The 2024‑25 UNC basketball season closed with a disappointing exit from the NCAA Tournament, but the following year promises a fresh burst of tension as former center Ven-Allen Lubin rejoins the rival Wolfpack.
Lubin transferred from Chapel Hill to Raleigh after a single season at UNC, a move triggered by an NCAA injunction that forced him to seek a new destination. At NC State he quickly became a cornerstone, averaging 13.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game while starting every one of the 34 contests he played.
The rivalry got a flashpoint in February when NC State routed UNC 82‑58, a victory highlighted by Lubin’s flamboyant bedazzled belt that mocked UNC guard Caleb Wilson. The spectacle seemed to spark a losing streak for the Wolfpack, adding a narrative edge to the matchup.
Back at UNC, the frontcourt was reshaped with the arrivals of Cameron Fens and Sayon Keita, while Jalen Washington found himself relegated to the bench due to inconsistent performances, leaving the team to lean on fresh talent such as Drake Powell and Ian Jackson.
A Rivalry Rekindled
The two schools are scheduled to meet in a non‑conference game this December, a contest that will be followed by a home visit from NC State in 2027, ensuring the rivalry remains a focal point of the early season schedule.
Fans and analysts alike are watching closely, aware that Lubin’s presence could tilt the balance and that the outcome may reverberate through both programs’ recruiting narratives and conference positioning.