Virginia vs NC State ACC Tournament

The No. 2 seed Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball will face the No. 7 seed NC State Wolfpack men’s basketball in the quarterfinals of the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 12. The game is scheduled to tip off at noon ET at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Meanwhile, fans can watch the game live on ESPN2 or listen through the Virginia Sports Radio Network.

This Virginia vs NC State matchup is expected to be one of the most competitive games in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals. Both teams bring strong rosters, postseason ambitions, and recent momentum into the contest.

Virginia’s Strong 2025–26 Season

To begin with, the Virginia Cavaliers have enjoyed an outstanding 2025–26 season, posting an impressive 27–4 record. As a result, they secured the No. 2 seed in the ACC Tournament.

Moreover, Virginia has been one of the highest-scoring teams in the conference this season. The Cavaliers are averaging 80.9 points per game, which marks their highest scoring average since the 2000–01 season. In addition, they have scored 80 or more points in 18 games, highlighting their consistent offensive production.

At the same time, Virginia’s overall efficiency has earned national recognition. The Cavaliers currently rank No. 14 in the NET rankings and No. 20 in the KenPom rankings. Therefore, they enter the ACC Tournament as a serious contender.

Furthermore, the team’s +12.6 scoring margin is its best since the 2018–19 season, when Virginia captured the national championship.

Ryan Odom’s Immediate Impact

Another major storyline this season is the leadership of first-year head coach Ryan Odom. Since arriving at Virginia, Odom has quickly made a major impact on the program.

Previously, Odom spent two successful seasons with the VCU Rams men’s basketball, where he compiled a 52–21 record and guided the Rams to the NCAA Tournament. As a result, Virginia hired him to lead the next era of Cavaliers basketball.

So far, that decision has paid off. Odom’s 27 wins represent the most victories ever recorded by a first-year Virginia head coach. Additionally, his strong debut season places him among the best first-year coaches in ACC history, alongside coaches such as Bill Guthridge.

Notably, Odom previously coached at Utah State Aggies men’s basketball, UMBC Retrievers men’s basketball, and Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball. In fact, he is widely known for leading UMBC during the historic 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament upset of Virginia, the first time a No. 16 seed defeated a No. 1 seed.

Key Players Leading Virginia

In terms of player performance, Virginia has several standout contributors. First and foremost, forward Thijs De Ridder has been the team’s top performer this season.

De Ridder earned All-ACC First Team honors while also being selected to the All-Rookie Team. Currently, he averages 15.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Additionally, he has recorded 11 games with at least 20 points, including a career-high 32-point performance earlier in the season.

Meanwhile, center Ugonna Onyenso anchors the team’s defense. He leads the ACC with 2.6 blocks per game, which also ranks among the best marks nationally. Because of his defensive dominance, Onyenso earned a spot on the ACC All-Defensive Team.

Furthermore, Virginia receives strong production from several other players, including:

Malik Thomas – 12.1 points per game
Sam Lewis – 10.4 points per game
Chance Mallory – 9.6 points per game
Dallin Hall – 4.3 assists per game

Importantly, seven different Virginia players have led the team in scoring at least once this season. Therefore, the Cavaliers rely on a balanced offensive approach rather than a single dominant scorer.

Defensive Strength and Team Statistics

Besides their strong offense, Virginia has also excelled defensively. In fact, the Cavaliers rank first in the ACC in blocks, averaging 6.2 blocks per game.

Additionally, Virginia leads the conference in rebounds (40.8 per game) and offensive rebounds (13.5 per game). As a result, the Cavaliers consistently control the boards and limit second-chance opportunities for opponents.

Moreover, the team ranks near the top of the ACC in scoring defense, allowing just 68.3 points per game. Consequently, Virginia has developed one of the most complete statistical profiles in the conference.

Series History: Virginia vs NC State

Historically, the rivalry between Virginia and NC State has been competitive. Overall, NC State holds an 87–73 advantage in the all-time series dating back to 1912.

However, Virginia has performed well in recent matchups. Specifically, the Cavaliers have won four of the last five meetings and six of the last ten games between the teams.

Most recently, Virginia defeated NC State 90–61 on February 24 in Charlottesville. During that game, De Ridder scored 19 points, while German center Johann Grünloh recorded eight blocks in a dominant defensive performance.

Furthermore, Virginia shot 70% in the second half, while NC State managed only 29.4% shooting overall. Therefore, the Cavaliers enter this quarterfinal matchup with confidence.

What’s at Stake

Looking ahead, the stakes are high for both teams in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals. The winner will advance to the semifinals on Friday night at the Spectrum Center.

Historically, Virginia has enjoyed success in the tournament. The Cavaliers have captured ACC Tournament championships in 1976, 2014, and 2018.

Therefore, with a powerful offense, elite defense, and strong coaching leadership, Virginia hopes to continue its postseason run and compete for another ACC title.