NC State’s 7-2 ACC Start Is the Best in 20 Years – And It’s Rarer Than You Think

NC State’s 7-2 start in ACC play marks the program’s best conference opening in 20 years. But just how rare is that achievement?

Since the ACC’s inaugural season in 1953-54, only 10 NC State teams have ever started conference play with a 7-2 record or better through nine games.

That list includes some of the most accomplished teams in Wolfpack history.

A Chance to Match the 2005-06 Team

With a win Tuesday night at SMU, NC State would improve to 8-2 in ACC play, matching the start of the 2005-06 Wolfpack.

That Herb Sendek-led team finished 10-6 in conference play, earned a No. 4 seed in the ACC Tournament, and posted a 22-10 overall record before falling in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. That group climbed as high as No. 13 nationally, appeared in 15 AP Polls, but narrowly missed the Final AP Poll.

The Last 7-2 Start Before That? Jimmy V.

The previous time NC State opened ACC play 7-2 was the 1988-89 season under Jim Valvano.

That team finished 10-4 in conference play, winning the ACC Regular Season Championship. Although the Wolfpack exited early in the ACC Tournament, they advanced to the Sweet 16 and finished 22-9 overall. NC State was ranked in every AP Poll that season, peaking at No. 13 and finishing No. 19 nationally.

Dominance in the 1970s

Two Wolfpack teams in the 1970s surpassed a 7-2 start entirely.

The 1972-73 and 1973-74 teams both went undefeated in ACC play, a level of dominance unmatched in modern conference play.

Other 7-2 Starts

• 1969-70: NC State opened 7-2, finished 9-5 in the ACC, won the ACC Tournament, and reached the Sweet 16. After starting unranked, the Wolfpack climbed to No. 5 and finished the season ranked 10th.
• 1964-65: A 7-2 ACC start led to a 10-4 conference finish, an ACC Tournament championship, and a 21-5 overall record.
• 1958-59: NC State opened 8-1 in ACC play, won both the regular season and ACC Tournament titles, and finished 22-4 overall.
• 1955-56: The Wolfpack started 7-2, won the ACC Regular Season and Tournament titles, finished 24-4, and ended the year ranked No. 2 in the Final AP Poll.
• 1954-55: Another 7-2 start under Everett Case led to a 12–2 ACC record, an ACC Tournament title, a 28-4 overall finish, and a No. 4 final national ranking.

Perspective Matters

It’s easy to focus on what lies ahead, but history provides context.

NC State’s current 7-2 ACC start places this team among a short list of Wolfpack squads that didn’t just compete in the conference – they defined eras.

And with a chance to move to 8-2, this group has an opportunity to carve out its own place in that history.