NC State basketball players discuss win vs Notre Dame, preview UNC
Following N.C. State basketball’s win vs. Notre Dame, Dontrez Styles and other members of the Wolfpack discussed the game and looked ahead to UNC.
UNC basketball and N.C. State meet this weekend for the first time since playing in the championship game of the 2024 ACC Tournament.
Both teams were hoping for better starts to the 2024-25 season, but the Tar Heels (10-6, 3-1 ACC) and Wolfpack (9-6, 2-2) have a chance to create some momentum on Saturday (4 p.m., ACC Network) at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh.
UNC has a 19-6 record against N.C. State at the Lenovo Center, but the teams have split the last four meetings in Raleigh. The Tar Heels won two of three games last year, but the Wolfpack won the trophy game with an 84-76 win in the ACC Tournament.
Here are some other things to know and score prediction for the latest rivalry matchup between the Tar Heels and Wolfpack.
UNC basketball’s RJ Davis playing at NC State for final time
Fifth-year guard RJ Davis will play at N.C. State for the final time this weekend. Davis has averaged 15.2 points in nine games against the Wolfpack, with a 6-3 record. He had 30 points in the 2024 ACC Tournament against N.C. State and is coming off an efficient 26-point performance against SMU.
Defense in spotlight for UNC basketball, NC State
UNC and N.C. State are a combined 6-12 against high-major opponents this season, allowing opponents to shoot an average of 48.6% in those 12 losses. Defense has been the primary weakness for the Tar Heels and Wolfpack, but both are coming off their best defensive performances of the season.
Dontrez Styles vs Drake Powell among key matchups in Wolfpack vs Tar Heels
N.C. State senior Dontrez Styles, who started his career at UNC, will face his former team this weekend. Styles has averaged 10.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in the last two games as one of the Wolfpack’s most consistent players. He’ll likely be matched up with UNC freshman Drake Powell, one the Tar Heels’ top two-way players. Powell is coming off a 17-point game against SMU.
UNC vs NC State score prediction
UNC 78, N.C. State 73: Both teams haven’t been good defensively, but the Tar Heels have been more consistent of late and have the better offense. RJ Davis and the Tar Heels will win a close one in Raleigh.
Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
