Virginia 81-74 NC State (Mar 12, 2026) Recreation Recap

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — — Malik Thomas scored 16 factors, Thijs De Ridder added 15 and No. 10 Virginia defeated N.C. State for the third time this season, 81-74 on Thursday within the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament quarterfinals.

Coach Ryan Odom earned the win on the identical ground the place he led Sixteenth-seeded UMBC to a historic and shocking upset over then-No. 1 total seed Virginia within the 2018 NCAA Tournament.

Jacari White added 13 factors because the Cavaliers (28-5) shot 54.8% from the sphere within the second half and made 6 of 13 3-point makes an attempt to tug away.

Paul McNeil Jr. had 26 factors and Van-Allen Lubin added 14 for the Wolfpack (20-13).

N.C. State had misplaced by 15 factors at house and 29 factors on the highway earlier this season to Virginia and by no means led both sport. Wolfpack coach Will Wade stated earlier than the sport his staff has “been outclassed” by the Cavaliers.

But N.C. State stormed to a 22-16 lead behind eight early factors from Lubin as Wade appeared content material to pound the ball inside.

The Cavaliers would battle again to take a 33-32 lead after De Ridder knocked down a nook 3 simply earlier than halftime and commenced to tug away after halftime when Dallin Hall drilled a 3 for a double-digit lead.

The Wolfpack minimize the result in 4 with 26.8 seconds left on a 3 by McNeil after which pressured a turnover below their very own basket on the following rebound. But they missed two short-range photographs and Virginia sealed the sport with some late free throws.

Up subsequent

N.C. State: Despite dropping seven of their final 9 video games, the Wolfpack are anticipated to make the NCAA Tournament as an at-large staff.

Virginia: Will face Miami, a 78-73 quarterfinal winner over No. 24 Louisville, in Friday’s semifinals. The Cavaliers beat the Hurricanes 86-83 final month.

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