Duke’s Riley Nelson and Toby Fournier walk off the court following the Blue Devils’ 83-65 win over N.C. State on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C.
Kaitlin McKeown
kmckeown@newsobserver.com
No. 9 Duke defeats N.C. State 83-65 on Thursday at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, extending the Blue Devils’ win streak to 17 games.
Duke’s Toby Fournier led the team with 26 points and 12 rebounds. The Blue Devils are the only remaining unbeaten ACC team in conference play.
N.C. State will face Syracuse on Sunday in Raleigh. The Blue Devils will have a road contest at Clemson.
Duke’s Toby Fournier blocks a shot by N.C. State’s Khamil Pierre during the first half of the Blue Devils’ game on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Riley Nelson and Arianna Roberson, center, react during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 83-65 win over N.C. State on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Ashlon Jackson drives to the basket past N.C. State’s Khamil Pierre during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 83-65 win on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Jordan Wood celebrates with teammate Ashlon Jackson after Jackson drew an and-one during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 83-65 win over N.C. State on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Zamareya Jones reacts after a foul was called during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 83-65 loss to Duke on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Ashlon Jackson waves to the crowd after knocking down a shot late in the second half of the Blue Devils’ 83-65 win over N.C. State on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke head coach Kara Lawson reacts on the sidelines during the first half of the Blue Devils’ game against N.C. State on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Qadence Samuels pulls down a rebound over Duke’s Riley Nelson during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 83-65 loss on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke head coach Kara Lawson speaks with her team during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 83-65 win over N.C. State on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Jordan Wood pressures N.C. State’s Zamareya Jones during the first half of the Blue Devils’ 83-65 win on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Arianna Roberson protests a call by an official during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 83-65 win over N.C. State on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke head coach Kara Lawson speaks with Riley Nelson during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 83-65 win over N.C. State on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Zoe Brooks drives past Duke’s Taina Mair and Jordan Wood during the first half of the Wolfpack’s game on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Tilda Trygger corrals a rebound away from Duke’s Toby Fournier during the first half of the Wolfpack’s 83-65 loss on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Taina Mair drives past N.C. State’s Devyn Quigley and Zamareya Jones during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 83-65 win on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
N.C. State head coach Wes Moore speaks to an official during the first half of the Wolfpack’s 83-65 loss to Duke on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Toby Fournier reacts after knocking down a three-point basket during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 83-65 win over N.C. State on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Delaney Thomas grabs a pass over N.C. State’s Khamil Pierre during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 83-65 win on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Taina Mair drives past N.C. State’s Khamil Pierre and Maddie Cox during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 83-65 win on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
N.C. State head coach Wes Moore greets Duke head coach Kara Lawson prior to their teams’ matchup on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
This story was originally published February 19, 2026 at 9:43 PM.
N.C. State basketball coach Will Wade called his team “soft” on Saturday after losing its second straight game and blowing a lead in the final minute of play.
He didn’t know what to expect coming into the N.C. State-North Carolina matchup. The Wolfpack hadn’t lost three straight games this season, but it has struggled at home in ACC play and against ranked opponents.
Wade’s crew responded with an 82-58 win at Lenovo Center, tying for the fewest points scored by Carolina this season.
N.C. State’s Quadir Copeland reacts on the bench following a basket by Terrance Arceneaux during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 82-58 win over North Carolina on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
It was one of the worst losses by a ranked UNC team to an unranked N.C. State team and the largest Wolfpack win over the Tar Heels since 1962.
“I thought we played with more of an edge today. Thought our guys were locked in and ready to go,” Wade said following the game. “I felt that the last couple days, we had a couple good days of prep. Guys got off the mat. You always gotta do your best work in tough circumstances. Our guys certainly did that and played with more bite to us today.”
N.C. State’s Jordan Snell and Matt Able celebrate following the Wolfpack’s 82-58 win over North Carolina on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
In the only way a rivalry can, the Wolfpack (19-8, 10-4 ACC) played with a renewed sense of motivation — like it had something to prove. It was anything but soft in dominating a UNC team playing without injured starters Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar.
The game was physical and chaotic, with several injuries to the Pack occurring in the first half. UNC’s Jarin Stevenson also left the game in the second half due to bleeding.
Despite the wild sequences of events, N.C. State fired on all cylinders to dominate the No. 16 Tar Heels (20-6, 8-5) for virtually the entire game.
North Carolina’s Seth Trimble drives past N.C. State’s Matt Able, Ven-Allen Lubin and Paul McNeil in first half action in Raleigh, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Five different N.C. State players reached double figures, while Zayden High and Stevenson led the Tar Heels with 13 points each. High led all players with 10 rebounds.
Quadir Copeland led the Wolfpack with 20 points, while Matt Able added a career-high 19 points. It was the second time in as many games that Able set a new personal best.
The Wolfpack defense held the Tar Heels to their worst first-half shooting percentages of the season, holding the visitors to 26 points. UNC went to the locker room after shooting 25% from the field and 6.3% from 3-point range.
N.C. State’s offense, meanwhile, scored 42 points on 53.1% field goal shooting and a 55.6% clip from distance. It was the sixth time in ACC that the Wolfpack eclipsed 40 points in the opening period.
The success can be partially attributed to its defense creating opportunities — it forced five turnovers — but UNC’s own defense didn’t help the cause.
“I just felt like our competitive fight wasn’t there, especially from a defensive standpoint. They didn’t feel us defensively,” UNC head coach Hubert Davis said. “They didn’t feel our presence at all. … That is our heartbeat, our lifeline. I tell the team this all the time. There’s no other way. There’s no other road. There’s no other route. It starts with us, with defense and rebounding. That’s what leads us to really good offense, and we weren’t tough enough.”
That was one of the Tar Heels’ worst first-half defensive performances after giving up 41 to Duke, 47 to Stanford and 54 to California.
The Wolfpack continued to pour it on in the second half, leading by as many as 23 points to give the Tar Heels’ their largest deficit of the season. Walk-on Jordan Snell even got minutes during garbage time.
N.C. State coach Will Wade questions a call by an official in the first half against North Carolina on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Copeland has his way against Carolina
Quadir Copeland has become one of the Wolfpack’s most valuable players. He proved that once again. Copeland, a 6-foot-6 and 220-pound guard, dominated the UNC defense with ease to score a game-high 20 points.
The Syracuse and McNeese State transfer started the game 5 of 11 from the field for 13 first-half points and five assists.
N.C. State guard Quadir Copeland (11) drives to the basket between North Carolina guard Luka Bogavac (44) and center Zayden High (1) in the first half on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
It didn’t seem to matter who guarded Copeland, either. Derek Dixon, High, Stevenson and Seth Trimble all fell victim to Copeland’s shiftiness and sheer athleticism in the lane, giving up buckets to the senior guard.
Copeland’s ability to drive inside didn’t create points for himself alone, though. He passed out of a double team, finding freshman Matt Able on the perimeter for a corner 3.
“He reminds me a little bit of (former Tar Heel) Theo Pinson,” UNC head coach Hubert Davis said on Monday during a media call. “Theo was 6-6, 6-7, and he really was a facilitator. Theo was a big guard that could do a number of things. He could handle, he could pass, he could score around a basket, he could shoot.
“Quadir reminds me a lot of him, with his ability just to make plays, not only for himself, but for his teammates, whether it’s on the perimeter or passes around the basket. He’s got a good understanding of when to pass and when to shoot, takes good shots, and does a good job of taking care of the basketball. He’s really a unique and good player.”
Copeland continued to dominate in the second half.
His defense forced an inbounds turnover and a travel in the first five minutes of the second half.
He finished with six rebounds and seven assists, without a turnover, to go with his 20 points.
Copeland has now reached double figures in four straight games, including a 21-point performance against Virginia Tech. N.C. State is 15-4 when the senior dishes out at least six dimes.
Pack wins turnover battle with ease
Both teams have taken care of the ball all season, and the ability to limit mistakes, while forcing ones on defense, was going to be a major key.
N.C. State came away victorious in that metric. The Wolfpack forced 12 UNC turnovers and only committed four of its own.
“They’re really good defensively,” Davis said. “They do a really good job of getting steals and deflections, disrupting you on the defensive end, not allowing you to, from an offensive standpoint, consistently stay in rhythm.”
This has been a defensive priority all season. N.C. State entered the game averaging 9.2 turnovers per game in ACC play (No. 2) and forcing a league-leading 12.8 turnovers, nearly nine of which were steals. Its 3.7 turnover margin led the conference.
Meanwhile, Carolina led league play, coughing up the ball only 8.4 times per game. However, it didn’t typically pressure the ball and ranked No. 16 in forced turnovers (9.7).
North Carolina struggles from deep
There was one first-half sequence that pretty much summed up UNC’s struggles from deep.
With just over six minutes remaining until halftime, Stevenson rebounded a missed jumper from Derek Dixon. What followed were three straight attempts from deep by the Tar Heels, thanks to two more offensive rebounds (three in a row when you add Stevenson’s). Was UNC’s ability to tip out the ball impressive? Was North Carolina’s inability to knock down the outside shot concerning? Even more so.
The Tar Heels shot just 6.3% from the perimeter in the first half. West Virginia transfer Jonathan Powell was the only North Carolina player to record a 3-pointer in 16 attempts by the team before halftime.
North Carolina’s early struggles from deep were a mere symptom of the team’s poor shooting performance as a whole. UNC’s 25% clip in the first half was its worst shooting performance in any half this season.
It didn’t help that the Tar Heels failed to move the ball effectively, instead relying on stagnant stretches of isolation drives to generate offense. North Carolina recorded just two assists to five turnovers in the first half. UNC moved the ball more effectively after halftime, with seven assists, but also turned the ball over as many times.
Frontcourt absences hamstring Tar Heels
Wilson (left hand) and Veesaar (lower extremity) were out for the second game in a row for UNC on Tuesday night after also missing Saturday’s contest against Pitt.
Wilson and Veesaar are the Tar Heels’ leading scorers, with Wilson averaging 19.8 points and Veesaar 16.4.
N.C. State’s Ven-Allen Lubin slams in two during the first half of the Wolfpack’s 82-58 win over North Carolina on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
In the 72 previous seasons of ACC basketball, UNC played just one game without the two players who finished the season one-two in scoring. It came on February 23, 1978, when Phil Ford and Mike O’Koren did not play in a 72-67 loss to — you guessed it — N.C. State at Reynolds Coliseum.
The absences from North Carolina’s roster felt especially pronounced on Tuesday night, especially with the bully ball tactics of Darrion Williams and Copeland. Both guards are six-foot-six and roughly 220 pounds, and both used that size to their advantage against UNC.
There was nothing complicated about the dribble drives from Williams and Copeland — outside of one nifty second-half slash from Copeland in which he used a pair of spin moves to score over Powell. For the most part, the guards simply turned their backs and muscled their way into the paint, forcing their defender — be it Stevenson, Dixon, Powell or Jaydon Young — to guard them one-on-one. The help defense of an uber-athletic Wilson or towering seven-foot Veesaar wasn’t there to save them. And, with a tightened rotation, the Tar Heels likely had to be careful not to foul.
N.C. State’s Jordan Snell reacts as he checks into the game late in the second half of the Wolfpack’s 82-58 win over North Carolina on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
North Carolina’s Jarin Stevenson drives to the basket against N.C. State’s Darrion Williams and Ven-Allen Lubin in first half action. Williams left the game with an injury to the face after hitting the floor hard, but returned to action before the half. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
N.C. State forward Ven-Allen Lubin (22) battles for a rebound with North Carolina center Zayden High (1) and guard Kyan Evans (0) in the first half on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State head coach Will Wade talks with his team late in the second half of the Wolfpack’s 82-58 win over North Carolina on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
This story was originally published February 17, 2026 at 9:21 PM.
U.S. sports books, KenPom and ESPN all listed N.C. State as a heavy favorite over Virginia Tech, expecting the Wolfpack to win by 10 points.
N.C. State head coach Will Wade said earlier this week his team is on a much better trajectory and playing better than it was earlier in the ACC schedule. Wade also said the Hokies are a better team than their record indicates, pointing to its buzzer beater losses at Wake Forest and SMU, and its triple-overtime win at Virginia.
As expected, the Wolfpack was the better team on Saturday, finally pulling away to beat Virginia Tech, 83-72, at Lenovo Center. N.C. State has won six straight games. That is the longest win streak by N.C. State since the 1973-74 season.
The Wolfpack (18-6, 9-2 ACC) put together several stretches of great play, and though N.C. State struggled with defensive containment in the second half, it answered every Hokies surge.
“They played with desperation. They played how you would want to play in the situation that they’re in,” Wade said on Saturday. Our guys answered those runs and answered those changes in momentum very well. I thought we did a good job staying connected, staying together.”
With 12 minutes remaining, N.C. State gave up consecutive open 3-pointers to Jaden Schutt, the Hokies’ most efficient 3-point shooter (41%). That cut the Wolfpack lead to three points after it had climbed back to a 13-point advantage three minutes earlier.
Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young said, emphasizing he wasn’t criticizing Wade’s team, that the Wolfpack “is going to play the way they play.”
