NC State Wins ACC Tournament Opener, Locks in NCAA Bid

0:00On March 11th, NC State kicked off the ACC tournament with a solid 98-88 win over Pitt, their first game in the event in nearly two years. Quater Copeland led the way with 24 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds, shooting efficiently from the field and free throw line. Five Wolfpack players hid double figures, including Van Allen-Luven with 18 points and perfect from the stripe. The game started slow for NC State as Pitt drained early threes to build a lead, but the Wolfpack responded with a 10-nothing run to take control. They carried a slim 51-50 lead into halftime, thanks to balance scoring and strong free-throw work. In the second half, a quick 10-1 spurt pushed their advantage to double digits. Fans and the team desperately needed this victory to shake off a recent skid and ease tournament nerves. It showed resilience with better offensive flow and heart, though defensive lapses lingered like trouble with consecutive stops and loose balls. Being ahead, this win likely locks in an NCAA tournament bid, giving the squad breathing

1:03room. They face Virginia in the quarterfinals tomorrow at noon, where fixing those defensive woes will be key to building momentum. If NC State can deliver a complete effort on both ends against the Cavaliers, they'll head into March Madness with real confidence and momentum for the fans.