NC State's high-powered offense was on full display as they routed Wake Forest 96-78 at the LJVM Coliseum. Paul McNeil Jr. led the charge with 28 points, guiding the Wolfpack to a convincing 18-point victory. The win marked a significant Quad 1 triumph for NC State, bolstering their already impressive tournament resume.
The first half belonged to NC State, as they stormed out to a 49-31 lead behind McNeil's 15 points. Wake Forest's Juke Harris tried to keep his team afloat, scoring 17 points in the opening period, but the Demon Deacons couldn't contain the Wolfpack's balanced attack. Darrion Williams and Ven-Allen Lubin chipped in with 10 and 8 points, respectively, as NC State's offense clicked on all cylinders.
In the second half, Wake Forest attempted to mount a comeback, but NC State's lead proved insurmountable. Harris finished with a game-high 31 points and 7 rebounds, but his efforts were not enough to overcome the Wolfpack's depth and shooting prowess. McNeil continued to shine, adding 13 points in the second half, while Williams and Lubin contributed 10 and 4 points, respectively.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The 18-point margin of victory far exceeded the predicted 6.7-point spread, as CHD Scout correctly forecasted an NC State win. The actual score of 96-78 was a far cry from the predicted 75-82, showcasing the Wolfpack's ability to dominate a quality opponent on the road.
This Quad 1 win will undoubtedly strengthen NC State's tournament resume, which already boasts a 16-6 record and a net ranking of 27. The victory will also serve as a valuable confidence booster for the Wolfpack, who have now proven they can excel against tough competition away from home. For Wake Forest, the loss drops them to 11-11, but the fact that it was a Quad 1 game will somewhat mitigate the damage to their tournament hopes.
As the season enters its final stretch, NC State's performance against Wake Forest will be a key talking point in their tournament profile. With their high-powered offense and ability to win on the road, the Wolfpack have solidified their position as a legitimate contender in the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, Wake Forest want to regroup and refocus, hoping to use this loss as a learning experience to propel them forward in their pursuit of a tournament berth. The outcome of this game has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances, and it will be interesting to see how they respond in the coming weeks.