“They will give you the opportunity to get back,” Young said. “They’ll also punch you again if you don’t take advantage of those opportunities.”
Tre Holloman, Quadir Copeland and Paul McNeil provided the majority of scoring down the stretch to push their squad past the visitors, scoring 20 of the Wolfpack’s 22 points in the final 10 minutes.
McNeil and Copeland finished with 21 points each. Copeland, who surpassed 1,000 career points, also added 10 assists and five steals. The senior has recorded at least nine assists in five straight games. Holloman scored 16 points with three 3s
Darrion Williams was held to four points on 1-of-9 shooting, while adding five rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal.
N.C. State’s Quadir Copeland smiles as he leaves the court following the Wolfpack’s 82-73 win over Virginia Tech on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Though the Wolfpack led by as many as 13 points in the first half, the Hokies continued to respond the entire game. Wade, on his radio show Thursday, said his team would need persistence.
“This is an important game. They’re very well coached,” Wade said of Virginia Tech. “There’s not many coaches in the country I respect more than Mike Young. He was at Wofford when I was at Chattanooga. … “They’re on the bubble, so we’re gonna get their absolute best shot. And it’s on us to make sure that we’re, you know, we’re playing well and doing what we need to do to play our best.”
The Wolfpack and Hokies (16-8, 5-6) were tied at 6-6 four minutes into the game before N.C. State went on a 14-1 run over the course of 3 1/2 minutes. The run gave the Wolfpack at 13-point lead, capped off by Holloman’s 3 on the wing.
The Wolfpack, however, got seemingly too comfortable with its advantage. N.C. State’s offense went 2 of 9 in the following 7 1/2 minutes of the first half, often shooting quick 3s with limited passing or drives inside. Thankfully for the Wolfpack’s winning streak, it took an 11-0 run to regain a double-digit lead. N.C. State went to the locker room with a 36-24 advantage, shooting just over 48% from the field.
N.C. State’s Tre Holloman drives past Virginia Tech’s Neoklis Avdalas during the first half of the Wolfpack’s game on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Virginia Tech’s 24 first-half points were the second-fewest allowed by the Wolfpack this season — second only to the 19 points given up to Liberty in December — and fewest against a Power Four opponent this year.
Amani Hansberry led the Hokies with 19 points, scoring 16 in the second half. He has surpassed the 10-point mark five times in the last six games.
Tobi Lawal added 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Hokies.
Neoklis Avdalas added 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting, reaching double figures for the first time in three games. He averaged 5.3 points across the previous three outings, including two 1-of-8 performances against Louisville and Duke.
Early interior defense gives Pack lead
N.C. State’s early defense locked down the paint early, limiting Virginia Tech’s ability to take short-range shots.
The Wolfpack held the Hokies scoreless from the lane in the first nine minutes of play, while the offense had success driving inside and took a 14-0 lead in the paint. Virginia Tech did not make its first layup until 11 minutes had elapsed.
N.C. State went to the locker room with a 20-8 scoring advantage in the lane.
N.C. State’s Matt Able drives between Virginia Tech’s Jailen Bedford and Ben Hammond during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 82-73 win on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State was far less successful in the second half and ended the game with a 38-36 scoring advantage in the lane. This remains an issue for the team, which is inconsistent with its interior defense.
The Wolfpack’s first-half strength, however, allowed N.C. State to take a lead and play from ahead for more than 37 minutes.
N.C. State averages 33 points in the paint per game on the season and 30.3 in ACC play.
Defense contains Hokies’ leaders in first half
Hansberry and Ben Hammond entered the game as two of the Hokies’ leading scorers. Hammond averaged 12.8 points per game, and Hansberry contributed 15 points per game this season.
On Saturday, the duo combined for three first-half points on 1-of-16 (6.3%) shooting from the field. They were 0 for 7 from 3-point range in the first 20 minutes.
“Shout out Jig,” Copeland said, referring to Holloman by his nickname. “He set the tone on why their guards were what they were in the first half. He set the tone, switching on and off, switching from a 6-9 guard to a 5-9, 5-11 guard. He’s gonna be humble with his answer, but I’m gonna let y’all guys know.”
Holloman said he takes pride in defense but felt like he’s been slacking.
“I want to set that spark for our team, and it worked,” Holloman said.
Hansberry didn’t go down quietly, despite his slow start. He finished with 19 points, but went 0 for 5 on 3-pointers.
Hansberry was coming off a 20-point performance in the Hokies’ loss to Duke. Hammond, meanwhile, had scored double figures in the previous six games and averaged 16.6 points per game during that stretch.
Hammond went 0 for 9 from the field and played 14 minutes in the second half on Saturday.
“We were face guarding him in the full court, trying to make it difficult for him to get the ball,” Wade said. “Tre did that. Tre played great. Played 36, 37 minutes, and hounded Hammond up and down the court.
“I think by the time he got the ball, he was a little bit tired, a little bit fatigued. He took some tough mid-range shots, fadeaway shots, settled for some 3s.”
Uncharacteristic turnovers
Paul McNeil led all players in scoring, but he struggled at times with his ball handling. The sophomore committed three turnovers, half of what he’d committed the entire season.
McNeil entered the game with six turnovers on the season, ranking No. 2 in the nation with a 2.9% turnover rate. Part of that was his lack of dribbling, primarily being a catch-and-shoot player.
“I always tell him, ‘Shoot it before you turn it over, fire that thing up at the basket,’” Wade said this week. “If you shoot it, we’ve got a chance for it to go in. We’ve got a chance to get fouled, and we’ve got a chance to get an offensive rebound. If you turn it over, we’ve got none of those chances.”
Wade was proven correct on a handful of possessions when McNeil made the basket and got fouled on a 3-point attempt. McNeil made up for the miscues, but he won’t want a repeat of those turnovers.
As a team, the Wolfpack finished with 11 turnovers, slightly over its average of 8.8 turnovers in ACC play.
This story was originally published February 7, 2026 at 2:31 PM.
Exterior of the N.C. State Chancellor’s home, called The Point, on the school’s Centennial Campus in Raleigh, NC, seen on Dec. 20, 2011. A woman was arrested Sunday after allegedly breaking into the home while Chancellor Kevin Howell was inside.
Chris Seward
cseward@newsobserver.com
RALEIGH
A woman was arrested Sunday after police say she broke into N.C. State Chancellor Kevin Howell’s home while he was inside.
As first reported by CBS17, Maya McKenzie Barbour, 44, is charged with first-degree burglary in the incident on N.C. State’s Centennial Campus, according to her arrest warrant.
Police were called to the home about 8:45 a.m. after a woman was discovered sleeping inside the $3.5 million home, according to N.C. State spokesperson Mick Kulikowski.
Barbour is not affiliated with the university, Kulikowski said.
Police say she entered the home “with intent to commit a larceny,” though court documents don’t specify what she allegedly planned to steal.
Court records show Barbour has been in and out of jail in Cumberland and Wake counties multiple times since the spring of 2024. In 2025 alone, she had multiple charges, including indecent exposure and second-degree trespassing, dismissed in five cases.
Court documents repeatedly list Barbour as being homeless, and before Sunday’s incident, she had most recently been arrested in November in Raleigh on a charge of simple assault. The Wake County District Attorney’s Office dismissed the charge Jan. 23, two days before the alleged break-in, because Barbour had served more time in jail than she would have been sentenced to, according to court records.
Barbour was involuntarily committed in Cumberland County in July 2025 after she allegedly refused to speak with a forensic evaluator who wanted to determine her capacity to proceed with a trial on charges of indecent exposure and resisting a public officer.
“Defendant’s speech is frantic and disorganized. defendant is unable to answer questions about her case in a sensical [sic] manner,” an assistant district attorney wrote in a July 14, 2025, filing. “Defendant’s answers to questions about her social/biological history are inconsistent and contradictory. Defendant does not seem to understand the charges against her.”
Barbour’s charges were dismissed July 22, 2025, and she was subsequently committed to Cape Fear Valley Hospital in Fayetteville for an unspecified amount of time.
Local advocates have called for updated procedures and legislation involving defendants with mental health concerns after the killing of Raleigh teacher Zoe Welsh earlier this month. Welsh was allegedly beaten to death by 36-year-old Ryan Camacho, who had been in and out of jails in Durham and Wake counties and deemed incapable of proceeding with a trial in a larceny case weeks before Welsh’s death, The N&O previously reported.
Barbour also faces pending charges in Robeson County in a Sept. 17, 2025, incident where she allegedly stood in the middle of the southbound lane on Interstate 95 for several hours, according to court documents.
Court records show she failed to appear for scheduled hearings in that case Dec. 15 and Jan. 8.
Barbour remained in the Wake County jail without bail as of Monday afternoon as she awaited her first court appearance on the latest charge. She’s been ordered not to return to N.C. State’s campus until authorized to do so.
NC Reality Check is an N&O series holding those in power accountable and shining a light on public issues that affect the Triangle or North Carolina. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email realitycheck@newsobserver.com.
Lexi Solomon joined The News & Observer in August 2024 as the emerging news reporter. She previously worked in Fayetteville at The Fayetteville Observer and CityView, reporting on crime, education and local government. She is a 2022 graduate of Virginia Tech with degrees in Russian and National Security & Foreign Affairs.
N.C. State head coach Wes Moore talks with Zoe Brooks (35) during the first half of N.C. State’s exhibition game against Maryland at the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C., Sunday Oct. 26, 2025.
Ethan Hyman
ehyman@newsobserver.com
RALEIGH
Reynolds Coliseum was the place to be for New Year’s Day, the Wolfpack faithful packing the stands to see a big win.
N.C. State hosted Stanford in what felt like an “Are you for real?” matchup to open 2026, with the teams looking to prove themselves as the ACC season progresses. It was an ugly game at times, but the Wolfpack ran away with a 74-46 victory and moved to 3-0 in conference play.
“I’m real proud of the way we came out,” N.C. State head coach Wes Moore said. “[We] hold them to 26 points in the first half, and I’m thinking, ‘Wow, that’s a heck of an effort.’ Then, 20 in the second half. It gets even better. A lot of people contributed and played well.”
N.C. State head coach Wes Moore cheers on the team during the second half of N.C. State’s 83-75 exhibition victory over Maryland at the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Sunday Oct. 26, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
The Wolfpack’s defense has struggled at various points this season — Moore called it “not very good” — but Thursday’s gamed feature one of the Pack’s best performances of the season.
N.C. State held Stanford to several season lows, including fewest total points, first-quarter points (11), third-quarter points (11), fourth-quarter points (9), and lowest field goal percentage (30%). The Cardinal also shot 4-23 (17.4%) from 3-point range, which was one of its lowest outputs of the season. The Cardinal played without Chloe Cardy, who averages nearly 12 points per game.
Stanford’s 46 points were the fewest allowed by N.C. State’s defense this season.
“I feel like our defense has really taken off, and it really is standing out for us,” N.C. State guard Zoe Brooks said. “I think it also helps give us momentum on offense. When we get stops, constant stops on defense, it just helps us get on the break more and have more easy opportunities to score. It also makes Coach Moore happy.”
It took the Wolfpack (10-4) about a quarter and a half to fully settle in. Stanford (12-3) led by as many as four points to open the game, and the Cardinal then came back from seven down to take a 24-23 lead with 4:19 remaining in the first half. The tide changed from that point forward.
N.C. State increased its defensive intensity to create offensive possessions, scoring nine of its 14 second-quarter points in the final 2:30 of the period. It never let up, either, and dominated on both ends of the floor. The Wolfpack outscored the Cardinal, 42-20, in the second half, with Stanford missing 15 straight baskets between the third and fourth quarters.
Additionally, the Pack drew five offensive fouls in the first half, Tilda Trygger blocked back-to-back shots, and the team recorded eight blocks and nine steals.
The defense also significantly limited forward Lara Somfai, Stanford’s star freshman and early ACC Rookie of the Year candidate, on the offensive end. Somfai entered the game averaging 11.1 points per game. She finished with five points on 2-of-13 shooting, one of her lowest scoring outputs of the season.
Somfai, however, carried the Cardinal’s rebounding effort. She pulled down 16 boards to lead all players. Prior to the matchup, she ranked No. 15 in the nation and No. 2 in the ACC for total rebounds (134), behind only N.C. State’s Khamil Pierre. She averaged 9.6 boards per game, which was No. 3 in the league.
N.C. State finished with a positive 42-35 rebounding margin after trailing early in the game.
Courtney Ogden and Nunu Agara led Stanford’s scoring with 12 and 16 points, respectively. They shot a combined 11 of 26 (42.3%) from the field. The rest of the team shot 7 of 34 (20.5%).
“I think they’ve done a better job of taking away people’s strengths and that sort of thing,” Moore said. “That’s what it takes.”
Brooks led the scoring effort with 18 points, while Trygger contributed 12 points and led the team with eight rebounds. Four players finished with at least five rebounds, and Maddie Cox put together a do-it-all performance while dealing with an illness.
She scored seven points, making all three shot attempts, pulled down four rebounds, and added an assist, block and steal. Cox drew a pair of offensive fouls, as well.
