What's Happening?
NC State secured an 80-76 overtime victory against No. 18 Clemson, ending the Tigers' nine-game winning streak. The game, held at Clemson's home court, saw NC State's Ven-Allen Lubin lead with 22 points. The Wolfpack, now 13-6 overall and 4-2 in the ACC, managed to maintain a lead for much of the game, despite Clemson's efforts to close the gap. Clemson, which had been undefeated in ACC play, struggled with turnovers and poor free-throw shooting, which contributed to their first conference loss of the season. NC State's head coach, Will Wade, a former Clemson graduate assistant, celebrated his first win against his alma mater since a previous NCAA Tournament upset.
Why It's Important?
This victory is significant for NC State as it boosts their standing in the ACC
and demonstrates their ability to compete against top-ranked teams. For Clemson, the loss highlights vulnerabilities, particularly in maintaining leads and executing free throws under pressure. The outcome may impact Clemson's ranking and momentum as they continue their conference schedule. For NC State, the win could serve as a catalyst for further success in the season, potentially improving their chances for a favorable position in the ACC tournament.
What's Next?
Clemson will aim to recover from this setback as they prepare to face Georgia Tech in their next ACC matchup. The Tigers will need to address their turnover issues and improve their free-throw accuracy to regain their winning form. NC State, on the other hand, will look to build on this victory as they head to Pittsburgh for their next game. Both teams will be focusing on maintaining their competitiveness in the ACC standings as the season progresses.
