RALEIGH, NC – DECEMBER 31: Guard Quadir Copeland (11) of the NC State Wolfpack sings along to the NC State alma mater after the college basketball game between the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the NC State Wolfpack on December 31, 2025 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Katherine Gawlik/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
In Tuesday’s ACC Action, Boston College is at Florida State, Louisville sees SMU, Virginia Tech goes to Miami and UNC takes the short drive over to Raleigh to see about Will Wade’s NC State Wolfpack.
It’s a big game for both teams.
UNC is without its best player, Caleb Wilson, and was missing Henri Veesaar on Saturday against Pitt. He’s listed as questionable for State due to an ankle issue.
This is a game that Wade willfully amplified when he mocked Hubert Davis for not knowing what to do with Ven-Allen Lubin last season when he was briefly a Tar Heel. For what seems like forever, UNC has deliberately treated State like the proverbial little brother. They have not been on equal terms.
It’s a huge game for State for rivalry reasons, but also now it’s crucial to the Wolfpack’s postseason hopes (this is even more so for when Duke visits in about two weeks).
State has gone wobbly lately, with a dreadful loss at Louisville and then the late collapse against Miami. Who shows up Tuesday? Good State or bad State? Will UNC continue to play well while Wilson is out?
We’ll know Tuesday night.
Given the remarkable improvement we’ve seen from the Seminoles, we don’t see how BC can win that one, plus FSU is almost back to .500. This team has improved tremendously. At one point, it seemed like they were going to just quietly fade into irrelevance. That hasn’t happened. In fact, no one can take this team lightly. They might not win, but you’ll know you’ve been in a fight.
Louisville and SMU could get interesting, especially if Mikel Johnson and Boopie Miller heat up again. A point guard duel would make for fun TV. Actually, the rest of the matchups could be good too: Jaron Pierre vs. Ryan Conwell? Sananda Fru, Khani Rooths and Aly Khalifa vs. Samet Yigitoglu and Jaden Toombs?
This one could be good.
Finally, in Miami we’ll get some insight into a great question: was the remarkable comeback at NC State an accelerant, a transformational experience? Or just a one-off?
On the other hand, Virginia Tech really needs some big wins and Miami would help their résumé. They’ve flashed some real potential at times and on any given night this team can play with anyone. You just don’t know when they’re going to do it.
Tuesday’s ACC Action
Boston College at Florida State || 6:00 || ACCNUNC at NC State || 7:00 || ESPNLouisville at SMU || 7:00 || ESPN2Virginia Tech at Miami || 8:00 || ACCN
UNC Faces Road Test in Raleigh Against NC StateHenri Veesaar’s injury status gets update before North Carolina-NC State clash5 Keys for UNC to Beat StateHubert Davis updates Caleb Wilson injury status for UNC basketballUNC can finally make Will Wade eat his silly words with NC State game up nextFSU men’s basketball hosts Boston College with a chance to get back to .500 on the lineFlorida St. climbing toward .500 with lowly Boston College up nextLoucks Touts Attention to Detail as Boston College Comes to Tallahassee for 6:00 p.m. Start on TuesdayBREAKDOWN: Can Louisville Cardinals Backcourt EXPLODE Against SMU’s Struggling Defense?Tale of The Tape, Predictions: Louisville vs. SMUWatch: Louisville HC Pat Kelsey Previews SMUTru Washington aiding Miami ahead of Virginia Tech tiltHughes: Virginia Tech’s Clash with Miami Must-Win — And What’s The Desirable ACC Tourney Path?WATCH: Miami HC Jai Lucas Preview Week Matchup Versus Virginia TechVIDEO: Jai Lucas previews game against Virginia TechGo to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions |
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