NC State Basketball 2025 Preview: Key Transfers, Schedule Highlights & Must-Watch Games

RALEIGH, N.C. — NC State basketball suffered its first setback of the young 2025-26 season when the No. 18 USC Trojans rallied late to edge the No. 9 Wolfpack 69-68 at the Ally Tipoff in Charlotte on Nov. 9. Second-half collapse • NC State led by nine with 4:12 remaining but managed just one field goal the rest of the way. • USC freshman guard Jazzy Davidson scored 21 points, including the go-ahead layup with 8.2 seconds left. • The Wolfpack committed three turnovers in the final two minutes, erasing an otherwise efficient night from the field (51%). Wolfpack highlights • Graduate guard DJ Horne poured in 19 points on 4-for-6 shooting from deep. • Sophomore forward Mo Diarra posted 14 points and 10 rebounds, his second double-double in three games. • NC State dominated points in the paint 38-24 but allowed USC to convert 11 offensive boards into 13 second-chance points. Recent form Before the neutral-site thriller, NC State blitzed UAB 94-70 behind 18 points apiece from transfer guard Quadir Copeland and five-star freshman Paul McNeil Jr.. The victory pushed the Wolfpack to 2-0 and briefly into the AP top 10 for the first time since 2023. Areas to clean up Head coach Kevin Keatts pointed to late-game execution and defensive rebounding as priority fixes ahead of a three-game homestand that opens Nov. 12 against UNC Greensboro, a matchup the Spartans enter still searching for their first win. NC State surrendered 17 offensive rebounds combined in its last two outings after giving up only five in the opener. What’s next • Nov 12 vs UNC Greensboro • Nov 15 vs Central Connecticut State • Nov 19 vs South Carolina State Outlook in the ACC NC State’s early stumble reduces margin for error in a deep ACC that features six preseason top-25 programs. Veteran guards Horne and Casey Morsell give the Wolfpack proven shot-making, but consistency from newcomers Copeland, McNeil and Diarra will determine whether Keatts’ squad can chase its first conference crown since 1989. Search interest in “NC State basketball” is spiking as fans dissect the late-game meltdown and look ahead to how the Wolfpack respond. A convincing bounce-back this week would steady momentum before December brings marquee clashes with Miami and Duke.