was Virginia’s discipline, shooting, and timely responses that defined the afternoon in Raleigh. The Cavaliers left with their first conference win, while the Wolfpack were left to regroup and refocus for the challenges ahead. As the ACC season kicks into high gear, this showdown served as a reminder that every possession, every adjustment, and every ounce of poise matters. For Virginia, it was a much-needed step forward—and for NC State, a lesson in the unforgiving nature of conference play.
