NC State’s 8-2 ACC Start Puts the Wolfpack in Rare Company

NC State’s dramatic 84-83 road win at SMU last night didn’t just add another tally to the win column – it pushed the Wolfpack into historically rare territory.

With the victory, NC State improved to 8-2 in ACC play, a feat the program has accomplished only nine times in the 73-year history of ACC men’s basketball. The last time the Wolfpack reached this mark was 20 years ago.

This isn’t just a hot stretch. It’s a benchmark that has historically signaled special seasons in Raleigh.

Matching the 2005-06 Wolfpack

The most recent NC State team to open ACC play at 8–2 was the 2005–06 squad under Herb Sendek.

That group went on to:

• Finish 10-6 in ACC play
• Earn a No. 4 seed in the ACC Tournament
• Post a 22-10 overall record
• Reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament

That team climbed as high as No. 13 nationally, appeared in 15 AP Polls, and narrowly missed the Final AP Poll – a strong reminder of what an 8-2 ACC start can foreshadow.

The Last Time Before That? Jimmy V.

Before 2005–06, NC State hadn’t started ACC play 8-2 since 1988-89, led by Jim Valvano.

That team:

• Finished 10-4 in ACC play
• Won the ACC Regular Season Championship
• Advanced to the Sweet 16
• Ended the year 22-9 overall
• Was ranked in every AP Poll, peaking at No. 13 and finishing No. 19

Again, the pattern holds – strong starts often led to memorable finishes.

Dominance in the 1970s

Two Wolfpack teams didn’t just start 8-2 – they blew past it entirely.

• 1972-73: Undefeated in ACC play
• 1973-74: Undefeated in ACC play

Those teams represent the gold standard in NC State basketball history, anchoring this season’s start among elite company.

Other 8-2 Starts

1969-70:

• Finished 9-5 in ACC play
• Won the ACC Tournament
• Reached the Sweet 16
• Climbed to No. 5 nationally
• Final record: 23-7

1958-59:

• Won ACC Regular Season and Tournament titles
• Finished 22-4 overall
• Ranked No. 1 nationally at one point
• Finished No. 6

1955-56:

• ACC Regular Season and Tournament champions
• Finished 24-4
• Ended No. 2 in the Final AP Poll

1954-55:

• 12-2 in ACC play
• ACC Tournament champions
• Finished 28-4 overall
• Ranked No. 4 nationally

Road Warriors

What makes this year’s start even more impressive is how NC State has done it.

Six of the Wolfpack’s ten conference games have been played on the road – and NC State has won all six.

Only three teams in program history, including this one, have ever opened ACC play 6-0 in conference road games.

It’s rare. It’s difficult. And historically, it matters.