Memorable Wolfpack wins over Tar Heels

N.C. State's a 20-point underdog for tonight's game at No. 3 UNC. The Wolfpack has pulled off an upset at Chapel Hill before. It might not happen tonight, so here are five Wolfpack wins, since 1994, to remember. See also our list of memorable North Carolina wins over the Wolfpack.

1) Jan. 23, 2002 @ UNC

"The Red Game"

This game is notable for two reasons:

First and foremost, practically the entire upper deck of the Smith Center was red for N.C. State's 77-59 win.

By this point, UNC fans had stopped caring for a team that would finish 8-20 under Matt Doherty and miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1974.

Second, it was the first time in the post-Valvano Era State didn't need a 3-point barrage to beat UNC. State just had a better team and did what dominant teams do against inferior opponents, run them out of the building.

Truly, a high-water mark for Wolfpack fandom since the '83 title.

2) Feb. 2, 2007 @ N.C. State

"The Blazer Game"

Roy Williams won his first six games against N.C. State (all vs. Herb Sendek) and there was little reason to believe first-year coach Sidney Lowe would reverse that trend when third-ranked UNC (19-1 at the time) visited the RBC Center.

State was just 2-5 in the ACC but with five starters scoring in double-figures, 10 assists from gutsy point guard Engin Atsur and the power of Lowe's big-game red blazer, the Wolfpack pulled off an 83-79 upset.

3) Jan. 4, 1995 @ N.C. State

"The Lakista McCuller Game"

Lakista McCuller's six 3-pointers and 24 points gave N.C. State an 80-70 upset of No. 1 UNC at Reynolds Coliseum.

True to form under Les Robinson (who had a knack for beating UNC and few other teams), State proceeded to lose eight of its next nine ACC games while UNC finished the season in the Final Four.

4) Feb. 21, 1998 @ UNC

"The C.C. Harrison Game"

Clint Cotis Harrison went from Wolfpack hero in the 1997 ACC Tournament, to underachiever the following season. But at No. 1 UNC, Harrison got hot, hitting eight 3-pointers to give N.C. State a surprising 86-72 win and Sendek, in his second season, his first victory over the Heels.

5) Feb. 25, 2003 @ UNC

"Herb's Last Stand"

N.C. State tied an ACC record by making all 22 of its free-throw attempts in a 75-67 overtime win at the Smith Center.

It was Sendek's fourth straight win in the series and last game against Dohery. It also turned out to be his last win against UNC.

Sendek finished 4-2 against Doherty but 0-3 vs. Dean Smith, 1-6 vs. Bill Guthridge and 0-6 vs. Williams.

-- J.P. Giglio