Quadir Copeland’s 16-Assists, Zero-Turnover Night Was Nearly Unprecedented

Quadir Copeland delivered one of the most eye-popping stat lines college basketball has seen in years on Tuesday night.

The senior guard finished with 16 assists and zero turnovers in NC State’s 84-83 road win over SMU, authoring a performance that was not only elite, but historically rare.

To put it in perspective, the last time any Division I men’s player recorded 16 assists with zero turnovers came nearly six years ago. On February 28, 2019, Belmont’s Grayson Murphy achieved the feat in a 112-67 win over UT Martin. Within the ACC, the drought was even longer – the last occurrence came all the way back in 1997.

Climbing the NC State Record Books

Copeland’s 16 assists are tied for the fourth-most in a single game in NC State history:

1. Chris Corchiani, Maryland (2/27/91) 20
2. Spud Webb, Northeastern (2/15/84) 18
2. Sidney Lowe, West. Carolina (11/29/82) 18
4. Quadir Copeland, SMU (2/3/26) 16
4. Dennis Smith Jr., Rider (12/28/16) 16
4. Chris Corchiani, Florida St. (12/27/89) 16
4. Chris Corchiani, Alabama St. (12/20/88) 16
4. Chris Corchiani, Akron (11/28/88) 16

Copeland is now one of only five players in school history to record 16 or more assists in a single game.

Impact Beyond the Box Score

Those 16 assists directly produced 44 NC State points, meaning Copeland was responsible for 52.4 percent of the Wolfpack’s total scoring output without forcing a single turnover.

Sixteen assists. Zero mistakes. Complete command of the game.

Making Every Game Count

Copeland only gets one season in Raleigh, but performances like this ensure it will be one fans remember long after the final buzzer.

Highlights