Putting NC State’s 4 Top-25 Wins in Historical Perspective

In year one of the Kevin Keatts era at NC State, the Wolfpack have already beaten 4 Top-25 opponents.

#2 Arizona
#2 Duke
#19 Clemson
#10 UNC

Here’s how impressive that is when you take a look at NC State basketball history.

Only 17 Wolfpack teams have ever beaten 4 Top-25 opponents in a single season.

NC State currently only has one more ranked team remaining on their regular season schedule, and that is the #19 ranked Tar Heels. Obviously, the Wolfpack could also face ranked opponents in the ACC Tournament, and in any postseason play that they might qualify for afterwards.

If Keatts can lead NC State to one more victory over a Top-25 opponent this season, he will accomplish something that hasn’t happened in Raleigh since the 1990-91 season, headlined by Wolfpack legends Chris Corchiani (All-Time Assist Leader) and Rodney Monroe (All-Time Scoring Leader).

In fact, only 8 Wolfpack teams have ever defeated 5 or more Top-25 opponents in a single season.

90-91 – 5
84-85 – 5
82-83 – 8
79-80 – 5
73-74 – 11
72-73 – 6
55-56 – 5
54-55 – 6

Not bad for a first season as a head coach in the ACC, and for a team that was picked to finish 12th in the ACC (currently sit 5th).