The Wolfpack finished non-conference play last night with a 97-64 victory over Loyola Maryland, improving to 12-1 on the year, marking the best start at NC State since 2005-06.
In fact, the hot start is tied for the best start since 1973-74, when the Wolfpack won the National Championship, finishing with a 30-1 record.
2018-19 – 12-1
2005-06 – 12-1
1988-89 – 12-1 (ACC Regular Season Champions)
Only 9 NC State teams have started a season 12-1.
If NC State beats Miami next Thursday night on the road in their ACC opener, their 13-1 record would be the BEST start since the 1974 championship season.
Only 5 Wolfpack teams have started a season with a 13-1 record.
1973-74 – 30-1 (ACC Champions/National Champions)
1972-73 – 27-0 (Postseason Ban)
1969-70 – 17-1 (ACC Champions)
1964-65 – 12-1 (ACC Champions)
1954-55 – 14-1 (ACC Champions)
1950-51 – 15-1 (Southern Conference Champions)
Not sure if you noticed, but every NC State team that has started the year 13-1, went on to win their conference championship (Don’t even come at me with the 1972-73 season. The Wolfpack might not have received a banner in the rafters that year, but they were the rightful ACC champs.).