“She had a real gutty performance,” Moore said. “That’s the difference between the Maddie this year and the Maddie of the past. She has a lot of confidence, but she also has a little more toughness, mental and physical.”
N.C. State’s Maddie Cox pulls down a rebound away from South Carolina’s Chloe Kitts during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 78-59 Final Four loss at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, April 5, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
There’s still plenty of growth for the young team to do, but Moore and his players are pleased with its progress. The first several weeks of the season were difficult — and it was on the road a lot — but the pieces are starting to fall into place.
“I like where we’re at,” Moore said. “We’ve survived it and just got to keep getting better every day. They asked me before the game my New Year’s resolution — the TV crew did — and that’s what I said, ‘Keep getting better every day.’ If we do that, I like where we’re headed.”
This story was originally published January 1, 2026 at 5:03 PM.
N.C. State head coach Will Wade went on his second tirade in three games.
The first time he publicly criticized his team’s lack of effort, intensity and attention to detail in a now-viral postgame press conference.
Following Wednesday’s 70-57 win over Wake Forest, Wade came to the defense of one of his key players. His statements picked up steam online almost immediately.
Wade was locked and loaded with a fiery response, despite a measured demeanor on the previous question, when asked about his concern level regarding Darrion Williams.
“Absolutely zero,” Wade said. “I’m tired of hearing about frickin’ Darien. He’s [expletive] playing well, all right? It’s a terrible question. Let me be frank with you, he affects winning, and everybody’s out here [expletive] about him and all this stuff.”
N.C. State’s head coach Will Wade talks to Darrion Williams (1) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against UNC Asheville at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Williams finished the Ole Miss game plus-13 in the plus/minus statistic, Wade said, without making a shot. The senior went 0 for 8 and made one free throw in the win. It was the first time on the high major level, and third time in his career, that he didn’t make a field goal. Wade said everyone was acting like “the world’s caving in.”
The forward only has one game since mid-November with at least 15 points. He scored 17 in the N.C. State’s one-point overtime loss to Kansas.
On Wednesday against Wake Forest, Williams scored eight points on 3 of 12 shooting. He added six rebounds — third on the team — and four assists without a turnover. Williams also contributed one block and one steal. He was plus-13 in the Wolfpack’s second straight double-digit win over a Power Four opponent.
N.C. State’s Darrion Williams reacts after knocking down a shot during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 70-57 win over Wake Forest on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Since Nov. 26, Williams has averaged eight points in seven games. He was picked as the Preseason ACC Player of the Year.
Wade is tired of people picking on Williams, he said.
“The guy’s a damn good player,” Wade said. “Everybody needs to shut the hell up about him.”
Sure, Williams was paid a lot of money to join the program, Wade said. It’s unclear exactly how much he’s making, but Wade said other schools have paid just as much or more than the Wolfpack offered.
“I understand that the kid’s not perfect, but he is a damn good player, and we’re lucky to have him at N.C. State,” Wade said. “He picked us over a lot of schools with a lot better situations than we had at the time he picked us. Let’s be freaking appreciative. Let’s support the kid. Let’s help the kid. And, he affects us winning games. Even when he doesn’t make shots. He helps us win. Teams are game planning for him.”
According to the advanced analytics, Williams finished the Wolfpack’s matchup against Wake Forest with a game-high 93.9 stop percentage and seven total stops. Ven-Allen Lubin was the only other Wolfpack player with more stops (9) than Williams.
The Texas Tech transfer drew six fouls and finished with a 40% assist rate.
Also, in N.C. State’s recent seven-game stretch, Williams recorded 26 assists and nine turnovers for a 2.8 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Williams finished with four or more rebounds in five games. His 17-point and 10-rebound double-double against the Jayhawks put the Wolfpack in position to potentially upset the Big 12 foe.
Entering the ACC opener, Williams among the ACC’s top 25 players in assist-to-turnover ratio, total assists, assists per game, double-doubles, field goal percentage, total field goals, points per game and made 3-pointers.
“He does a lot of winning stuff, and he’s taking a lot of unfair heat right now,” Wade said. “He does a lot of winning stuff. At the end of the day, it’s our job to win for N.C. State. He helps N.C. State win. Period. End of discussion.”
The senior came to N.C. State after averaging 15 points and 5.5 rebounds per game with the Red Raiders in 2024-25. A season prior, he averaged 11.4 points and 7.5 rebounds. He contributed 7.7 points and 7.3 rebounds as a freshman at Nevada.
Williams has consistently finished with a positive assist-to-turnover ratio, including a 2:1 ratio for his career.
He started the year scoring 14 points or more in the first four games and surpassed 25 points against UNC-Greensboro and VCU.
Wade also mentioned Williams’ shoulder injury, calling it “really bad” and complimented the player on his toughness. Instead of sitting out for multiple games, which some players would do, Williams only missed the Texas Southern matchup.
N.C. State’s Darrion Williams, center, watches from the bench during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Texas Southern at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
“He laid it on the line for N.C. State for five games with a [expletive] shoulder, and gave us a chance to win some of these games, and people are just piling on his [expletive],” Wade said. “It’s not right. He’s a damn good player. He’s going to help us win a lot of games in the ACC, so I’m tired of it.”
The bright red poinsettia has become a symbol of the holiday season, but its story follows a path from southern Mexico to South Carolina, to Southern California before an NC State Horticulture professor unlocked the secret that transformed how the plant is grown.
Poinsettias are native to tropical regions of Central America, where they grow as tall stalky shrubs along canyons and ravines. Wild poinsettias look very different from the ones you’ll find for sale in your local grocery store or home improvement store garden center.
wild poinsettias in Oaxaca, Mexico
Long before the plant became a holiday decoration, the Aztecs cultivated the plant they called cuetlaxochitl (kwet-la-sho-she) for centuries for medicinal use and red dyes.
In the 17th century, Franciscan monks arriving in Mexico noticing that its bracts (leaves) turned red during December, responding to the long nights that follow the autumnal equinox and incorporated the flowers into Christmas celebrations.
The poinsettia’s U.S. history began in the 1820s with Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first American minister (ambassador) to Mexico. Poinsett encountered the striking red plant and sent cuttings back to his Greenville, South Carolina plantation.
The plant spread through botanical gardens and horticultural circles, and in 1836, botanist William H. Prescott formally named it Euphorbia pulcherrima, though it soon became commonly known as the poinsettia in Poinsett’s honor. For much of the 19th century, poinsettias remained specialty plants grown outdoors in warm climates or solely in greenhouses.
The Ecke Family makes the Poinsettia the California Christmas Flower
In the early 1900s, the Ecke family established poinsettia farms near Los Angeles. They initially sold poinsettias as cut flowers, famously marketing them along Hollywood Boulevard in the 1920s and 1930s.
Popularity of “the Christmas flower” grew as the Eckes supplied poinsettia plants to the Tonight Show, Bob Hope’s Christmas Special and Good Morning America as well as the White House. By the mid-20th century, the Ecke Ranch supplied up to 90 percent of the poinsettias sold in the United States.
The Eckes had perfected grafting techniques discovered by Norwegian breeder Thormod Hegg that combined “free branching” with more “restrictive branching” varieties producing fuller more attractive, and more economical, plants. Selectively breeding also produced plants that could survive indoors for longer, transforming the plant from short-lived cut stems into durable potted plants suitable for homes and stores.
The popularity continued to grow thanks to Ecke’s marketing campaign which supplied plants to women’s magazines for their Christmas issues and to television shows like the Tonight Show, Bob Hope’s Christmas Special, and Good Morning America.
Growers like the Eckes as well as the the Heggs of Norway and producers in Germany and knew that grafting worked, but not why.
The Scientific Breakthrough
That mystery was solved in the late 20th century through research led by Dr. John A. Dole, a plant pathologist and horticultural scientist.
Dole grew up in West Michigan where he was active in 4-H, worked in a local dairy, and grew gladiolus for a local farm market. He continued his love of horticulture he earned a degree in the field from Michigan State before going on to an internship at the Ecke Ranch near San Diego.
Most theses, even those that earn the author a PhD, sit unnoticed on dusty shelves of the campus library. But Dole’s research, in part funded by the Eckes, titled “In Vivo Characterization of a Graft-transmissible, Free-branching Agent in Poinsettia” not only earned him that PhD, it was published in Journal of the American Horticultural Society.
Dole, a Professor of Horticulture at NC State has also served as Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, still calls the poinsettia “One of the most interesting plants ever” in an interview this week.
The secret was out and it sparked a revolution in the poinsettia making mass production possible and transforming it to the top potted flowering plant in the U.S. selling more than 30 million each year between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Grafting plants was nothing new, apple and citrus growers use the technique to join desirable fruit to more disease resistant root stock. But the host tree remains just that, a host. Poinsettias are different. The resulting plant is different after grafting.
The research found that grafting transferred more than physical support from one plant to another.
Unlike grafting fruit trees—where the fruit remains unchanged—grafting poinsettias permanently affects plant shape, causing increased branching and compact growth. Dahl’s findings, published in peer-reviewed journals in the early 1990s, explained decades of grower observations and fundamentally changed poinsettia breeding.
Additional research by USDA scientists found a phytoplasma “trigger a hormonal imbalance responsible for forming squat, full-bodied poinsettia plants with many flowering branches”, exactly the kind of plants consumers want.
Metrolina Greenhouses in Huntersville produces more than 4 million poinsettias each year
The discoveries enabled growers worldwide to reliably produce poinsettias in many colors, including red, pink,, white, cream, and green. It also enabled large-scale production, moving poinsettias from specialty florists into grocery stores and home-improvement centers.
Today, poinsettias are one of the most important flowering potted plants in the United States. North Carolina is among the nation’s leading producers. Metrolina Greenhouses in Huntersville, produces more than 4.4 million poinsettias each holiday season from the largest heated greenhouse according to the company.
But aren’t poinsettias poisonous?
Despite the myth that has persisted for more than a century, poinsettias are not poisonous.
The claim originated in unsubstantiated stories about the death of two-year-old child in Hawaii in 1919 after eating the plant. This account was later included by Dr. Henry Arnold in his 1944 book Poisonous Plants of Hawaii. Arnold eventually acknowledged that he hadn’t validated the claim relying instead on hearsay.
Multiple studies have also found that while there are plenty of poisonous houseplants, poinsettias are not one of them. “Toxin exposures in dogs and cats: Pesticides and biotoxins.” Published in the American Journal of Veterinary Medicine describes them as “nontoxic”. That milky latex found in can be irritating to humans and pets alike, but even when eaten, “mild gastrointestinal irritation” causes vomiting rather than anything more serious. A Purdue University study found that “if signs develop they are usually mild.” but recommends that plants be kept out of reach of animals that tend to chew like cats and puppies.
Poinsettia longevity tips from Dr. Dole
put them in a bright sunny location, near a winter window
Poinsettias like cooler temperatures, near the mid 60s, never near a heat source
Check the soil every few days with your finger tip. When the soil feels dry, add some water, but be careful not to over water.
N.C. State linebacker Caden Fordham (1) celebrates after sacking North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez during the first half of N.C. State’s game against UNC at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
Ethan Hyman
ehyman@newsobserver.com
This time last year, Caden Fordham didn’t know what the rest of his college journey would look like after tearing his ACL midway through last season. He hoped to make a full recovery, but there were some difficult stretches.
Fordham completed his N.C. State football career on Friday with the kind of ending players only dream of.
“Thanks to these coaches, training staff here,” Fordham said. “They’ve helped me a ton, getting back from a serious injury. Then, my family and my faith in Christ. That’s the only way I was able to get back to where I wanted to be and play the ball I wanted to play. This whole offseason, I just told myself, ‘You’ve got to work your tail off, that’s the only way you’re going to get to where you want to go.’ I feel like I did that, and played some ball at the end of the year.”
The fifth-year senior linebacker helped the Wolfpack beat Memphis, 31-7, in the Gasparilla Bowl for the team’s first bowl win since 2017. He recorded a game-high 13 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a 55-yard interception return that the offense turned into a touchdown.
Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis passed a ball intended for tight end Matt Adcock. It bounced off Adcock’s chest. Fordham, with the help of his teammates, ran to the red zone before Tigers tight end Bryce Anderson tackled him at the 3-yard line. Quarterback CJ Bailey joked that he was disappointed Fordham didn’t score, but the linebacker admitted he ran out of steam.
Freshman quarterback Will Wilson scored two plays later and put N.C. State up 21-0.
Fordham was all over the field, applying pressure and limiting yards after contact. Two tackles, one in the first quarter and one in the fourth, forced a pair of Memphis turnovers on downs.
The Ponte Vedra, Florida, native earned the Most Valuable Player award and became the first defensive player in the bowl’s history to receive the distinction.
In a time when players, and whole teams, are opting out of bowl games unless they are College Football Playoff games, it meant a lot to coach Dave Doeren that most of his players wanted one last ride. Fordham, however, never considered sitting out.
N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren hugs Caden Fordham (1) after N.C. State’s 21-11 victory over Florida State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Nov. 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
“Coach Doeren, these guys on this team have given too much to me for me not to even want to play,” Fordham said. “Plus, I love this game so much. I want to play anytime I can, and to play with these guys, these coaches, I don’t see how you could opt out. I love these guys so much. I wanted to play every second.”
