Unbeaten NC State Basketball Squad Remains Invisible to Voters
NC State basketball now holds the distinction of being the first defending ACC champion and reigning Final Four participant in history to begin a season 5-0 without receiving a single vote in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll or USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll along the way.
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Fifty teams, including the top 25, received at least one AP Poll vote this week. And that count is 47 for the Coaches Poll.
Again, NC State isn't among them.
POLL ALERT: Kansas stays at No. 1 ahead of showdown vs. No. 11 Duke, Tennessee into the top 10, Ole Miss, Mississippi St back in AP Top 25.
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) November 25, 2024
Full poll: https://t.co/ZJG5mgWrsa pic.twitter.com/VgACZM8G30
Of course, Kevin Keatts' eighth NC State basketball collection is sure to demand the voters' full attention should the Wolfpack emerge victorious at this week's four-team Rady Children's Invitational in San Diego. State begins that quest with a Final Four rematch against the now-No. 13 Purdue Boilermakers (5-1, 0-0 Big Ten) at 3 p.m. ET Thursday (FS1).
Meanwhile, for the fourth time in as many weeks this go-round, the only two ranked ACC programs are NC State's Tobacco Road neighbors in Jon Scheyer's Duke Blue Devils (4-1, 0-0 ACC) and Hubert Davis' UNC Tar Heels (3-1, 0-0 ACC). Duke checks in at No. 11, one notch above UNC.
The Pack, No. 10 in the final 2023-24 AP Top 25 Poll following its epic underdog journey to the program's first ACC title and Final Four appearance since the 1980s, hasn't seen a ranking by its name during the regular season since the 2022-23 NC State basketball squad popped up at No. 22 and No. 23 on the first two Mondays of February that year.
ALSO READ: Wolfpack Season Stat Leaders Through Resilient 5-0 Start
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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.