BREAKING: No. 19 Kansas survives in Raleigh, 77-76 in OT, behind Melvin Council Jr.’s 36-point eruption
Kansas walked into a loud, striped arena and walked out with a one-point overtime win. The Jayhawks beat NC State 77-76 on Saturday night, powered by Melvin Council Jr., who torched the Wolfpack with a career-high 36 points and nine threes. I watched Kansas silence the Lenovo Center on the final play, as Darrion Williams’ deep look at the horn missed by inches. Heart-stopper. Season-shaper.
Council Jr. catches fire and carries Kansas
This was Council’s night, and everyone in the building felt it. He hunted space on the wing, rose with confidence, and punished every late closeout. His stroke never wavered, even as the game tightened. He scored from the corners, above the break, and in rhythm out of quick actions. When Kansas needed a shot, he delivered, again and again.
Council’s nine threes stretched NC State’s defense to the breaking point. The Jayhawks did not force much inside, they did not need to. The court belonged to a hot hand, and Kansas trusted it.
Melvin Council Jr. set a career mark with 36 points, including nine made threes, in a true road win.
The turning point and the injury everyone noticed
Kansas led late in regulation, then NC State punched back. The game became a possession grind. Freshman guard Darryn Peterson had been steady with 17 points, five boards, and four assists. Then he felt hamstring tightness and exited in the final minutes. He did not return. The Jayhawks had to finish without his creation and size.
Overtime was a tense exchange. Council hit a dagger three. NC State answered with drives and second chances. In the end, Kansas won the final stop. Williams got free for a clean look from the right wing at the buzzer. It was online, but long. The Kansas bench exhaled. The Wolfpack crowd went from roaring to stunned.
Peterson left late with hamstring tightness. The staff will evaluate him. His status for next week is now the key question.
What this says about Kansas right now
This win matters. Kansas is now 8-3, and this result shows real poise. Close games on the road teach you about a team. Tonight, Kansas kept its shape, trusted its senior shooter, and guarded just enough to survive. That travels in March.
The short-term concern is clear. If Peterson misses time, the rotation shifts. Kansas will need more handling and rim pressure to balance the shooting. Expect more on-ball duty for the wings, and more touches for hot hands like Council. Tre White’s slashing also becomes important. The Jayhawks can spread the floor, but they need paint touches to keep defenses honest.
Key numbers
- Kansas 77, NC State 76, overtime
- Melvin Council Jr.: 36 points, 9 threes
- Darryn Peterson: 17 points, exited late with hamstring tightness
- Quadir Copeland: 19 points for NC State
- Darrion Williams: 17 points, 10 rebounds, last-shot miss
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NC State pushes a blue-blood to the edge
NC State fell to 7-4, but this was a performance that should hold up. The Wolfpack controlled tempo stretches, pounded the glass, and stayed connected defensively until Council broke schemes with pure shot-making. Copeland attacked gaps and drew contact, while Williams owned the boards and stepped into big shots. The final possession was well drawn. It just did not drop.
The Lenovo Center was a scene. The stripe out looked sharp, and the noise never let up. Kansas felt every possession. That is ACC basketball culture in December, heavy and proud. Nights like this shape resumes on both sides. NC State showed it is built to scare, and beat, ranked teams. Finishing will be the lesson.
What it means for rankings and March talk
Kansas banked a high-value road win over a strong home team. That helps keep the Jayhawks inside the top 20 picture, and maybe higher if they stack more wins next week. The bigger headline is the profile. Kansas just proved it can win ugly, and win loud.
NC State takes a tough loss, not a bad one. The effort, the control of the glass, and the shot creation all read like March traits. Clean up late-game details, and the Wolfpack will cash these chances soon.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who won Kansas vs NC State, and what was the score?
A: No. 19 Kansas won 77-76 in overtime on the road in Raleigh.
Q: Who was the star of the game?
A: Melvin Council Jr. scored a career-high 36 points and made nine threes.
Q: What happened to Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson?
A: He left late with hamstring tightness and did not return. He had 17 points.
Q: Who led NC State?
A: Quadir Copeland scored 19, and Darrion Williams had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Williams missed a potential winner at the buzzer.
Q: What are the records now?
A: Kansas improves to 8-3. NC State drops to 7-4.
Conclusion: Kansas stole a road win with nerve and shot-making, and Council Jr. set the building on fire. The Jayhawks showed toughness in a heavy game, and they did it while weathering an injury scare. The road grit is real, and the hamstring watch begins. March teaches nights like this. Tonight, Kansas learned fast and left with the win. 🏀
