ACC Hoops: NC State Races Past NC Central in Season Opener, 114-66

RALEIGH, N.C. — In a statement-making debut for head coach Will Wade, the NC State Wolfpack dominated North Carolina Central Eagles 114-66 on Monday night at the Lenovo Center. The victory marked a decisive start to the 2025-26 season and set a tone for what the Pack hopes will be a resurgence in the ACC. (FOX Sports)

Game Recap & Key Stats

From the opening tip, NC State jumped ahead and never looked back, pulling away with authority.

• At halftime, the Wolfpack led 54-26, fueled by hot shooting and early momentum. (FOX Sports)
• The final margin: 114-66. (FOX Sports)
• Shooting numbers were impressive: NC State connected on 47.5% from three-point range (19-of-40) and shot around 57.8% overall (37-of-64) in one report. (FOX Sports)
• The Wolfpack tied a program record with 19 made threes in the game. (WRAL.com)
• Seven players scored in double digits, reflecting depth and balance. (FOX Sports)

Stand-Out Performers

• Darrion Williams led the way with 19 points and 8 assists, energizing the early surge with multiple three-pointers. (Technician)
• Paul McNeil Jr. provided 16 points, including a flurry of threes in the second half as he stepped into a larger role. (FOX Sports)
• Tre Holloman also contributed 15 points, with significant three-point shooting and defensive activity (steals were noted). (Technician)
• Matt Able, a freshman, made his mark with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists — showing promise right out of the gate. (Technician)

Coach Wade & Quotes

Coach Will Wade didn’t mince words in his post-game remarks:

“The reckoning is here. The Pack is back, and we are not to be messed with.” (Technician)
On the team’s three-point shooting:
“We got good shooters. We’re gonna let that thing fly.” (Technician)

His words aligned with the performance — an aggressive pace, plenty of open looks from beyond the arc, and a confident home crowd.

What It Means & Looking Ahead

For NC State, this win offers more than just three points in the W column. It reflects a potential shift in identity under Coach Wade: modern, perimeter-oriented, deep, and energetic. Tying a school record with 19 threes signals a strategic emphasis on shooting and spacing. (WRAL.com)

For North Carolina Central, the night exposed the gap between the programs in shooting, depth, and execution. Their challenge now is to regroup and find consistency.

Up next for the Wolfpack: A home matchup that will test whether their high-octane style can hold up when the competition rises. If Monday night was a preview, NC State could be building toward something significant.

Final Word

Monday’s 114-66 drubbing of NCCU was emphatic, clean, and full of promise for the Wolfpack. The blend of balanced scoring, efficient shooting, and a coach who clearly fired up his squad delivered a message: this isn’t business as usual at NC State. The program is aiming higher, and this win was a loud opener.