When NC State surprised Virginia at Charlottesville the other night, Kevin Keatts’ squad served notice it was a contender for a place in the ACC’s front rank. Not only was it the first time in the last nine tries the Wolfpack emerged victorious from a meeting with powerful UVa, it was their first successful visit to John Paul Jones Arena since the on-campus facility opened during the 2007 season.
Fact is, the Pack’s emergence (14-5, 5-3) has been quiet to this point, overshadowed by its soft nonconference schedule as well as the struggles of the league’s uber-powers.
UNC hovers around .