His final season has been a story of inspiration, hard work and faith. Fordham finished the year with 143 total tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three pass deflections, two interceptions and one forced fumble. In five years with the Pack, he logged 252 tackles.
“I would tell you he was better than he was before, which is pretty cool to see that,” Doeren said after the win. “An All-American on two teams, an All-Conference player. … I don’t think he could have done any more than he did. He did a pretty damn good job.”
Fordham led FBS in tackles and ranked No. 5 in the nation. The Sporting News named Fordham to its All-America second team; the Associated Press listed him on the third team. He was also a First Team All-ACC selection. He’s a finalist for the 2025 Comeback Player of the Year award.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker and N.C. State Ring of Honor member Payton Wilson, to whom Fordham’s career has been compared, finished with 138 tackles in his senior season.
“I’ve had some really good players over the years, and some of them have had to overcome injury,” Doeren said after the team’s win. “Payton was the same way. He had a phenomenal year after his final injuries.
“That’s all you want. You want them to come back whole, and you want them to be able to realize their dream and become the best version of themselves. Caden absolutely did that; as a man, as a leader, as a football player.”
N.C. State linebacker Caden Fordham, center, prepares to run a drill during the Wolfpack’s first fall practice on July 30, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Fordham wasn’t cleared for contact activities until mid-July, he told reporters at ACC Kickoff. He spent nearly nine months working on conditioning and non-contact activities, hoping to be ready when the doctors gave him the green light.
It took Fordham and the rest of the defense time to put things together. Between defensive coordinator DJ Eliot’s new system and the ongoing injuries, the team took beatings midway through the season. Its effort started to show in November, putting together solid performances. Fordham was at the forefront.
The senior finished the year with at least 10 tackles in nine games and reached double figures in five straight.
Though his career is over, Fordham will look back on his time at N.C. State with pride. Not only for his accomplishments on the field, but primarily his personal development. He views everything as a blessing to carry into the future.
“I had the honor of being a captain and wearing the jersey No. 1. A lot comes with that,” Fordham said. “[From] a leader perspective, it’s helped me a ton grow as a man. Coach Doeren helped me every day grow as a leader. That’s something you can’t take away from someone. Having that in my repertoire, as I move forward in life, I’m going to use it and lean back on it every chance I can get. Thank you to Coach and N.C. State for that.”
Teddy Hoffmann (12) celebrates with Noah Rogers (5) of the NC State Wolfpack after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Memphis Tigers during the 2025 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 19, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.
Julio Aguilar
Getty Images
Two pirate chest trophies, with fake gold coins behind the Gasparilla Bowl logo, sat on the sideline at Raymond James Stadium — home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — for the winner of the bowl game and its most valuable player.
N.C. State hadn’t brought home a postseason trophy of any kind — pirate booty or otherwise — since 2017, having lost five consecutive bowl games.
Until Friday.
A strong first half lifted N.C. State past Memphis, 31-7. The win was the Wolfpack’s fourth in five games, and snapped the Tigers’ four-game bowl win streak. The Pack ends the year 8-5, giving head coach Dave Doeren eight wins in five of the past six years.
“An eighth win with that strength of schedule, with all the injuries and staff things we dealt with this year, would be a heck of a season,” Doeren said Wednesday. “That’s what we’re gunning for: winning four of our last five games and having that momentum going into the offseason.”
Mission accomplished.
The Tigers started 8-1 this season, beating Arkansas on the road and appearing in the Associated Press Top 25 in four weeks. It was one of the Group of 5 teams in contention for a College Football Playoff spot midway through the fall, but its three-game slide in November, and the Wolfpack’s rise, gave N.C. State all the momentum.
“I challenged them that we’ve been really good in November,” Doeren said after the game. “We have not been winners in December in a while and that this team had a chance to flip the script, set the table for what’s to come for teams that follow them to live up with those guys did. These guys like being challenged. They rose to the occasion. I was proud of them.”
N.C. State’s Wesley Grimes, right, celebrates with teammate Teddy Hoffman after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Memphis Tigers during the 2025 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 19, 2025, in Tampa, Florida. Julio Aguilar Getty Images
The Pack’s offense capitalized, as it has all season, but the defense set the table for those opportunities.
On the first drive, Memphis went three-and-out and gained 1 yard. The Wolfpack defense picked up a fourth-down stop on the next. N.C. State gave up the lone Memphis touchdown with eight minutes remaining in the first half.
N.C. State also had two takeaways. Linebacker Caden Fordham contributed a 55-yard interception return in the first quarter, and a team effort led to a fumble in the third.
“I was wanting to score,” Fordham said. “I tried my best, but, at the end, I kind of ran out of gas.”
Joseph Adedire forced the ball out of Tigers running back Frank Peasant’s hands, and teammate Josiah Victor rushed in for the recovery.
Devon Marshall continued his impressive stretch to end the year. After winning Second Team All-America honors from the Athletic and PFF All-ACC, Marshall made clutch stops for the Wolfpack. Memphis limited its throws to the left side of the field because of his staunch coverage. He finished with eight tackles and one breakup.
Fordham and Kenny Soares led the defense with double-digit tackles.
“Our defense played good,” quarterback CJ Bailey said. “Got our offense going the same way the offense playing good gives momentum to the defense. I like seeing that.”
The N.C. State offense didn’t score in the second half, but the defense didn’t allow Memphis to score, either, giving young players a chance to see the field.
The defense stopped the Tigers from getting into the red zone and converting on fourth down.
Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis finished with 106 passing yards and 51 rushing yards in the Tigers’ loss.
N.C. State quarterback CJ Bailey (11) looks to throw a pass in the first half against the Memphis Tigers during the 2025 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 19, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. Julio Aguilar Getty Images
Bailey finished 14-of-25 passing for 221 yards and two touchdowns. He added one 14-yard rushing touchdown. Bailey’s performance made him the seventh N.C. State quarterback to record 3,000 passing yards in a season, joining players such as Phillip Rivers, Ryan Finley, Russell Wilson and Mike Glennon.
Freshman quarterback Will Wilson also scored his 10th touchdown of the season, tying Rivers for the second-most rushing touchdowns in a single season by a Wolfpack QB.
“I came in with a mindset that I wanted to win,” Bailey said. We did it. We pulled it off, and it was a great effort by our team.”
NC State sees few player opt-outs
Marshall, tight end Justin Joly, offensive lineman Jacarrius Peak and nose tackle Brandon Cleveland suited up for the game, despite pregame rumors of their absence.
Cleveland commented on a published list of reported opt-outs before the game and called it “false information.”
“I can’t explain how much that makes me feel special,” Doeren said of the players who played.
He also said Joly cried before the game.
“He just wanted to play one more time with his brothers, and he wanted Coach [Gavin] Locklear to coach him one more time.,” Doeren said. “That’s our culture; the love that these kids have for each other.”
Marshall was also among the players who said last week that he intended to play.
“It’s my last game with this team, with my brothers,” Marshall told reporters. “I’m just gonna go out there and give him all for them, and it’s my last college game ever. It means a lot to me, and then it means a lot to the team that we get a ‘Dub’ so they can carry that into next season.”
All four players have appeared on various draft boards, often on the second and third day. Peak, alongside defensive end Sabastian Harsh, were both listed on the CBS Sports Top 150 draft prospects.
Running back Hollywood Smothers opted out, which was expected. He is reportedly recovering from an ankle injury and intends to enter the transfer portal in January.
Cleveland, Marshall and Peak are all fourth-year players.
The Wolfpack was still down several players, primarily because of injuries, but most of its primary rotation played, even if it was in a limited capacity.
N.C. State’s Tra Thomas (4) reacts after a sack in the first half against the Memphis Tigers during the 2025 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 19, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. Julio Aguilar Getty Images
Spreading the wealth
Wide receiver Noah Rogers caught a short screen pass from Bailey and leapfrogged over Memphis, picking up the first down and several extra yards. Wesley Grimes grabbed a 31-yard pass and spun to break the plane, despite a significant hit by Memphis’ Chris Bracy.
Those were two of several SportsCenter Top 10 plays for the Wolfpack offense, which continued to be one of the team’s strengths.
N.C. State was held to one touchdown in just two games — Notre Dame and Miami — and averaged 34.8 points in the remaining 10 regular-season games.
The Pack scored 31 first-half points, creating points on five of its first seven drives.
During that stretch, three different players rushed for positive yardage and six picked up at least one first down. True freshman tight end Preston Douglas caught a pass, the first of his career, for 18 yards on third down. N.C. State scored a field goal four plays later.
Preston Douglas (82) of the NC State Wolfpack breaks a tackle from Kamari Wilson of the Memphis Tigers in the first half during the 2025 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. Julio Aguilar Getty Images
The team went 2 for 2 in the red zone through the first two quarters and picked up 245 yards of total offense.
N.C. State’s offense wasn’t quite as efficient in the second half, but it still finished with strong numbers from a number of players.
Eight different players recorded at least one catch of at least 15 yards. True freshman Preston Douglas made an 18-yard reception, the first of his career, in his home state.
With Smothers unavailable, Duke Scott led the rushing attack. While he didn’t have quite the same success against Memphis that he did against Georgia Tech — the Tigers entered the game top 50 in run defense — he still finished with 108 rushing yards and made three explosive plays for the Pack.
“I was excited for Duke,” Doeren said. “It was his opportunity again. That’s his second start, second 100-yard game. The future is bright for him. Super excited.”
Pack wins the line of scrimmage
N.C. State controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the field, a major factor in its win on Friday.
The offensive line and blockers held up to allow N.C. State to run the ball throughout the game. It also protected Bailey. The sophomore quarterback didn’t have his most efficient game, but he had plenty of time to throw the football with limited pressure.
On the defensive side, the Wolfpack disrupted the Memphis offense by limiting its run game. It entered the game averaging 186 yards on the ground, ranking No. 34 in the nation. Memphis finished with 149 rushing yards without a touchdown.
N.C. State’s ability to win the line also allowed other defenders to put pressure on senior quarterback Brendon Lewis and his supporting cast. He was sacked once and pressured four times. The Wolfpack finished with nine tackles for loss.
This story was originally published December 19, 2025 at 6:20 PM.
Reynolds Coliseum erupted into cheers and a standing ovation from the Wolfpack faithful after Paul McNeil hit a program-record 10th 3-pointer of the game.
McNeil was then greeted by his teammates in the huddle as they patted him on the back and celebrated his accomplishment. But he didn’t check out. Head coach Will Wade left McNeil in the game, and he hit an 11th 3. Rodney Monroe previously held the record with nine made 3s.
The sophomore put together a career-high 47-point night to lift N.C. State past Texas Southern, 108-72, on Wednesday night.
It was clear McNeil was in for a massive performance from the start. McNeil jump-started the offense by scoring the first points of the game with a corner 3-pointer. He’d shot 4 for 4 from the perimeter for 12 points by the first media timeout. McNeil hit two free throws and another 3-pointer shortly after the break for a perfect 5-of-5 start.
McNeil’s perfect night ended when he missed a pair of 3s roughly six minutes into the game, but his career performance was far from over.
N.C. State’s Paul McNeil Jr. (2) celebrates after making his 11th three-pointer in the second half of N.C. State’s 108-72 victory over Texas Southern at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
He scored 26 points in the first half on 7-of-9 3-point shooting. McNeil was one point shy of matching his career high and set a new personal best from 3. The sophomore surpassed his scoring best 2 ½ minutes into the second period and followed that up with another long-range dagger and free throw.
McNeil’s 47 points were a season high for the team. He is now tied with Sammy Ranzino (1951) for No. 5 in program history.
“Records are meant to be broken,” McNeil said. “I feel like somebody is gonna break mine one day. I’m just blessed to be this position.”
He shot 12-18 from the field, 11-15 from 3 and 12-12 from the free-throw line.
McNeil added 10 rebounds for his first career double-double.
The sophomore from Rockingham actually entered the game in a shooting slump. He made just 5 of 20 from 3 (20%) in the previous four games, including three games with only one 3-pointer. His best game had been a 27-point performance against UNC-Greensboro, when he set now-previous career highs in scoring and 3-point makes (6).
N.C. State’s Tre Holloman and the team celebrate with Paul McNeil Jr. after McNeil broke the three-point record in the second half of N.C. State’s 108-72 victory over Texas Southern at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
McNeil’s highlights will focus on the scoring, but he did everything for the Pack, from pulling down rebounds to going airborne to contest shots and forcing a couple of turnovers.
It seemed appropriate that his big night came at the Old Barn. McNeil is the lone scholarship player remaining from Kevin Keatts’ tenure, a merging of two eras in N.C. State basketball, just as playing one game in Reynolds every season honors the program’s history.
Wade complimented McNeil’s performance, saying the young guard deserves to have a game like he did, considering the work he puts in. He often stays late in the gym or misses off-court team outings to get in more practice.
