If you’re a fan of the Wolfpack, you know the mentality that head coach Will Wade has brought to NC State men’s basketball. Play hard, play tough, play to the standard. Even in an early-season game against UNC-Greensboro, keep the same energy you would as if it were a conference opponent.
That energy boiled over early in the first half when senior guards Tre Holloman and Quadir Copeland got into a scuffle with the Spartans’ bench. The altercation led to Holloman’s ejection and a technical foul for Copeland, and gave UNCG the momentum it needed to keep pace with the Wolfpack. By halftime, the red-and-white had just a 10-point lead against a mid-major school.
But when the Wolfpack emerged from the locker room for the start of the second half, it showed the nation that the hype in Raleigh is warranted, outscoring UNCG 63-27 en route to a boat race 110-64 victory — its second game of 100 points or more in its first three matches.
“We’re just playing to our standards,” said sophomore guard Paul McNeil Jr. “No matter what the score is, no matter what the situation is, do our job, get the job done and get the dub.”
The game was strictly officiated by head referee Eric Lewis and company, the same Eric Lewis who retired from NBA officiating in 2023 due to rumors of a burner account on X. In the first half alone, they awarded 44 free throws on 26 fouls, resulting in an hour-and-fifteen-minute frame. By the time the final buzzer rang, UNCG had 41 free throw attempts to NC State’s 23.
To make up for the discrepancy, the Wolfpack outscored the Spartans 42-8 in the paint. The 34-point differential was a major factor in the blowout, as NC State continued to push the tempo and attack the paint whenever possible.
“That’s the biggest statistical anomaly you’ll ever see,” Wade said. “You can go back 10 years and find stat sheets and won’t find a team that outscores somebody 42-8 in the paint. It’s impossible.”
The Wolfpack’s very own Batman and Robin — senior forward Darrion Williams and McNeil — completely took over the second half to put the game out of reach. Williams recorded 22 points in the final 20 minutes to mark a career-high 32 points to pair with 10 rebounds — his first double-double in the red-and-white. The Texas Tech transfer was unconscious from beyond the arc, shooting 6-of-8 from long range.
McNeil put on another elite shooting performance, making 6-of-13 3-point attempts. Wade has clearly given the North Carolina native the green light to shoot the ball, and McNeil didn’t disappoint, posting a career-high 27 points while shooting 50 percent from the field.
“We put the work in, you can never hide your work ethic,” McNeil said. “That was our mindset going into the game.”
Senior guard Alyn Breed filled Holloman’s shoes after his ejection. The McNeese State transfer recorded four points, four rebounds and four assists with zero turnovers in 26 minutes played. While those numbers may not stand out, it’s the first time that Breed has played double-digit minutes since recovering from a season-ending injury last season.
“It means a lot,” Breed said. “I’ve been with Wade for almost two years now. He’s got a lot of faith in me, and I have a lot of faith in him. I knew I had to step up for my teammates today.”
NC State will be back in action Nov. 17, as it hosts VCU, where Wade coached for two seasons from 2015 to 2017. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
