March 12, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Malik Thomas (1) defending against NC State Wolfpack guard Tre Holloman (5) during the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Image CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Malik Thomas provided a crucial late-game play and Thijs De Ridder had 15 points to help No. 10 Virginia win 81-74 over North Carolina State in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament on Thursday afternoon, finishing with 16 points.
Reserve Zachary White scored 13 points and Sam Lewis delivered all 12 of his points on 3-pointers for the second-seeded Cavaliers (28-4), who meet the winner of Louisville-Miami in the first semifinal Friday night. Virginia center Ugonna Onyenso’s eight blocked shots were the second most in a game in league tournament history.
Virginia has beaten NC State in three matchups this season, but this was by far the closest meeting.
Paul McNeil Jr. made six 3-pointers while scoring 26 points for seventh-seeded NC State (20-13). Ven-Allen Lubin had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Matt Able came off the bench to score 12 points.
The Wolfpack, who landed safely within most projections for the NCAA Tournament field, have lost seven of their last nine games. N.C. State extended its tournament winning streak to six games after defeating Pitt in the second round on Wednesday. After winning five games in the 2024 competition, they failed to qualify last year.
NC State used 21-for-24 free throw shooting to outscore Virginia by 10 points at the foul line.
A 9-0 run gave the Cavaliers a 55-45 lead, eventually reaching a 12-point margin.
The Wolfpack was up 68-61 with more than five minutes to play. McNeil hit a 3-pointer to cut the gap to 70-64, and Thomas answered with a jumper for the Cavaliers.
Quadir Copeland’s 3-point play at 1:24 gave the Wolfpack a chance, but De Ridder’s bucket drive pushed Virginia to a 76-69 advantage with 1:11 remaining.
McNeil’s three hits made it 78-74 with 27 seconds left, followed by a steal, but NC State missed two shots in the ensuing offense.
NC State fared much better than its initial meeting with Virginia.
Virginia led 33-32 at halftime despite going the first half without a second chance.
Virginia beat NC State for the fourth time in 19 ACC Tournament meetings.
–Bob Sutton, Field Level Media