“Paul don’t complain. You got a lot of guys like to complain. He don’t ever complain. He just goes to work, figures it out,” Wade said. “I always stick with him. I make changes, but I usually stick with him because I trust his work, trust who he is. He’s going to struggle some, but he’s gonna have more good nights for us than bad nights. He was in a little bit of a slump. I’m just happy to see him get out of it. He got out of it, in grand fashion.
“Very happy with him. He works very hard; very diligent and does what we ask him to do.”
N.C. State’s Scottie Ebube (12) slams in two during N.C. State’s 108-72 victory over Texas Southern at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Scottie Ebube scored a season-high five points, three rebounds and three blocks. Jerry Deng also scored 14 points on 4-of-10 3-point shooting.
The Wolfpack’s defense, however, struggled at times. Wade expressed his displeasure.
“In the first half, they missed 16 shots. Had eight offensive rebounds. [Duane] Posey was at Northwestern State last year. My team at McNeese guarded him better than we did,” Wade said. Posey finished with six of the Tigers’ 15 offensive rebounds. “My front line at freaking McNeese could block him out. … Not good enough. We make mistakes in shootaround. We make mistakes in practice. They make the same mistakes in the game.”
Williams sits for the night
The Wolfpack played without Darrion Williams, whom the program announced as unavailable an hour before the game. Williams sustained a shoulder injury earlier this season and played limited minutes against UNC-Asheville in an attempt to rest Williams ahead of the Kansas game. He is expected to play against Ole Miss on Sunday in Greensboro.
Williams averages 16 points and 5.6 points per game. The Texas Tech transfer scored 17 points and added 10 rebounds, his second double-double of the season, in the Wolfpack’s 77-76 overtime loss to the Jayhawks.
N.C. State’s Darrion Williams, center, watches from the bench during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Texas Southern at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State used Williams’ absence, and the opponent, to play around with its lineup.
Quadir Copeland, Alyn Breed, Paul McNeil, Musa Sagnia and Ven-Allen Lubin were tabbed for the start, with Breed and Sagnia earning their first starts in a Wolfpack uniform. That proved effective against TSU, holding the Tigers to just four shot attempts in the four eight minutes.
It also used Deng alongside Sagnia. Terrance Arceneaux played with Matt Able and Tre Holloman.
While some lineups worked better than others, this was a good chance for the Pack to further pare down its regular rotation while developing other possible lineups that could be used depending on the matchup.
The standard is the standard
“What the [expletive] are you doing?” Will Wade screamed at Matt Able, his face red and spit spraying from his mouth. Able had just picked up his third foul of the game, sending Zaire Hayes to the line.
That was the third instance of Wade’s visible anger in roughly three minutes. He also yelled at Ebube for committing two fouls in the span of three seconds, and at a group of players for missing a defensive rebound and allowing TSU’s Posey to grab his own rebound and make the putback. The team was up 21 points.
Wade gave his team an early second-half earful after it allowed the Tigers to start 6 for 10 from the field, including a trio of 3s.
N.C. State head coach Will Wade yells at his team in the first half of N.C. State’s game against Texas Southern at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State has been perfectly clear: The team can be playing the worst team in college basketball and lead by 25 points, but no one is safe from a verbal lashing if they’re not playing to the program’s expectation.
“Whether you’re in late or just throughout the game, when you go in, you’ve got to be effective and play to our standard,” Williams said on Nov. 12 following the win over UNC-Greensboro. “If we don’t play to our standards, we pay the price next time in practice.”
Wade’s spirited responses after bad plays reiterated that point.
“He holds us to high expectations,” Ebube said. “He wants us to work hard. He wants us to get the 50/50, balls, and wants us to play hard at all times. Having that expectation from him is a blessing.”
Rebounding makes big impact
N.C. State’s offense couldn’t always get the shot to fall against Texas Southern. In fact, there was a stretch in the first half when the Wolfpack missed 9 of 11 of its attempts. Its rebounding, however, played a role in the team’s ability to maintain and extend its lead.
The Wolfpack jumped out to a 10-rebound advantage early in the first half, leading 15-5. It maintained that advantage at halftime, out-rebounding the Tigers 25-15. Of those 25 rebounds, 10 came on the offensive end. N.C. State turned those into 14 second-chance points.
Rebounding and the ability to force turnovers led to six TSU shot attempts in the first eight minutes of play. The Pack took 18 in that stretch.
N.C. State’s Matt Able (3) and Texas Southern’s Oumar Koureissi (1) go after the ball during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Texas Southern at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
At halftime, the Pack led 25-15, off 10 offensive rebounds with 14 second-chance points.
The Pack came out of the locker room somewhat sluggish off the glass, but it picked things up as the half progressed. It finished with a rebounding advantage of 45-33, including 17 offensive boards.
N.C. State’s rebounding has slowly improved. It is now 7-0 when out-rebounding the opponent. The team, however, still has room to develop more consistency. Its win, which allowed bench players to earn valuable reps, was a step forward.
This story was originally published December 17, 2025 at 9:14 PM.
Will Wade wanted his postgame pizza to taste better. NC State’s men’s basketball coach got his wish Wednesday.
The Wolfpack routed Liberty, one of the best mid-major programs in the country, 85-45, after its best defensive half of the season.
The Wolfpack (7-3) led wire to wire and picked up its second straight win, looking arguably the most aggressive it has all year. Its offense scored 45 first-half points, the third-best production of the season, which included a 19-3 run.
Wade said after the game that his team showed improvement, but it hasn’t arrived.
The defense, however, was the real star. The Flames (6-3) scored 19 first-half points — a season low for both teams — and shot 8 of 27 (29.6%) from the field. It took them 11 minutes to score 11 points. It took the Pack 5½ minutes. Previously, N.C. State held N.C. Central to 26 points in the season opener.
Additionally, Liberty was held scoreless on its first four possessions.
The Wolfpack went to the locker room with a 26-point lead. Its high-energy defense and hot shooting continued after the break. N.C. State started the second half on an 11-1 run and eventually extended its lead to 42 points.
N.C. State’s Quadir Copeland drives to the basket past Liberty’s Zach Cleveland during the first half of the Wolfpack’s game on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Wade said the team’s struggles can’t be solely pinned on the defense. It hasn’t always wanted to press, and the transition defense has been terrible, but the ball distribution and decision-making also have been poor at times. The team has taken bad shots and put the defense “in some horrific spots.”
“It all goes together; the offense, defense,” Wade said. “You have to play complementary basketball.”
The performance was somewhat unexpected, too.
Wade said in his pregame interview with N.C. State announcer Matt Chazanow that if he’d known how far behind the team would be at this point in the season, he wouldn’t have scheduled the game.
“Coach Ritchie McKay and Liberty are really good,” Wade said. “If we have to guard them for 20-plus seconds half court, we are in trouble.”
This win also comes days after Wade went on a five-minute rant Saturday, during his interview before the UNC-Asheville game, about the “all-systems breakdown” from Maui to Auburn. His primary complaint boiled down to effort. It was one thing to lose, it was another to lose when he felt like the team wasn’t playing with the effort he and his staff expect.
N.C. State’s Quadir Copeland battles for a rebound with Liberty’s Zach Cleveland during the first half of the Wolfpack’s game on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
“I tried to let it self-correct, but sometimes you’ve got to step in,” Wade said. “That’s my job. I don’t care about being liked. I don’t care about how everybody feels. I’m not into any of that.”
Wade tried to be patient and calm. He wanted the players to work out the issues on their own. That didn’t work, and he turned to what he called a “hostile takeover.”
Ven-Allen Lubin and Matt Able led the team with 13 points apiece. Lubin has scored in double figures in seven consecutive games. Darrion Williams finished with nine points and a team-high eight rebounds. Eleven players scored and 11 pulled down at least one rebound in the win.
Brett Decker, who averages more than 19 points per game, and JJ Harper led the Flames with 12 points each. It was the fewest points allowed by an NC State team since 2014, when it beat Jacksonville 79-43.
The “hostile takeover” clearly worked. N.C. State dominated the entire game, and the pizza will certainly taste great.
“Everybody’s so shocked, because we hadn’t looked anywhere close to that all year,” Wade said. “It was closer to what we’re supposed to be, but we’re still not there. … This was a step in the right direction.”
The Pack actually can defend the 3
After N.C. State’s loss at Auburn, Wade said his team was giving up too many open 3s. That could have been a problem against Liberty.
It ranked No. 4 in the nation for 3-point shooting percentage, making 43.1% of its baskets from downtown, and No. 5 in made 3s per game (12.5). Decker entered the game averaging 19.6 points per game, leading Division I with 4.6 made 3s and second in 3-point shooting efficiency (58.7%).
N.C. State allowed Liberty to take 3s all night, but its defensive effort forced the visitors to take rushed, off-balance and contested shots, guarding near half court. At halftime, Liberty had made 3 of 14 (21.4%) from 3. Decker was 1 of 5 from the field and 1 of 2 from deep in the first half. He finished 4 of 12 from the field and 3 of 8 from 3-point range.
N.C. State’s Quadir Copeland, center, reacts on the bench late in the second half of the Wolfpack’s 85-45 win over Liberty on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Liberty started the second half 0 for 8 from deep. It finished 6 of 28 (21.4%), a far cry from the elite shooting the Flames had shown earlier in the season.
“I think we just did a good job disrupting their flow,” Lubin said. “I think they did get some good looks that they didn’t make, but I think it was also a defensive effort; activity on and off the ball, making sure whenever they do get open looks, we just try to run out there and contest and do the best we can to force some misses.”
This was a major step forward for N.C. State, which lost multiple games this season, and almost lost another because of its poor 3-point defense.
Defensive pressure forces key turnovers
N.C. State has done a serviceable job this season pressuring the ball and forcing turnovers, averaging about 14 opponent turnovers per game. Liberty came into Raleigh as one of the best teams in taking care of the basketball. Based on the way the Wolfpack has guarded this season, there were questions about the ability to get takeaways.
Wade’s team also forced seven first-half turnovers against the Flames, who averaged 8.5 turnovers per game. They’re second best in the nation at limiting turnovers. The Flames also led the country with a 2:2 assist-to-turnover ratio. They had seven assists and seven turnovers in the opening frame.
N.C. State’s Ven-Allen Lubin pressures Liberty’s Zach Cleveland during the first half of the Wolfpack’s 85-45 win on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
In the second half, N.C. State continued its stifling defensive pressure. The Flames finished with 17 turnovers and 14 assists, which the Wolfpack turned into 21 points.
“It was something I feel like we all knew we could have been doing,” Copeland said. “We’ve been practicing and doing this same defense all summer. I think we knew we could have done it. It was just a matter of ‘want’ and having the grit out there.
“You can’t relax in our plays. You’ve got to have the motor, the want to play. You’ve got to want to be active on defense. I felt like that’s what we were lacking on; being a little lazy at times. I felt like we wanted to today. We showed today we want to get stops. We want to turn them over. We want to lead into easier offense for us.”
Copeland continues his major contributions
N.C. State guard Quadir Copeland slid across the floor after hitting a contested layup, a yell and muscle flex to celebrate the basket and free throw.
Copeland has been on a tear for the Wolfpack, scoring in double figures for three straight games. He extended that to a fourth game Wednesday, finishing just shy of a triple-double. The Syracuse and McNeese State transfer contributed 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, seven rebounds and seven assists. This comes on the heels of an 13-point, eight-assist performance.
Williams led the team in scoring this season (16.7 points). He has now been held under 15 points in four straight games and five of the last six. With his struggles, the Wolfpack has needed Copeland’s leadership and effort in every game.
Able said Copeland’s energy is “through the roof” and the senior is someone he looks up to.
“He’s just a high motor guy,” Lubin added. “Coming in every day in practice, just instilling confidence in everybody, making sure the energy is high, and just making sure that he’s doing the best he can to make the team better.”
This story was originally published December 10, 2025 at 9:38 PM.
Jackston McDuffie, 12, hugs head coach Dave Doeren after the Wolfpack’s 21-11 victory over Florida State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
One young fan was not among them, but received a special opportunity last week to fulfill one of his dreams.
Defensive lineman Brandon Cleveland noticed Jackston McDuffie, 12, celebrating in the stands, rubbing his belly in the same way Cleveland does after big plays, and invited him onto the field in a random act of kindness.
So after N.C. State’s 21-11 win over Florida State, McDuffie jumped over the railing into Cleveland’s arms and had a personal field storm experience. He called his father, Joseph McDuffie, from the grass.
“Dad, I’m on the field,” Joseph McDuffie recalled his son saying. “Brandon Cleveland told me to come down.”
Jackston, in a flood of excitement, ran toward head coach Dave Doeren, shirtless, tears in his eyes and arms stretched wide for a hug. Doeren met the boy with a smile and a quip about how Cleveland needed to sign McDuffie’s stomach.
Jackston McDuffie, 12, runs to hug head coach Dave Doeren after the Wolfpack’s 21-11 victory over Florida State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
It was the best day of McDuffie’s life, he said.
“I loved it. It was really nice,” the boy said. “He’s one of my favorite coaches. He’s a good coach. He has beat UNC four years in a row, trying to make it five years tomorrow, and he brought us to bowl games.”
