8. NC State Wolfpack - 8-6 (1-2)
In the first couple of weeks, NC State looked to be a potential threat, starting off 5-0. But they faltered off against high-major opponents, with just an overtime win over Florida State being the lone decent win on the resume.
This past week, the Wolfpack went on the road to take Virginia and Wake Forest. They were ahead of the Cavaliers by 10 at halftime, but their defense let them down in the final 20 minutes, falling 70-67 at the end. Jayden Taylor led the team with 15 points and five assists, while Marcus Hill and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield each had 12.
It wasn’t as close for them in the next game at Wake Forest. The final score in that defeat was 77-59, led by 10 points from Hill and 10 points from Michael O’Connell. One issue has been the frontcourt struggles, with big man Ben Middlebrooks scoring just eight points in three total ACC games.
The Wolfpack comes back home for the next two games, taking on two of the best backcourts in the conference. They have Notre Dame with a healthy Marcus Burton, along with a UNC team that could have Seth Trimble back after his current absence.