The NC State Wolfpack made their first foray onto the national college basketball stage in the 1950s, when they made 5 appearances in the NCAA March Madness tournament including one drive to the Final Four. The Wolfpack faded a bit in the 1960s but came back in 1974 with a vengeance, overcoming the dynastic power of the UCLA Bruins in the semifinals by a score of 80-77 in double overtime in what is considered by many to be one of the greatest NCAA basketball games of all time. In the final, the Wolfpack downed the Marquette Golden Eagles in a 76-64 victory to bring a first ever NCAA title home to NC State. The Wolfpack would be back for more again in 1983, squeezing past the Virginia Cavaliers 63-62 and Georgia Bulldogs 67-60 to set up a date with the heavily favored Houston Cougars in the final. What ensued was one of the most famous moments (and upsets) in the history of college basketball. Wolfpack guard Dereck Whittenburg launched a Hail Mary shot in the dying seconds of the game which was going to be an airball until it was caught and dramatically slam-dunked by center Lorenzo Charles. The game ended 64-62 and NC State were once more unlikely NCAA champions. Scenes from that game still feature in TV promotions of NCAA March Madness. Despite a blip in the 1990s, the Wolfpack have experienced one of their habitual resurgences in recent years, qualifying for March Madness 11 times with 3 appearances in the Sweet 16. After a strong 2023, their loyal fans will be hoping for more to come in 2024. 

How can I get cheap tickets to NC State Wolfpack games?

NC Wolfpack games are a huge draw in Raleigh given the team’s history of championships and dramatic upset victories. Such is the popularity of the Wolfpack that they play their home games at the 19,500-seat PNC Arena (home of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes). Despite the size of the venue, important games such as conference deciders, tournament games, and rivalry matchups (see below) have been known to sell out. To get your hands on the cheapest tickets to NC Wolfpack games, check the TicketX listings on this page and use our trusty TicketX seating chart to compare prices and locations. You can buy tickets with the lowest commission fees from TicketX with a single click! 

NC State Wolfpack Rivalries

Without any shadow of a doubt, the NC Wolfpack’s biggest rivals in basketball are the North Carolina Tar Heels. With both teams boasting a proud history and just 25 miles of highway separating their campuses, the rivalry is among one of the most intense in American college sports. Tar Heels players and coaches have a habit of claiming that the Wolfpack aren’t good enough to be their main rivals (they state that Duke is their main rival), a statement which you can imagine doesn’t go down very well in Raleigh!The teams are both also members of the ACC, meaning that they compete directly for conference honors and places in the NCAA March Madness tournament. While the Tar Heels hold a commanding lead in the all-time series (165-80) and have won 6 titles to the Wolfpack’s 2, the Wolfpack has won the last three games in a row. 

Are NC State Wolfpack basketball games exciting?

The atmosphere at PNC Arena is electric for NC Wolfpack basketball games, particularly big games against ACC opponents. If the Tar Heelsare in town, hold on to your hats! Students surround the court in their school red, shouting out “WOLF! PACK!” back and forth as the cheerleaders and marching band egg them on. Fans are also known for traveling away to games against the Tar Heels, only a 45-minute drive away.