Copeland, McNeil combine for 42 as N.C. State tops Virginia Tech 82-73

Quadir Copeland and Paul McNeil Jr. each scored 21 points as N.C. State defeated Virginia Tech 82-73 in Raleigh. N.C. State took a 36-24 lead into the half and held on for a nine-point victory, fueled by Copeland’s playmaking and McNeil’s perimeter shooting.

Copeland finished with 21 points, 10 assists and five steals, going 7 of 11 from the floor and 7 of 10 at the free throw line. He also crossed the 1,000 career points mark early in the second half and recorded a double-double. “It's the fourth time this season Copeland has had 10-plus assists, and his second straight double-double after registering zero before this week. He had 16 assists and 10 rebounds against SMU on Tuesday,” the team report noted.

McNeil was 4 of 7 from three-point range and 7 of 8 from the free throw line on his way to 21 points. Guard Tre Holloman added 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including three 3-pointers, and forward Ven-Allen Lubin contributed 11 points and seven rebounds. Those contributions behind Copeland and McNeil helped N.C. State build and maintain a double-digit cushion at halftime and close out the win.

The performance underscores an uptick in production from key Wolfpack guards. Copeland’s 10-assist night marked his fourth game this season with double-digit assists, and it followed an exceptional outing “on Tuesday” against SMU when he posted 16 assists and 10 rebounds. A November highlight package from the ACC Digital Network shows the pairing has delivered before; that Nov. 8, 2025 clip noted, “Paul McNeil Jr. and Quadir Copeland each scored a team-high 18 points as the NC State Wolfpack blew out the UAB Blazers in the second game of the season.”

For Wake County, the win matters beyond the box score. Strong individual performances by campus standouts keep Reynolds-area conversation lively, support local businesses on game nights, and sustain recruiting narratives that can affect the program’s long-term competitiveness. Copeland’s milestone of 1,000 career points gives students and alumni another storyline to follow while McNeil’s shooting provides a scalable threat that opponents must plan for.

Next up, N.C. State will look to build on this momentum as the season progresses. Wake County readers can expect continued focus on Copeland’s playmaking and McNeil’s outside shooting as defining factors in how the Wolfpack navigate the remainder of the conference slate.