Texas and North Carolina State face off Tuesday night in Dayton, Ohio, in the First Four round of the NCAA Tournament, a critical game for both teams who narrowly avoided being excluded from the bracket. The winner will earn the West Region’s No. 11 seed and advance to play No. 6 BYU in Portland on Thursday.
A Second Chance in March
Both the Longhorns (18-14) and the Wolfpack (20-13) are tumbling into the tournament after recent struggles. Texas has lost five of its last six games, including defeats to Oklahoma and Ole Miss, teams that did not make the tournament field. NC State has lost seven of its last nine, falling from a comfortably positioned team to one fighting for survival.
The teams have met once already this season, with Texas defeating NC State 102-97 in the Maui Invitational in November. Although, both coaches acknowledge that recent performance issues on both sides diminish the value of revisiting that earlier contest.
Coaches Address Team Struggles
NC State coach Will Wade has openly questioned his team’s discipline and effort, stating, “Now it’s our time to see if People can do something with this opportunity, more than we’ve done during the regular season.” Texas coach Rodney Miller said his team used two days to “take a deep breath, get away from each other, get our legs and mind right” and return to practice.
In the first meeting, Jordan Pope led Texas with 28 points, while Quadir Copeland (28 points), Ven-Allen Lubin (23) and Paul McNeil Jr. (20) each scored over 20 points for NC State. Miller noted that both teams possess “great firepower” and are familiar with each other’s strengths.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is at stake in this game?
The winner of the game between Texas and NC State will become the West Region’s No. 11 seed and advance to play No. 6 BYU in Portland on Thursday.
How have these teams been performing recently?
Texas has lost five of its last six games, and NC State has lost seven of its last nine.
Have these teams played each other before?
Yes, Texas defeated NC State 102-97 in the Maui Invitational in November.
Given the recent struggles of both programs, what do you think will be the biggest factor in determining the outcome of this crucial First Four matchup?
