RALEIGH, N.C. _ While N.C. State's latest win just missed getting the Wolfpack into the Associated Press top 25 for the first time since 2013, the 92-72 win over No. 25 Florida State did further strengthen N.C. State's NCAA Tournament hopes.
From computer rankings to quadrant records to bracket projections, N.C. State looks and feels like a team destined to play in the NCAA Tournament this season.
N.C. State (20-9, 10-6 ACC) still hasn't been voted into the top 25 since 2013. It was among others receiving votes in Monday's poll, finishing four spots out of the top 25.
But top-25 rankings have no impact on the NCAA Tournament selection committee, which instead looks at various computer rankings and breaks down each team's wins and losses into four quadrants based on where a game is played and what the opponent's RPI is.
N.C. State is already assured of not playing on the first day of the ACC tournament next week in Brooklyn, N.Y. The win over the Seminoles means N.C. State can't finish among the league's bottom six teams, all of whom will play in the three first-round games next Tuesday.
The Wolfpack is tied for fourth place with Clemson. With wins in its last two games, to finish with a 12-6 record, N.C. State would finish in the top four and earn a double-bye into Thursday's tournament quarterfinals.
Anything else could mean a Wednesday second-round ACC tournament game at Barclays Center.
But enough about the ACC tournament. The main goal is to make the NCAA Tournament. Here's how N.C. State stands less than two weeks until the bracket is unveiled on March 11.
