NC State’s defensive efficiency is ranked higher right now (#36) than it’s ever been

Coming into the season, there was a ton of talk about the offense. And yeah, the offense has been elite.

In fact, NC State’s offensive efficiency is ranked 25th in the nation.

But in my opinion, the defense is where NC State has been the most pleasantly surprising.

NC State’s defense is ranked #36 nationally in defensive efficiency.

Let’s put that into context. When do you think the last time NC State was ranked this high in this stat?

The answer? Never.

2026: 36th
2025: 106th
2024: 58th* (Final Four year)
2023: 80*
2022: 233
2021: 66
2020: 70
2019: 71
2018: 114*
2017: 206
2016: 164
2015: 76* (Sweet 16)
2014: 114
2013: 126*
2012: 67* (Sweet 16)
2011: 149
2010: 45
2009: 177
2008: 126

*= NCAA Tournament Appearance

NC State hasn’t ranked higher since the stat started being collected in 2008.

Their next best ranking was 45th during the 2009-10 season. That team featured Farnold Degand, Javi Gonzaelz, Johnny Thomas, Scott Wood, Dennis Horner, Josh Davis, Richard Howell, Tracy Smith, and Deshawn Painter.

That’s a pretty gritty defensive group right there, but it’s also one of the worst offenses I’ve ever seen NC State run out. In fact, only Tracy Smith, Dennis Horner, and Scott Wood had positive offensive rating numbers.

Sorry, got caught up in the dark years there.

Let’s get back on track…

So, how is NC State doing this defensively when the opening night starting 5 doesn’t have any defensive stoppers? (None of the opening night starting 5 have a DBPM grade in the 2’s aside from Copeland)?

Well, because the lineup has been adjusted.

Alyn Breed grades out high defensively. Musa Sagnia grades out high defensively, and Terrance Arceneaux has been off the charts in the grading during conference play.

Will Wade has been giving priority to defense when bringing guys off the bench, and it’s shown.

I think you couple that change with Brandon Chambers’ system, which is built on top of Patrick Stacy (asst. GM)’s analytics. They’ve done a great job of limiting the opposing team’s leading scorers and making everyone else beat them. To put it another way, they’ve been taking away their opponents’ desired offensive attack and making them adjust.

It’s worked, and say what you want, but NC State’s defense is looking better than it has for a long, long time.