A Historical Look at NC State in the Men’s NCAA Tournament

NC State is headed to the Men’s NCAA Tournament for the 30th time in school history, earning a #11 seed in the 2026 Big Dance.

If you want to get technical, only 28 of the Wolfpack’s 30 appearances officially count, as the 1987 and 1988 NCAA Tournament appearances were vacated due to NCAA violations.

NC State as an #11 Seed

This marks the fifth time NC State has been a #11 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The #11 seed worked out quite well for the Wolfpack the last time they went dancing. In 2024, NC State made a historic run to the Final Four as an #11 seed.

Ironically, the Wolfpack has now earned an #11 seed in each of its last three NCAA Tournament appearances.

NC State owns a 6-4 all-time record as an #11 seed.

Because the Wolfpack will play in a First Four matchup tomorrow, they will also face another #11 seed in Texas.

Here’s an interesting note: NC State has never lost to another #11 seed, holding a 4-0 record in those matchups.

NC State in the First Four

Since the NCAA Tournament expanded from 64 teams to 68 teams in 2011, NC State has played in the First Four just one other time.

That came in 2014, when the #12 seeded Wolfpack defeated Xavier 74-59 in Dayton.

NCAA Tournament History in Dayton

NC State’s matchup against the Longhorns tomorrow night will be played in Dayton, Ohio, marking the third time the Wolfpack has played an NCAA Tournament game there.

NC State has split its previous two games in Dayton.

• 2013: #8 NC State lost 76-72 to #9 Temple
• 2014: #12 NC State defeated Xavier 74-59

NCAA Tournament Resume

NC State enters tomorrow’s game with an all-time NCAA Tournament record of 41-27.

Among ACC programs, the Wolfpack ranks:

• 6th in NCAA Tournament appearances
• 5th in NCAA Tournament individual game victories