NC State Basketball Takes First Step in Getting on Right Track
NC State basketball trailed the Notre Dame Fighting Irish by seven points at halftime on Wednesday night. The Wolfpack climbed back but fell behind by seven again, 63-56, with under four minutes to play.
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A loss at home to a Fighting Irish squad that entered the contest with a 7-7 overall record might've deflated NC State after suffering disappointing defeats at Virginia and Wake Forest last week. But the Wolfpack exhibited a refuse-to-lose mentality in crunch time, improving to 9-6 overall and 2-2 in ACC play via a 66-65 victory.
Kevin Keatts' bunch locked in defensively, knocked down a three, capitalized on transition opportunities, drew fouls, and made enough free throws to cap off a 10-2 run and secure the win.
State prevails! Kevin Keatts is a winner again.
— Matt Giles (@MattGilesBD) January 9, 2025
Time to prepare for UNC. pic.twitter.com/JZc3uO6QdA
"I mean, it's early," Keatts said about the 2024-25 campaign following the win. "I mean, you get a team, and you're gonna leave out of here tonight, you're either gonna be 1-3 or 2-2 [in conference] — 2-2 sounds a lot better than 1-3. And then you gotta take care of your home and, you know, continue to grow.
"It's gonna be a long season. We still have a lot of opportunities in the ACC. I've been watching games last night, and I was like, 'Man, this league, it's gonna be some great opportunities for some great wins.' But you gotta compete every night.
"And I thought, you know, getting away with a good win tonight was a good start for us."
Vibes are up 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/XlQO9dxUpU
— NC State Men's Basketball (@PackMensBball) January 9, 2025
Keatts and his eighth NC State basketball team look to build on it when they host the rival UNC Tar Heels (10-6, 3-1 ACC) in the Lenovo Center at 4 p.m. ET Saturday (ACC Network).
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Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.