North Carolina State's Quadir Copeland stole the show at the Petersen Events Center, leading his team to an 81-72 victory over Pittsburgh. Copeland's impressive outing, which included 20 points and 9 assists, was the catalyst for the Wolfpack's win. The junior guard's performance was complemented by strong showings from Ven-Allen Lubin, who chipped in 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Paul McNeil Jr., who added 15 points.
The game got off to a tightly contested start, with NC State holding a slim 34-33 lead at halftime. However, the Wolfpack's offense caught fire in the second half, scoring 47 points and pulling away from the Panthers. Pittsburgh, led by Roman Siulepa's 15 points and 13 rebounds, struggled to keep pace with NC State's high-powered offense. Siulepa's double-double was a bright spot for the Panthers, who also received solid contributions from Damarco Minor and Barry Dunning Jr.
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had NC State winning by 7.3 points, and the Wolfpack ultimately exceeded that margin by 1.5 points. The predicted score of 70-70 was not close to the actual outcome, but the predicted winner was correct. The accuracy of the prediction is a reflection of the scout's ability to gauge the strengths and weaknesses of both teams.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The win improves NC State's record to 14-6, while Pittsburgh falls to 8-12. The victory is a significant one for the Wolfpack, as it adds another quality win to their resume. This game was classified as a Quadrant 2 win for NC State, while it was a Quadrant 1 loss for Pittsburgh. The distinction is important, as it affects the teams' NET rankings and, by extension, their NCAA Tournament chances.
For NC State, the win reinforces their position as a tournament contender. With a current NET ranking of 30, the Wolfpack are well within the bubble. This win, combined with their strong overall record, will likely keep them in the conversation for an at-large bid. On the other hand, Pittsburgh's loss is a setback, but not a devastating one. The Panthers' NET ranking of 119 is still relatively high, and they have time to make up ground in the conference standings.
The outcome of this game has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. NC State's ability to win on the road against a decent opponent will be viewed favorably by the selection committee. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's struggles against top-tier teams will be a concern, but they can still make a push for the postseason with strong play in their conference schedule. As the season enters its final stretch, both teams want to build on this result and make a push for the NCAA Tournament.