Ayrton Oneill
The NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team represents North Carolina State University in NCAA Division I men's basketball. The Wolfpack is one of the seven founding members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), which they joined in 1954. As an ACC member, the Wolfpack has won eleven conference championships and two national championships in 1974 and 1983. The team has a rich history in basketball, with notable achievements such as winning the 2024 ACC tournament and having the coach and player receive ACC Coach of the Year and ACC Men's Basketball Player of the Year awards in 2004.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the team | NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team |
| University represented | North Carolina State University |
| Competition | NCAA Division I men's basketball |
| Founding member of | Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) |
| Year of joining ACC | 1954 |
| Previous membership | Southern Conference |
| Number of conference championships won in Southern Conference | 7 |
| Number of ACC conference championships won | 11 |
| Number of national championships won | 2 (in 1974 and 1983) |
| Home game venue | Lenovo Center (since 1999) |
| Previous home game venue | Reynolds Coliseum (before 1999) |
| Year of beginning varsity intercollegiate competition | 1911 |
| 2024 ACC tournament winner | NC State |
| 2025 ACC tournament winner | Duke |
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What You'll Learn
NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team history
The NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team has represented North Carolina State University in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition since 1911. The Wolfpack is one of the seven founding members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and joined the ACC in 1954 after previously competing in the Southern Conference, where they won seven conference championships.
The Wolfpack played their home games at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, North Carolina, for 50 years before moving to the PNC Arena in 1999. The team has a rich history of success, ranking 25th in total victories among NCAA Division I college basketball programs and 26th in winning percentage among programs that have competed at the Division I level for at least 26 years. Their all-time record is 1782-1114 (.615).
The 1973–74 season was a standout year for the Wolfpack. They finished undefeated in the ACC conference play, losing only one game throughout the entire season. They went on to win the 1974 ACC men's basketball title and the NCAA tournament, becoming national champions. Notable players from this team include star high-jumping forward David Thompson, 7-foot-4 center Tom Burleson, and point guard Monte Towe.
The Wolfpack won their second national title in a famous game against the Cougars, who were expected to win easily due to their athletic and fast-paced style of play featuring Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon. However, NC State escaped with the victory after a last-second air ball by Dereck Whittenburg was caught and dunked by Lorenzo Charles, resulting in a final score of 54-52. This game is considered one of the most famous in college basketball history.
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NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament
The NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team represents North Carolina State University in the NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Wolfpack is one of the seven founding members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The team began varsity intercollegiate competition in men's basketball in 1911. Prior to joining the ACC in 1954, the Wolfpack were members of the Southern Conference, where they won seven conference championships. As a member of the ACC, the Wolfpack has won eleven conference championships and two national championships in 1974 and 1983.
The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament is a popular tournament that attracts a lot of attention from fans and the media. The tournament features 68 teams, expanded from 64 teams in 1985, and is known for its exciting and unpredictable nature, often referred to as "March Madness". The tournament is held annually, with the 2025 tournament taking place in April in San Antonio, Texas, and the First Four being the official start to the competition.
The NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team has experienced success in recent years, with the 2024 NCAA tournament run marking a significant achievement. The team finished the season with a 27-6 record and won its fourth consecutive Southern Conference tournament. This performance earned them invitations to both the National Invitation Tournament and the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The team accepted the invitation to their first-ever NCAA Tournament, demonstrating their ambition and desire to compete at the highest level.
The Wolfpack plays most of its home games at Lenovo Center, where the NCAA championship trophies are kept. The team's success has been a result of strong coaching and talented recruits. For instance, coach Sendek won ACC Coach of the Year in 2004, and one of his prized recruits, Julius Hodge, won the ACC Men's Basketball Player of the Year that same year. The Wolfpack's success has also translated to the women's team, which made the Final Four in 2024, marking the first season where both the men's and women's teams achieved this feat.
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ACC championship wins
The NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team is one of the seven founding members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The team has won eleven ACC conference championships, as well as two national championships in 1974 and 1983.
In 1974, the Wolfpack men's basketball team won their first NCAA championship, defeating Marquette 76-64. Junior forward David Thompson, who led the Wolfpack to its first NCAA title, was named Tournament MVP. Tom Burleson, Monte Towe, Tim Stoddard, and Mo Rivers also made key contributions to the championship run.
Before their victory over Marquette, the Wolfpack beat UCLA in a semi-final game, sparking a massive riot on Hillsborough Street. In the finals of the ACC basketball tournament that year, NC State defeated Maryland 76-74, winning the conference championship. Junior centre Tommy Burleson was named the ACC Tournament MVP.
In 1983, the Wolfpack men's basketball team won their second NCAA championship. Led by head coach Jim Valvano, the team also won two ACC titles during his tenure from 1980 to 1990. In 2024, the Wolfpack won the ACC Tournament for the first time since 1987, defeating Texas Tech, Oakland, Marquette, and Duke to advance to the Final Four.
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Home game venues
The NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team represents North Carolina State University in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Wolfpack is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and has won eleven conference championships and two national championships in 1974 and 1983.
Since 1999, the Wolfpack has played most of its home games at the Lenovo Center, which is also where the NCAA championship trophies are kept. The multi-purpose arena is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, on the campus of North Carolina State University. Prior to 1999, the team played at the Reynolds Coliseum, which is now officially named James T. Valvano Arena at Reynolds Coliseum, in honour of the national championship-winning Wolfpack men's basketball coach. The first men's basketball game was played on December 2, 1949, against Washington & Lee University, with NC State winning 67-47. Reynolds Coliseum was the original site of the ACC men's basketball tournament from 1954 to 1966 and has hosted the NCAA men's basketball tournament eight times. In recent years, the Wolfpack has played a December regular-season "heritage" game at the arena.
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NC State Wolfpack men's basketball coaches
The NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team has a long and storied history, with the team beginning varsity intercollegiate competition in 1911. The Wolfpack is one of the seven founding members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and has enjoyed much success over the years, winning eleven conference championships and two national championships in 1974 and 1983.
The team's greatest success has come under several well-known coaches, including Everett Case, who led the team from 1946 to 1965, Norm Sloan (1967-1980), and Jim Valvano (1980-1990). Case's tenure was particularly notable, as he laid the foundation for the Wolfpack's future success and even has a basketball court named after him at the university. Following Case's unexpected death in 1966, Sloan, a former Wolfpack player himself, took over and led the team to two national championships.
In more recent times, the NC State men's basketball team has had several coaches with varying levels of success. In 1991, coach Mike Robinson led the Wolfpack to a 20-11 record, becoming the first first-year coach in ACC history to win 20 games and achieve several other milestones. Another notable coach in the 2000s was Herb Sendek, who won ACC Coach of the Year in 2004 and recruited talented players like Julius Hodge, who won the ACC Men's Basketball Player of the Year during Sendek's tenure.
The most recent change in coaching staff occurred in 2025, when Kevin Keatts was fired after a disappointing 12-19 season record, including a 5-15 mark in the ACC. Will Wade was named the new head coach of the NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team on March 23, 2025, and the team hopes to turn their fortunes around under his leadership.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team is in the ACC. They are one of the seven founding members of the Atlantic Coast Conference, having joined in 1954.
The Wolfpack has won eleven conference championships as a member of the ACC, as well as two national championships in 1974 and 1983. In 2024, they won the ACC for the 11th time.
Since 1999, the team has played most of its home games at the Lenovo Center, which is also where the NCAA championship trophies are kept.
