NC State’s Kevin Keatts is a Top-10 Killer

Kevin Keatts is a Top-10 killer.

The Wolfpack are now 4-1 against Top-10 opponents under the tutelage of Kevin Keatts, and are undefeated against Top-10 teams in the PNC Arena.

11/22/17 – #2 Arizona – 90-84 (W) – N
1/6/18 – #2 Duke – 96-85 (W) – H
1/14/18 – #3 UVA – 68-51 (L) – A
1/27/18 – #10 UNC – 95-91 (OT) (W) – A
12/19/18 – #7 Auburn – 78-71 (W) – H

No coach in NC State history has had this kind of success against Top-10 teams at the beginning of their careers.

Everett Case started 1-3 (the rankings started in his 3rd year after taking the job).

Norm Sloan lost his first 8 games against Top-10 opponents.

Jimmy V, who just had the arena named after him at Reynolds Coliseum, won his first game against a Top-10 team on the 8th try, and went 1-10 in the first 11.

Les Robinson won 2 of his first 6 against the Top-10.

Herb Sendek picked up his 1st Top-10 victory on his 5th try, and started 1-6 against the cream of the crop.

Sidney Lowe started 1-9, winning his 1st on the 8th go-around.

Mark Gottfried also won his 1st on the 8th try, posting a record of 2-12 in his 1st 14 games against the Top-10.

The last time NC State has beaten 4 Top-10 teams in the span of 13 months?

The 1984-85 season.

Kevin Keatts is a winner.