Joseph McDuffie grew up cheering for N.C. State and went to his first game as a child. He later attended the university from 1995 to 2000 and took Jackston to his first game day as a toddler.
The family had season tickets when it lived in Raleigh, Joseph McDuffie said, but it now lives in Richmond, Virginia. He tries to bring Jackston for one or two games per season. The two originally received tickets to attend the Georgia Tech game, but they weren’t able to make the trip. Jackston was “bummed” to miss the game and especially disappointed he wasn’t able to join everyone on the field. That was one of his longtime goals.
When they got tickets for last week’s game, the family — which includes Jackston’s mother and sister — postponed a trip to Myrtle Beach by one day so they could be in Raleigh. Joseph McDuffie agreed to rush the field with his son if it happened.
It didn’t, at least not on a broad scale, but Jackston still lived his dream. And, the unexpected postgame extracurricular activities made N.C. State’s win that much sweeter. He lost his voice from screaming but still told everyone on the family’s weekend getaway about the experience.
“He cleared his bucket list of so many things just from one game,” Joseph McDuffie said. “We told him he had to come up with new bucket list items.”
McDuffie originally said quarterback CJ Bailey and tight end Justin Joly were some of his favorite players for the Wolfpack, but Cleveland overtook the offensive duo — for obvious reasons. (No offense, guys.)
It meant a lot to see Cleveland and Doeren make time for his son, Joseph McDuffie said, and he’s grateful they were able to provide a special moment for his son.
“I thought it was great,” Joseph McDuffie said of Jackston’s interaction with Doeren. “It says a lot about a coach that he wasn’t standoffish. He embraced it. … It was a great, great experience and said a lot about his character as a person.”
Doeren, finishing his 13th season at N.C. State, has coached N.C. State for Jackston’s entire life. He is 8-4 against the Tar Heels, with three of the four most recent wins decided by one possession and a combined 12 points.
“I probably wouldn’t be here if I didn’t, and that’s the reality,” Doeren said Wednesday. “These games mean a lot. They mean a lot to everybody who supports these programs. … The rivalry game matters, matters a lot. I take a lot of pride in it.”
The McDuffies won’t be in Raleigh for the regular-season finale, and there won’t be another field storm for Jackston, but he will be locked in from home. And he has one message for the team:
“Beat UNC and hopefully make it five years. I love beating UNC.”
This story was originally published November 28, 2025 at 2:31 PM.
N.C. State’s Ven-Allen Lubin slams in two during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 114-66 win over North Carolina Central at Lenovo Center on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C.
Kaitlin McKeown
The News & Observer
Texas is not known for its long ball, but that’s what it used to defeat N.C. State in the fifth-place matchup to close the Maui Invitational on Wednesday night.
The Wolfpack fell to the Longhorns, 102-97, to go 1-2 in the Thanksgiving week tournament in Hawaii.
“Just not good enough on any facet. I didn’t have us prepared like we needed to, and just very disappointing game today and, quite frankly, just an incredibly disappointing week for us,” head coach Will Wade said. “This is not our standard. This is not what we strive to be. This was [an] extremely, extremely disappointing week.”
N.C. State (5-2) jumped out to a five-point lead in the first half thanks to an effective defensive effort. Texas, however, made 9 of 11 shot attempts during an eight-minute stretch to build a 15-point lead. Of those nine baskets, four were 3-pointers.
The Longhorns (6-2) led by 10 at the break, scoring on 8 of 13 attempts from downtown. They were led by Jordan Pope, who had 17 points in the opening period and made 5 of 7 attempts from downtown. It was his seventh double-figure game of the season.
It took a little time for Texas to find its stride once again from the arc in the second half, but once it did, the Longhorns seemed unstoppable. They effectively broke double teams to find an open man and made great shots in transition. Texas went on a 10-0 run, which included three consecutive 3-point field goals, midway through the second half, which the Wolfpack was unable to overcome.
Texas shot 41 of 134 (30.6%) from 3 in its first six games. It finished 16-32 (50%), for its most efficient 3-point shooting and most 3-point field goals in a game this season.
N.C. State scored 60 points in the second half, its offense flowing far better than it did in the first half.
The Wolfpack can attribute the success — and its comeback attempt — to its effort on both ends of the floor. It was more aggressive on defense, though sometimes too aggressive, and the team moved the ball with more purpose and didn’t take as many contested one-on-one shots. It had 10 assists on 20 made field goals, compared to four assists on 14 baskets in the first half.
Alyn Breed made a layup with eight minutes to go and gave N.C. State a 71-70 lead.
Unfortunately the team couldn’t build on that, with Texas’ 3-point shooting (and its own foul trouble) too much to overcome.
“I apologize to our fans. We had the most fans here,” Wade said. “People sacrificed. People paid hard-earned money to watch us play, and they should be pissed. That’s why we’ve got passionate fans. That’s why we’ve got great fans. They’re upset, and they should be. This isn’t how we should be playing. This isn’t the standard which we play at.”
N.C. State received positive contributions from several players, including Paul McNeil and Ven-Allen Lubin.
McNeil provided a surge of energy to open the game. McNeil scored a pair of baskets, including a layup that ended a 3 ½-minute scoring drought and stretch of five missed shots. McNeil also pulled down two rebounds and one steal in his first 13 minutes of play.
The North Carolina native hit a 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock, cutting N.C. State’s deficit to 10 points at halftime. He added another 3, on a pass from Darrion Williams, with 15 minutes remaining in the game to make it 54-53. McNeil finished with 20 points and a trio of 3-pointers.
Lubin provided the Wolfpack with another big performance. He scored a season-high 23 points, one shy of his career high, and pulled down nine boards. He hit a layup and free throw to tie the game at 64. Lubin scored in double figures all three days of the tournament, including one double-double.
Quadir Copeland also led the team with 28 points, four rebounds and six assists.
One positive was the Wolfpack’s aggression off the glass. This area was always going to be a challenge for N.C. State, which was still out-rebounded 31-28, but it was facing one of the best rebounding teams in the country.
Texas entered the game ranked No. 9 in the nation for total rebounds per game (45.9) and No. 14 in defensive rebounds per game (31.1), but was held under its average.
Pope led the Longhorns with 28 points, including seven baskets from long range, and added four assists.
“This is a disappointing feeling. We let a lot of people down,” Copeland said. “We had so many fans here. Apologize to the guys that came here and supported us. We had so many people here. We let them down. We let ourselves down. We let the staff down. We’re going to be better from this.”
Cutting off easy baskets
Wolfpack coach Will Wade’s ideal half-court defensive set is one that keeps the ball in the midrange and beyond.
“The ball doesn’t touch the paint. You keep the ball out of the paint, you force a non-paint shot, you contest the non-paint shot, and you’ve got a better chance to rebound,” Wade said before leaving for Hawaii. “I mean, that’s simplistic.”
N.C. State, which has averaged 26.7 opponent paint points per game, did a better job shutting down the interior against Texas. The defense collapsed the paint and held Texas to six points inside the lane through the first 13 minutes of play. At halftime, the Longhorns had scored 10 points in the paint.
The Wolfpack ultimately held the Longhorns to 20 points in the lane, while scoring 44 of its own.
This has been a liability at times. N.C. State allowed Alabama-Birmingham to score 44 in the second game of the season. It gave up 40 points to Seton Hall in the first game of the tournament. It allowed just 14 to Boise State on Wednesday.
If the Pack can more consistently limit paint touches, it has the chance to be effective. Texas had merely had an uncharacteristically strong 3-point performance, overshadowing N.C. State’s efficiency inside.
Foul issues take center stage
Foul trouble plagued the Wolfpack in its final game of the Maui Invitational, with N.C. State picking up 10 fouls in the first half.
Of those fouls, six took place in the first nine minutes of play. At the break, Williams, Quadir Copeland, Breed and Tre Holloman all had two fouls.
N.C. State continued to pick up foul calls in the second half. With 12 minutes remaining in the game, the Wolfpack’s senior quartet and freshman Musa Sagnia had at least three fouls each.
The Longhorns were in the bonus for the final 12 ½ minutes of the game.
Holloman fouled out with 2 ½ minutes left in the game, while Breed and Williams also fouled out late in the contest. This was the second game in a row that Williams and Holloman fouled out.
N.C. State has to figure out how to play cleaner defense, because it can’t afford to have some of its most senior players sitting on the bench.
Free throws
N.C. State was relatively efficient from the free throw line in Maui, but some of its misses came at inopportune times. The most notable? Williams’ two misses after a Texas technical foul.
Matas Vokietaitis was called for a foul after Lubin made a layup, giving the Wolfpack an and-1 opportunity. The Texas big man spiked the ball in frustration after the call, hitting an official in the face. He was assessed a technical foul. Williams, who had missed only two free throws the entire season, went 0 for 2 on his trip to the line. Lubin, however, made the and-1 to tie the game at 64.
McNeil also missed an and-1 opportunity early in the game, while Copeland went 1 of 2 on a trip to the line in the first half. Then, the senior missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with two minutes left.
The Wolfpack finished 20-28 (71.4%) on free throws, and in a five-point game, it could have used a few more.
N.C. State shot 34 of 45 (75.5%) from the free throw line in the first two games. It averages 77.1% this season.
This story was originally published November 27, 2025 at 12:14 AM.
The National Thanksgiving Turkeys, Chocolate, left, and Chip moved into their new home at the N.C. State University Talley Turkey Education Unit after receiving a pardon from President Joe Biden at the White House. The farm on Mid Pines Road hosted a meet and greet with the famous birds on Nov. 23, 2022, in Raleigh.
Robert Willett
rwillett@newsobserver.com
Good morning and welcome to your Under the Dome newsletter. It’s Thanksgiving week, and that means it’s time for President Donald Trump’s least controversial pardons.
And yes, we’re covering the real pardons — but there’s a North Carolina connection to everything, even a (mostly) frivolous holiday tradition.
Ahead of our national day of poultry consumption, the president pardons two turkeys, inviting the lucky birds to the White House to announce they’ll be spared from being stuffed and roasted. North Carolina, as you might expect in a state that ranks first or second in turkey production depending on who you ask, has contributed to this venerable White House ceremony. In 2022, then-President Joe BidenpardonedChocolate and Chip, who were raised in Monroe and then sent to Raleigh to be “ambassadors” for NC State.
This year, it’s Gobble and Waddle’s turn for clemency. Hailing from Nahunta in Eastern North Carolina’s Wayne County, they’re now trotting billboards for North Carolina tourism. Gobble weighs 52 pounds and, according to his official White House bio, enjoys Bojangles biscuits and “making birdies at Pinehurst No. 2.” From 50-pound Waddle’s bio, we learn about his Cook Out order (a Cheerwine float) and his dream job (Hype Bird for the Wolfpack).
The White House says North Carolina 4H and FFA participants offered up potential names for the birds that then went out to a vote on social media. Another social media vote through Monday night was held to decide which one of the pair would “officially participate in the ceremonial pardoning.”
That implies the other turkey won’t participate, but don’t worry: The White House says in a press release that both turkeys will “live out the rest of their lives” at NC State, where “they will receive dedicated housing, daily care, and veterinary services as they support agriculture education and highlight the importance of America’s turkey industry and animal agriculture.”
On Friday, Gov. Josh Stein issued pardons of his own to two hens: Krispy and Kreme. And Stein’s office said Butterball will donate 1,500 turkey breasts to a local food bank.
Podcast: DMV and RDU
On a new episode of the Under the Dome podcast out today, News & Observer Capitol bureau chief and host Dawn Vaughan talks with transportation reporter Richard Stradling about what’s changed at the NC DMV, what’s coming soon at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and what to expect as you travel in North Carolina this Thanksgiving week. Plus, stay tuned for their picks for Headliner of the Week.
What we’ve been working on
Thanks for reading.
Ideas or feedback about our Under the Dome newsletter? Email our politics team at dome@newsobserver.com.
Jordan Schrader has spent the past 17 years covering state governments, including as politics editor for The News & Observer since 2016. Contact him at jschrader@newsobserver.com.
N.C. State women’s cross country coach Laurie Henes holds the national championship trophy as the Wolfpack celebrate after finishing first at the NCAA cross country championships at Columbia, Missouri, on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
John Gronski
RALEIGH
The NCAA cross country championships took place in Columbia, Missouri, on Saturday, but the women’s dynasty continues in Raleigh.
N.C. State women’s cross country won its fourth national title in five years. It is one of five programs to win at least four women’s team titles and has finished in the top 10 for seven straight seasons.
The No. 1 ranked Wolfpack finished with 114 points and edged out runner-up and No. 2 ranked BYU by 16 points, bringing the national championship back to the Triangle. N.C. State’s group averaged just 2/100ths of a seconds faster than the Cougars.
“It was awesome. It wasn’t perfect today, but we always talk about how it doesn’t have to be perfect to end up with the results that you want,” N.C. State head coach Laurie Henes said during an ESPN interview. “We had people that had maybe not their best days, but they just kept fighting and it all came together. I’m super grateful to be coaching these women. I’m so proud of them.”
Hannah Gapes led the Wolfpack with a fifth-place individual finish, recording a time of 18:51.3. Grace Hartman finished sixth with a time of 18:52.6. They earned All-America honors for the second consecutive season.
