NC State Basketball improved to 10-2 in their last 12 games in Raleigh against Wake Forest, defeating the Demon Deacons 85-73 on Saturday afternoon.
NC State Basketball decided to shake things up with the starting line-up to light a spark under the team. Freshman Paul McNeil, Jr. got his first career start and ended up with a career-high 24 points. Michael O’Connell set a career-high with 13 assists while falling one point shy of a double-double.
Wake Forest was led by senior Cameron Hildreth with 16 points, but the team only scored one field goal in the last eight minutes of the game.
Takeaway #1: Withstood Wake’s second-half comeback
For the 14th time this season, Wake Forest was trailing when both teams went to the locker room for halftime. The Wolfpack would take the lead 40-34 into the locker room.
Once the teams returned to the court, Wake started to make a comeback. This would culminate with NC State being down 61-56 with just under 8:30 left in the game.
18-2 run!!
📺: ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/Mn68hT1CUX
— NC State Men’s Basketball (@PackMensBball) February 22, 2025
Then, the Wolfpack would hit three consecutive three-pointers. Along with two jumpers from Dontrez Styles, Wake’s five-point lead turned into an eight-point deficit that Wake would not be able to overcome.
After being dominated by North Carolina on Saturday, NC State needed to have a season defining game to hang their hats on as they try to make the ACC Tournament.
Takeaway #2: Dominated the paint, but could not get hot from three
One of Wake’s calling cards this season has been dominating the paint. In all but five games coming into this matchup, Wake won the battle in the paint which would help them win 17 games.
Against NC State, while the margin was four points, the Demon Deacons dropped 32 points inside the paint.
Make way 💨 pic.twitter.com/GMbzwRa4pH
— Wake Forest Men’s Basketball (@WakeMBB) February 22, 2025
“Credit to [NC State]. I don’t think Styles fouled us the entire game defensively,” said Coach Steve Forbes. “They had a freshman come in who only averages three points a game and he finished with 24. He’s a really good player, but he was just too comfortable. I didn’t think we came in with a sense of urgency.”
For the first time since back-to-back games against Duke and North Carolina, Wake was unable to shot over 30% from beyond the arc. With the defeat, they are now 1-11 against the other Big 4 teams on the road under Forbes.
Takeaway #3: Paul McNeil, Jr. took full advantage of first start
The freshmen from Rockingham, NC had scored 13 points in two of the last three matchups. This led Kevin Keatts to shake up the starting lineup.
“I looked at a couple of different situations and decided to insert Paul into the lineup,” said Keatts. “And obviously, proud of him — career-high 24 points.”
For just the second time this season, Marcus Hill went to the bench in favor of McNeil. He responded with scoring State’s first five points.
Let ‘em know, P2.
📺: ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/twKPpZnygH
— NC State Men’s Basketball (@PackMensBball) February 22, 2025
In the second half alone, he went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc for nine of his 24 points for the game. In the final eight minutes of the game, McNeil hits two three-pointers and the exclamation dunk with 36 seconds left to give NC State the 12-point victory.
The Pack need to continue their winning ways against Syracuse, who are currently one game ahead of NC State, or the chances of making the ACC Tournament may become too far to overcome.
Next up for NC State basketball (11-16, 4-12): at Syracuse (11-16, 5-11) – Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. EST
Next up for Wake Forest basketball (17-10, 11-5): vs. Virginia (13-13, 6-9) – Feb. 26 at 9 p.m. EST