NC State Wolfpack

The North Carolina State University participates at the NCAA Division I men’s basketball competition as a member of the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) under the name of NC State Wolfpack. The program is a founding member of the ACC and regularly participates at the conference. Currently coached under Sidney Lowe in his third year at the bench, the program is nicknamed Wolfpack and plays their home games at RBC Center which can host 19,722 people at a time.

The Wolfpack entered intercollegiate varsity competition in 1911 and within 97 years of participation, they have attained a number 24 rank according to the total wins at the NCAA Division I basketball programs. They are also rated 26th from top according to the winning percentage with a win to loss record of 1503-894.

In 1946, Everett Case stepped on the bench as the head coach for the program. Before joining the Wolfpack, Case worked for the Indiana University and led the team to 4 state championship wins with a 726-75 record. The team grabbed their first ever Southern Conference title in 18 years, in 1947. When Case was serving his second season, the program, which was earlier known by the nickname “Red Terror”, changed its name to Wolfpack. Case led the program to clinch six consecutive Southern Conference titles.

In 1952-52 along with 6 topmost teams participating at the Southern Conference North Carolina detached from the conference to form the Atlantic Coast Conference. Going into the competition ranked 8th nationwide, NC played their first ACC game in 1953. NC had brought home 3 consecutive ACC Championship titles until 1955-56. They participated at their 6th overall ACC Championship and won the title for the fourth time in 1958.

In 1967, Norm Sloan joined the team after Case retired from the program. Sloan’s first major win came in 1969-70 when NC won the ACC Championship defeating 3rd ranked South Carolina. During 1972-74, Tom Burleson, David Thompson and Monte Towe formed a powerful team to govern the NC attack.

Another coach that had a major impact on the team’s performance was Jim Valvano who was signed up in 1980. In 1990, on account of allegations about malpractices at the athletics department of NC, Valvano was fired from the program despite all the allegations turning out to be false. Lowe joined the team in 2006 and has won the Wolfpack their first NIT (National Invitation Tournament) berth since 2000.

Major Achievements

The program has won 2 NCAA Tournament titles, 17 Conference tournament titles and 7 Conference regular season titles.

They have been to 9 NCAA Sweet Sixteens, 6 NCAA Tournament Elite Eights and 3 NCAA Final Fours.