Bethany Michalak (19:14.9) and Angelina Napoleon (19:22.7) also earned All-America recognition.
N.C. State’s women’s cross country team celebrates winning the NCAA championship on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Columbia, Missouri. John Gronski
The Wolfpack trailed Oregon in the first 2,000 kilometers but made up ground to take a lead roughly halfway through the race. It led the remaining 3,000 kilometers of the course.
N.C. State’s title was preceded by the 2025 ACC Championship, its 30th conference title in school history, and NCAA Southeast Regional Championship. It won the league title over Notre Dame by 61 points, while it defeated South Carolina by 45 points in the regional.
Last season, the Wolfpack finished No. 8 in the championship — a result the team was pleased with — but it is glad to be atop the podium again. N.C. State previously won NCAA titles in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
“We were actually really happy with it last year,” Henes said. “I think a lot of people might not have realized it. We were very young, we had some issues, so for a lot of the same people to come back, do so much better and get back on top of the podium, it’s just very gratifying.”
The ACC was well-represented in the final standings. Four teams finished in the top 15, with Stanford (6th place), Notre Dame (7) and North Carolina (11) following the Wolfpack’s win.
There’s something to be said about hard work winning games. A little luck never hurt anybody.
N.C. State’s defense put on a great performance, certainly — its best of the season — but it got a lot of help to beat Florida State, 21-11, on Friday night at Carter-Finley Stadium and become bowl eligible for the 11th time overall, and sixth consecutive season, under head coach Dave Doeren. “Can’t say enough about these kids. Eleven bowl opportunities now in 13 years, six out of seven against Florida State. Pretty damn good,” Doeren said. “Proud of these guys, proud of the staff look forward to celebrating it and getting ready for the next.”
NC State cornerback Jackson Vick tackled Lawayne McCoy in the first half to stop the receiver from adding yards after a catch. Vick was originally called for targeting, but the ruling was overturned on replay.
Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey nearly fumbled the football twice in the game. His first mistake also came in the first half and was ruled a fumble recovered by Florida State. After review, it was determined Bailey’s knee was down prior to the ball being stripped. Later in the game, a similar situation took place. He was called down prior to FSU knocking the football away.
Don’t worry, special team shenanigans took place, too. Fifth-year punter Caden Noonkester booted a punt that had little hang time and distance and barely crossed midfield. The ball bounced back into N.C. State territory after hitting FSU’s KJ Kirkland. Noonkester raced to the football and recovered it, regaining possession.
“I cannot say that I’ve ever done that before,” Noonkester said. “I’ve watched my fair share of fumble recoveries, so I tried my best to imitate that on the play. It’s a result-driven business, so I got the result done. I’m sure a lot of people could criticize my technique, but I got the job done.”
N.C. State punter Caden Noonkester (98) celebrates after recovering a punt that hit a Florida State player during the second half of N.C. State’s 21-11 victory over Florida State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State (6-5, 3-4ACC) was unable to capitalize on the opportunity but that didn’t matter. FSU’s Squirrel White signaled for a fair catch, but he fumbled the punt. N.C. State linebacker Tra Thomas recovered the ball at the Florida State 14-yard line.
The Wolfpack turned the mistake into a touchdown that extended its lead from three points to 10 with 1:47 to play when Bailey found tight end Justin Joly in the end zone on a tough fourth-down play.
Bailey ended the game 18 of 25 passing for 152 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Doeren doesn’t necessarily consider the reviewed plays lucky as much as he believes those are correct decisions. He pointed to a missed facemask penalty, which didn’t go in the Pack’s favor. Doeren is still glad Vick wasn’t ejected, because the depth is so shallow there didn’t have a substitute. Who knows what the staff would’ve done.
But he agrees the team got some breaks in the win. Noonkester, for example, said he acted on pure instinct.
“That’s God’s blessing, is what that is,” Doeren said. “It’s good to get some of those. We’ve had many that didn’t go our way. Football is that way. There’s bounces in games. There’s all kinds of bounces in games, and sometimes they go your way, sometimes they don’t. That’s football, and sometimes it’s frustrating, because you just feel like it’s always against you. It’s good to finally get a couple bounces.”
Florida State (5-6, 2-6 ACC) has not won a true road game since Nov. 25, 2023, when it defeated rival Florida.
With 1:47 left in the game, N.C. State’s Justin Joly (7) pulls in a 12-yard touchdown reception as Florida State’s Shamar Arnoux (15) defends during the second half of N.C. State’s 21-11 victory over Florida State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Here’s what we learned from N.C. State’s fourth straight win over Florida State.
Stalwart defense leads NC State to victory
N.C. State’s defensive injuries have been well documented this season. Nine of the team’s top 22 defensive players have missed at least one game this fall.
A shorthanded Wolfpack, however, put together its best performance of the season.
N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren hugs Caden Fordham (1) after N.C. State’s 21-11 victory over Florida State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State ranked second-to-last in the ACC for scoring defense (31.6 points per game allowed) and was among the bottom 30% of the nation. Florida State’s offense, on the other hand, ranked No. 17 in the nation and No. 2 in the conference for scoring (36.4 points per game). The Wolfpack defense was also giving up 440.4 yards per game to its opponents, while the Seminoles offense racked up 487.5 yards.
A desperate Wolfpack defense looked nothing like it has at earlier points this season — complimentary — and played with a kind of urgency it’s sought all season. It held the Seminoles to three points in the first half and eight in the second. FSU recorded 383 yards of total offense and 180 rushing yards. It was the second-fewest points scored by Florida State this season, only one more than the Seminoles scored against Clemson. On the opposite side, it was the fewest points allowed by N.C. State against an FBS opponent in 2025.
“I’m so proud of our defensive kids and defensive staff,” Doeren said, “For putting together that game plan, for executing that game plan, playing the way that they did, believing coming off a really opposite-type of game the week before, I thought our guys played outstanding defensive football tonight.”
Cornerback Devon Marshall led the defensive attack, recording three pass breakups and one interception in the first 15 minutes and 43 seconds of game time. The Wolfpack turned Marshall’s interception and 17-yard return into a 23-yard touchdown. It was his first interception of the season and third of his career.
N.C. State’s Caden Fordham (1) and Cian Slone (8) tackle Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos (1) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Florida State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
The senior recorded his third pass breakup in the end zone, Cian Slone contributing pressure on Castellanos in the backfield. He had a fourth with just under two minutes remaining in the first half. Marshall deflected his fifth and sixth passes in the second half and intercepted a second pass on the final play of the game.
He is the first player to record five pass breakups and two interceptions since David Amerson achieved the feat on Sept. 3, 2011, against Liberty.
Marshall said at the end of October that he enjoys being on an island by himself deep down field and calls his position “Marshall Island.”
“I was just having fun out there, making plays for my team, my teammates coming up to me, celebrating with me,” Marshall said Friday. “I made plays early in the game, so I was just trying to remain focused throughout the game to keep making more plays.”
Doeren complimented Marshall’s toughness, competitive drive and coachability. The staff decided earlier in the week to match him with FSU’s leading receiver, Duce Robinson, and Marshall “rose to the occasion.
“That kid’s 6-6, 225 pounds, at least, and Devon played his butt off, man,” Doeren said. “If he’s not Player of the Week in the ACC, they got blinders on, because that was a hell of a performance by him.”
N.C. State put together a full defensive performance, though, gaining positive contributions all through the rotation.
Linebacker Kenny Soares added a pass breakup in the first half, while defensive ends Sabastian Harsh, Slone and Chase Bond put pressure on Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos and forced mistakes.
On an equally important note, nickelback Asaad Brown and linebacker Caden Fordham led all players with 12 and 15 tackles, respectively.
Florida State finished with 10 explosive plays, but the N.C. State defense limited the big opportunities and yards after contact. It also held the Seminoles scoreless on seven of its nine drives.
Fordham, whose father played at FSU and whose brother is committed to play in Tallahassee, said he’s happy to have family bragging rights. More than that, the team captain is excited about his team finally getting the results it knew it could have.
“We felt like we haven’t put a full game together as a defense, and I feel like we did that tonight,” Fordham said. “They were on us all week about doing what we need to do; just doing your job, playing fast, like we always say. It showed tonight. We finally put a full game together, and it was awesome to play out there with those guys tonight.”
N.C. State quarterback Will Wilson (10) scores on a 1-yard run in the second half of N.C. State’s 21-11 victory over Florida State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Continue to get Will Wilson, Duke Scott more touches
Hollywood Smothers is the ACC’s leading rusher, and he’s certainly worthy of plenty of touches, but he hasn’t been nearly as efficient in the last two weeks.
Smothers had seven carries for -2 yards against Miami. The running back had 58 rushing yards on 11 attempts in the first half against Florida State. He finished with 84 yards on 21 carries. On paper, Smothers’ numbers were good. He struggled at times against the Seminoles’ defensive front. Smothers’ greatest strength is arguably his evasiveness, but FSU’s speed stifled runs and chased him off of edges that would’ve been successful against other defenses.
N.C. State defensive back Devon Marshall (6) breaks up the pass intended for Florida State wide receiver Duce Robinson (0) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Florida State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke Scott, the redshirt freshman running back, finished with 10 yards on two carries in the first half. Against Miami, he recorded 14 yards on seven attempts. He entered the game with 445 yards on the season, including a career-high 196 yards against Georgia Tech. The young back earned the start against the Yellow Jackets due to Smothers’ injury. Scott is a strong downhill runner and, listed at 215 pounds, provides more physicality than Smothers.
Freshman quarterback Will Wilson entered the game in the second half and converted on three short-yardage plays to start the Pack’s first drive after halftime. Like Scott, Wilson provides more muscle in the run game. Wilson is now 5 of 5 on fourth down opportunities and 7 of 10 third-down plays. The freshman is 19 of 27 on all conversion opportunities.
N.C. State needs all three players, and Smothers should in no way be removed from the lineup, but it was clear the offense was more dynamic when it utilized the downhill runners.
Castellanos runs on Pack defense
The N.C. State scouting report had Castellanos circled on the scouting report — for his legs.
“The quarterback, obviously, he’s a guy that’s been in the ACC. I’ve seen him a lot on film,” Doeren said on Monday. “Haven’t played against him, but he’s a dynamic player, strong arm, looks like a running back when he runs a football.”
Castellanos entered the game with 2,317 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, with a 59% completion rate. He ranked second on the team with 404 rushing yards and eight scores.
The Pack had success slowing down the Boston College transfer’s passing game. He finished 16-32 for 203 passing yards and one touchdown. It couldn’t quite get him on the ground game.
Castellanos, despite being under pressure multiple times, successfully found gaps to run. He finished 76 yards on 11 rushes, including with four rushing plays of at least 10 yards.
N.C. State’s defensive effort in other areas gave the team leeway for a few solid rushing plays. Its rushing defense remains an issue at times, but the team is OK with how it performed.
“I thought the secondary played lights out. That’s a good group of wideouts; they’re fast,” Doeren said. “Their most successful plays were quarterback scrambles and, you know, [that] kid’s fast. We knew that that would happen.”
This story was originally published November 21, 2025 at 11:55 PM.
An oak leaf in the afternoon sunshine, takes on an autumnal glow, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 along Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. in Durham, N.C.
Robert Willett
rwillett@newsobserver.com
Here’s a curated selection of moments across North Carolina as captured through the lens of The News and Observer visual journalists. This feature can be seen in Sunday’s newspaper, as well as in our online Edition. See it at eedition.newsobserver.com.
A Border Patrol agent gives a man a thumbs up after checking his identification on Fox Ridge Drive in Southeast Raleigh, N.C. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. The man was not taken into custody. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
More than 100 Durham School of the Arts students stage a walkout Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, to protest recent immigration enforcement arrests carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Durham. The walkout lasted less than an hour. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
A security guard operates an automatic sliding door while watching the parking lot outside the International Foods grocery on New Hope Church Road in Raleigh on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, after federal immigration enforcement agents were seen circulating the area in unmarked SUVs. Immigrant rights groups said federal agents detained at least 12 Triangle residents on Tuesday, including in Raleigh, Durham and Cary. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Visitors tour the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival during a preview event at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary on Friday evening, Nov. 14, 2025. The festival opens to the public Nov. 15 and runs nightly through Jan. 11, featuring more than 40 new handcrafted lantern displays created by visiting Chinese artisans. Highlights include a 164-foot floating installation on Symphony Lake and interactive designs celebrating the festival’s 10th year. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
N.C. Central head coach LeVelle Moton calls a time-out as he steps away from North Carolina guard Jonathan Powell (11), who reacts after sinking a three-point basket in the first half on Friday, November 14, 2025 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Tre Holloman defends VCU’s Nyk Lewis during the first half of the Wolfpack’s game on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
“Whoop There It Is” played over the speakers at Lenovo Center during the final timeout. N.C. State men’s basketball forced an in-bounds turnover and Tre Holloman went to the line for a pair of free throws up four points with 6.9 seconds to go.
A win over Virginia Commonwealth was in its grasp. Holloman hit both free throws to give his team a six-point lead. Game over.
