Quick Hits from #23 NC State’s 102-97 Loss to Texas

#23 NC State just lost 102-97 to Texas in their final game of the 2025 Maui Invitational. Here are my quick hits.

Box Score

• That was a truly disastrous defensive performance by NC State. I’m talking historically bad.
  • The last time the Wolfpack gave up 102 points in a game was on January 13th, 2021, when Florida St. put 105 points on the board (105-73). 
  • You ready for some more bad history?
    • The Longhorns hit 16 three pointers, tying the record for the most three’s made by an opponent in NC State HISTORY. 
  • You ready for even MORE bad history?
    • The last time NC State scored 97 points and lost a game was on January 16th, 1991, when the Pack lost  104-100 at Maryland. 
  • Texas shot an insane 55.8% from the field, and 50% from three.
  • Why did NC State lose this game?
    • They allowed Texas to make 16 three’s. Plain and simple, that was the difference in the contest.
      • Yes, the Longhorns were +5 in points off of turnovers, but NC State was +2 in second chance points and +26 in points in the paint.
      • The switch man-zone defense and aggressive help defense provided wide open three after wide open three.
      • In fairness, Texas sunk quite a few three’s on the break. NC State was terrible at getting back in transition. The Longhorns were +7 in fast break points (24-7).
    • To critique the Wolfpack’s defense even more, they failed to turnover Texas, forcing only 7, which is the least amount of forced turnovers by NC State this year (by 5).
• A few positive things must be said.
  • NC State did score 97 points. They shot 53.1% from the field, and 47.4% from three…and they LOST.
  • Senior Guard Quadir Copeland was outstanding, leading the squad in points and assists, with 28 and 6 (2 turnovers).
    • He made 10-14 from the field, and 2-3 from beyond the arc.
    • Copeland’s 28 points is a new career high (previous high was 25).
    • This dude left it all on the court, playing till the final second ticked off the clock.
  • Senior Forward Ven-Allen Lubin played his best game in a Wolfpack uniform.
    • Lubin had 23 points (10-14 FG) and 9 rebounds (team lead).
  • Sophomore Guard Paul McNeil Jr. finished with 20 points, marking the 2nd time this season he has scored 20+ points.
    • McNeil Jr. was 6 of 11 from the field, and 3 of 6 from deep.
• Senior Forward Darrion Williams struggled mightily, finishing with 10 points on 3 of 10 shooting.
  • Honestly, if Williams isn’t getting a wide open shot, or playing with his back to the basket, his offensive game has proven to be limited. He hasn’t proven to be very effective facing his man, and taking them off the dribble.
• I guess I’m not done with negatives.
  • NC State committed 27 fouls, which is a new season high.
  • This team has committed 20+ fouls in 5 out of 7 games.
    • That makes it hard to win basketball games.
  • Fans can boo hoo at refs all they want, but the truth is, this team commits way too many fouls a million feet from the hoop, and in general is aggressive with hand checks and pushing their opponent.
• Getting ranked early in the season truly means nothing. NC State entered the Top-25 after 4 games, playing lesser opponents.
  • This team won’t be ranked next week, nor should they. They aren’t one of the 25 best teams in college basketball right now. Not even close.
  • Can they be? Maybe, but they have a lot to figure out.