SMU Faces Surging North Carolina State in ACC Clash

Mustangs look to bounce back after three straight losses to ranked teams

Feb. 3, 2026 at 1:47am

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After three consecutive losses to ranked opponents, SMU will host unranked but surging North Carolina State in an ACC matchup on Tuesday. The Mustangs led by as many as 12 points in the first half against No. 20 Louisville on Saturday before falling 88-74, committing 16 turnovers. Meanwhile, NC State has won four straight games and sits at 16-6 overall and 7-2 in conference play, its best ACC start since 2005.

Why it matters

This game represents an opportunity for SMU to get back on track after facing a tough stretch of ranked opponents. NC State has emerged as a surprise contender in the ACC, making this an important conference clash between two teams heading in opposite directions.

The details

SMU led Louisville by as many as 12 points in the first half on Saturday but fell apart in the second half, committing 10 of their 16 turnovers after halftime. The Mustangs' four conference losses have all come against ranked teams. Meanwhile, NC State is riding a four-game winning streak and has its best ACC start since 2005, led by strong performances from Paul McNeil Jr., Darrion Williams, and Quadir Copeland.

  • The game will take place on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 in Dallas.
  • SMU is coming off a loss to No. 20 Louisville on Saturday, February 1, 2026.

The players

Andy Enfield

Head coach of the SMU Mustangs.

Will Wade

Head coach of the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

Boopie Miller

SMU player who scored 20 points in the loss to Louisville.

Paul McNeil Jr.

NC State player who led the team with 28 points in their win over Wake Forest.

Quadir Copeland

NC State player who had 10 assists in their win over Wake Forest.

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What they’re saying

“We just didn't play well in the second half. We had two assists and 10 turnovers -- our guards didn't share the basketball like we did in the first half. Very disappointing. We shot a low percentage as a result of that, just too many turnovers.”

— Andy Enfield, Head coach, SMU Mustangs

“You want to continue to get better as the season goes on, and hopefully we can continue to get better. We're at the halfway mark now. The back stretch is not easy. We've got to continue to improve, continue to get better, and continue to do the things that we need to do to allow us to be successful as a team. I do think we're making progress.”

— Will Wade, Head coach, North Carolina State Wolfpack

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a step forward in the ACC standings, while the loser will need to regroup and try to bounce back in their next conference matchup.

The takeaway

This game represents an important conference clash between two teams heading in opposite directions. SMU is looking to get back on track after a tough stretch, while NC State is surging and looking to continue its best start in the ACC since 2005.