N.C. State pulled off the 85-79 victory after its biggest test of the season, sending head coach Will Wade’s former program back to Richmond with its second loss of the season.
N.C. State’s Darrion Williams reacts after drawing a foul during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 85-79 win over VCU on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
It was a hard-fought win, filled with mistakes, but late-game execution allowed the Wolfpack to start 4-0 before heading on the road for the first time. “We were very fortunate to win,” N.C. State head coach Will Wade said. We got outshot by 12 balls, which is hard to do. We won it at the free throw line. We drew a bunch of fouls. We didn’t make nine-plus threes. [Phil] Martelli’s teams have never won when the opponent makes nine-plus threes, out-shoots them and out rebounds, and we only got one of those three. You’re living very, very dangerously when you can’t get two or three of those things.”
N.C. State made eight 3-pointers, made 25 field goals — VCU had 27 made baskets — and finished with a 45-31 rebounding advantage.
Darrion Williams led the team with 28 points, while Holloman recorded a career-high 25.
N.C. State’s Tre Holloman drives to the hoop during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 85-79 win over VCU on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State has one of the best offenses in the country. According to KenPom stats, the Wolfpack ranks in the national top 25 for seven performance-related categories and averaged 106 points in the first three contests.
VCU’s defense, however, effectively kept N.C. State from breaking away at any point. VCU took a 1-point lead to open the game, before Williams made N.C. State’s first five points. The teams were tied at 13 with 15:39 to go in the first half, but the Wolfpack used a 12-3 run and built a nine-point advantage.
The Rams (2-2), as expected, provided a tough test on both ends of the floor and remained within a few possessions. They went to the half trailing the Wolfpack by four.
N.C. State’s offense started the second half slow, and its defense didn’t pick up the slack. VCU shot 6 of 8 from the field before the under-16 media timeout, while N.C. State shot 3 of 7, out-scoring the home squad 14-11. The Rams’ efficiency allowed them to tie the game twice in the second half.
VCU had a chance to take the lead twice but missed free throws cost them. Tyrell Ward missed went 1 of 2 with 9:49 remaining, and Jadrian Tracey missed the and-1 30 seconds later. The Rams missed four game-tying 3-pointers in the final three minutes, as well.
Williams started the game 5 of 5 from the field and 2 of 2 from 3-point range. He did not miss a shot for nearly 13 minutes. At halftime, Williams led all scorers with 17 points on 7 of 10 shooting. He entered the game averaging 21.7 points per game and making 64.7% of his 3-point baskets, ranking No. 12 in the nation and No. 2 in the ACC.
The forward finished 9 of 15 from the field with seven rebounds. Holloman shot 6 of 12 from the field and hit a trio of 3s. He also went 10 for 10 from the free throw line. “We’ve got to cut down on some of the turnovers,” Wade said. “We’ve got to cut down on some of the silliness on some things, but he’s getting more and more professional. He’s getting more and more businesslike. I think that he’s going to continue to grow throughout the season. I’ve been very pleased.”
Paul McNeil, who averaged 20 points in the first three games, went 0 for 4 against VCU without a point. The sophomore still added nine rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. His teammates also said they want him to keep shooting his shot.
Ven-Allen Lubin contributed 11 points and nine rebounds, five on the offensive glass.
N.C. State’s Ven-Allen Lubin battles VCU’s Brandon Jennings for a rebound during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 85-79 win on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s defense has been a work in progress all season, playing well in spurts but not for full games. That remained true against VCU.
The Rams had success moving the ball in their first three games. They averaged 15 assists per game and ranked No. 14 in the country with a 67.9% assist rate. The Rams ended the game with 17 assists for a 63% assist rate. Williams said the Pack needed to follow the game plan better. There were schematic aspects it didn’t accomplish that will need to be corrected going forward.
Barry Evans led the Rams with 18 points, while Jadrian Tracey added 16 points and seven assists.
“VCU is not some charity program It’s a real program,” Wade said. “They win 20-plus games every year; 22 to 25 games every year. … “They’re as good as many teams in our league. I think it makes sense when you’ve got to build a resume to play good teams. I mean, the games are going to be tough, but it makes a lot of sense to play good teams.”
Here’s what we learned from the latest Wolfpack win:
Sagnia steps up
After the Wolfpack allowed the Rams to pull down four offensive rebounds and six second-chance points in the first 4 ½ minutes, Musa Sagnia came in to help clean up the glass and provide a larger presence on the box outs. In the next four minutes, the team gave up two offensive boards but no additional second-chance points.
Sagnia played 15 minutes after the break, including a large stretch alongside Lubin, which helped his team hold VCU to three offensive rebounds and force 10 turnovers in the second half.
“I thought that those two gave us the best chance to rebound. We played with those lineups in practice. We just hadn’t played with them much in a game,” Wade said. “Sometimes you need different things. Sometimes you need shooting. You put Jerry [Deng] out there. When you need defense and rebounding, Musa and Ven been give us a great chance.”
Sagnia forward entered the game as one of the more underrated Wolfpack players. He averaged seven rebounds per game in the first three contests, including three on the offensive glass. The freshman from the Gambia also contributed two steals per game.
According to KenPom, Sagnia ranked in the national top 20 in three categories. He ranked No. 6 in the nation for offensive efficiency (173.5), No. 17 in offensive rebounding rate (21.3%) and steal rate (6%), despite playing only 18 minutes per game.
On Monday, Sagnia finished with two points, six rebounds and one steal. Even when he wasn’t adding numbers to his stat line, the rookie provided size, length and toughness when the team needed it most.
“He was big, being able to come out and just bring the energy on both ends of the floor, grabbing offensive and defensive rebounds, getting some stops on defense,” Lubin said. “He’s just an incredible player that can really, really help us. We really value him.”
Pack called for untimely fouls again
N.C. State and UNC-Greensboro were called for a combined 44 fouls on Friday night. The Wolfpack was called for 25 of those, including 15 first-half fouls. UNCG took 41 free throws in its loss.
The fouls didn’t stack up quite as drastically on Monday, but there were still several called quick and early. Lubin picked up his first personal 57 seconds into the game. Officials called a foul on Tre Holloman one minute and 50 seconds after tip.
Darrion Williams received an untimely call less than three minutes into play after hitting his second 3-pointer and putting the Wolfpack up five points.
“I’m not worried about that,” Wade said when asked about his team getting five technicals in four games. “We’ve got to play with an edge. I’d rather tell them, ‘Whoa’ than ‘go.’ We’ll back them off a little bit. But, he made a three tonight, and whatever. I’m not worried about that.”
N.C. State head coach Will Wade speaks with an official during the first half of the Wolfpack’s game against VCU on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
The number of foul calls slowed down after the early flurry — N.C. State ended the half with seven — but the Wolfpack was on the receiving end of several questionable whistles in the second half, as well. Quadir Copeland picked up his fourth foul with 13:41 remaining in the game. Officials called Copeland for two fouls within the span of 58 seconds.
Paul McNeil picked up his second foul with roughly 10 minutes to go. McNeil’s call was met with outrage from the bench and fans. There was no visible contact on the shooter, and his swat on the ball could be heard throughout the arena.
Turnovers nearly kill Pack
N.C. State doesn’t want to commit more than 12 turnovers in a game. Keeping it to 10 or fewer is even better. That goal wasn’t met on Monday.
The Wolfpack committed 17 turnovers, a season high, against the Rams. Holloman and Copeland, two of the Pack’s most experienced ball handlers, committed the most. Holloman finished with five turnovers, while Copeland accounted for three. Lubin and Williams also committed three turnovers apiece. The team picked up five turnovers in the final five minutes.
“They’re a great team,” Holloman said. “They’re scrappy, they press the ball, but I think that was on us, not be being patient but rushing and trying to press. But, we got them back on defense.”
N.C. State’s Quadir Copeland drives to the basket past VCU’s Brandon Jennings and Lazar Djokovic during the first half of the Wolfpack’s game on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State entered the game averaging nine turnovers per contest, or one per 12.2% of its possessions. The Rams defense, and a little bit of sloppiness on the Pack’s part, led to a 24.6% turnover rate against VCU.
In fact, the Pack should be thankful the Rams missed 3-pointers down the stretch, otherwise, it would’ve been on the losing side of the effort.
“We weren’t clean. We didn’t value the ball like we needed to, but we made our free throws, which was enough in this game,” Wade said. “We made our free throws. We got enough stops.”
This story was originally published November 17, 2025 at 9:28 PM.
N.C. State defeated UNC Greensboro 110-64 to earn its third regular season win on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh.
N.C. State’s Tre Holloman was ejected and Quadir Copeland received a technical foul during an on-court altercation early in the first half. The Wolfpack outscored the Spartans 63-27 in the second half, and Darrion Williams and Paul McNeil each recorded career highs in points.
The Wolfpack will face VCU in Raleigh on Monday.
N.C. State’s Paul McNeil, Jr. high fives head coach Will Wade after exiting the game late in the second half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win over UNC Greensboro on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Quadir Copeland and Zymicah Wilkins react on the bench in the closing minutes of N.C. State’s 110-64 win over UNC Greensboro on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Quadir Copeland and Darrion Williams pressure UNC Greensboro’s Donald Whitehead, Jr. during the first half of the Wolfpack’s game on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Quadir Copeland has words with UNC Greensboro’s Landon King during the first half of the Wolfpack’s game on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Tre Holloman watches the replay after being ejected during the first half of the Wolfpack’s game against UNC Greensboro on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Musa Sagnia pulls down a rebound over UNC Greensboro’s Domas Kauzonas during the first half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Paul McNeil, Jr. shoots over UNC Greensboro’s Assane Mandian during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Matt Able listens in the huddle during a timeout in the second half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win over UNC Greensboro on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Jerry Deng slams in two during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win over UNC Greensboro on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Matt Able drives to the basket past UNC Greensboro’s Valentino Pinedo during the first half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Quadir Copeland reacts after scoring during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win over UNC Greensboro on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Musa Sagnia battles UNC Greensboro’s Justin Neely for a rebound during the first half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Alyn Breed drives to the basket past UNC Greensboro’s Valentino Pinedo during the first half of the Wolfpack’s game on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Musa Sagnia drives around UNC Greensboro’s Valentino Pinedo and Antwann Jones during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State head coach Will Wade speaks with an official during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win over UNC Greensboro on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Matt Able drives to the basket [ast UNC Greensboro’s Justin Neely during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Darrion Williams shoots over UNC Greensboro’s Assane Mandian during the first half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Darrion Williams reacts after knocking down a three-point basket during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win over UNC Greensboro on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Ven-Allen Lubin drives past UNC Greensboro Spartans forward Valentino Pinedo during the first half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Alyn Breed and Darrion Williams pressure UNC Greensboro’s Lilian Marville during the first half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Darrion Williams wrestles the ball away from UNC Greensboro’s Justin Neely during the first half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
N.C. State’s Quadir Copeland hugs head coach Will Wade as he exits the game during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 110-64 win over UNC Greensboro on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
This story was originally published November 13, 2025 at 12:28 AM.
Incoming undergraduate students at UNC-Chapel Hill could see a tuition and fee increase beginning next year, for the first time in nearly a decade.
North Carolina State University is also proposing tuition increases for all of its students as public universities deal with expected budget cuts from North Carolina lawmakers.
The UNC board of trustees will meet this week to consider a proposal to raise tuition for resident undergraduate students by 3%, the maximum allowable under state law. The change would go into effect for the class that matriculates in 2026. Current students wouldn’t see a tuition increase.
The 3% increase would raise tuition by $211 per year at UNC. Along with a proposed $53 fee increase for a new recreation and wellness center, UNC resident undergrads would pay $9,360 in tuition and fees per year.
Resident undergraduate tuition at UNC-Chapel Hill has been flat since the fall of 2017 as it has at other public schools in the UNC System. The university is routinely ranked among the best values among public universities in the nation.
“I’m opposed to the tuition increase on in-state students,” trustee Jim Blaine told WRAL.
The proposal includes a 10% increase for non-resident tuition. If approved, nonresident undergraduates would pay $49,601 in tuition and fees. UNC would still rank behind peer institutions such as the flagship public universities in Michigan, Virginia and California. But the Increase would put UNC higher than Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and others.
The proposal wouldn’t increase tuition for graduate students, but it seeks to include increases for students in the schools of government, law and pharmacy.
The proposal includes a 7% increase for fees for residential halls and an average 3.9% increase for meal plans.
The trustees will consider the increases at Wednesday’s budget, finance and infrastructure committee. The full board meets Thursday in Chapel Hill.
If approved by the trustees, the tuition and fee rates would be submitted to the UNC System Board of Governors for review and approval early next year. The Board of Governors oversee all of the state’s public universities. But tuition decisions are made on a campus-by-campus basis.
NC State University’s board of trustees also meets Thursday and Friday, and it will consider a 3% across-the-board tuition increase on all students — undergraduate and graduate, resident and nonresident. Current resident undergrads wouldn’t be impacted. Tuition would rise by $196 per year for the incoming cohort of resident undergraduates.
The tuition increases for all students would generate an additional $7.7 million with most of the money going toward improved quality and accessibility, according to the university.
