NC State Men's Basketball Falls to SMU 63-57, Extends Losing Streak

NC State men's basketball suffered its fourth consecutive loss, falling to SMU 63-57 at the Lenovo Center, dropping their record to 9-10 overall and 2-6 in the ACC. The Wolfpack's shooting woes were evident, finishing with just 29% from the field and 16.7% from three-point range, which hindered their ability to capitalize on a strong defensive effort that held SMU to 63 points. NC State started the game strong with an 8-0 run but struggled to maintain momentum, particularly during a six-minute stretch without scoring that allowed SMU to take control. Coach Kevin Keatts defended his team's shooting strategy while acknowledging the need to improve efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc. Freshman Paul McNeil emerged as a bright spot, scoring a career-high eight points despite the team's overall struggles. The loss highlighted ongoing challenges for NC State, particularly in converting defensive stops into offensive production.