NC State Demolishes Short-Handed No. 16 UNC 82-58

Wolfpack snap two-game losing streak with dominant win over rival Tar Heels.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Quadir Copeland scored 20 points and Matt Able added 19 off the bench as N.C. State snapped a two-game losing streak with an 82-58 victory over rival North Carolina. The Tar Heels were missing their two leading scorers, Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar, for the second consecutive game, and their absence was heavily felt as the Wolfpack pressed the attack all night backed by a boisterous home crowd.

Why it matters

This was a crucial bounce-back win for N.C. State, which had lost badly to Louisville and collapsed late against Miami in its previous two games, putting its NCAA Tournament hopes in jeopardy. The dominant victory over the short-handed but still ranked Tar Heels gives the Wolfpack a signature win and helps solidify their position for March Madness.

The details

N.C. State shot 53.1% from the field and made 9-of-20 3-pointers (45%) to build a 16-point halftime lead. The Wolfpack kept up the pressure in the second half as the cold-shooting Tar Heels never threatened. Three other N.C. State players scored in double figures: Darrion Williams had 13, Ven-Allen Lubin added 12, and Paul McNeil Jr. chipped in with 10. North Carolina struggled mightily, shooting just 31.7% from the floor and making only 5-of-33 3-pointers (15%).

  • The game was played on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Quadir Copeland

A N.C. State player who scored 20 points and added 6 rebounds and 7 assists in the win.

Matt Able

A N.C. State player who scored 19 points off the bench in the victory.

Caleb Wilson

North Carolina's leading scorer who missed the game due to a fractured hand.

Henri Veesaar

North Carolina's second-leading scorer and rebounder who missed the game due to a lower-body injury.

Will Wade

The head coach of the N.C. State Wolfpack.

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What’s next

The Wolfpack next faces another Top 25 test when they travel to No. 14 Virginia next Tuesday. The Tar Heels will look to regroup on Saturday when they visit Syracuse.

The takeaway

N.C. State's dominant victory over the short-handed but still ranked Tar Heels gives the Wolfpack a signature win and helps solidify their position for March Madness, while North Carolina's struggles without their top two scorers raise questions about their ability to compete at the highest level in the ACC.