The last time, NC State (6-3) hosted a top-ranked non-conference opponent, none of its current squad members were even born yet.

When the Wolfpack hosts top-ranked Syracuse (10-0) on Saturday at a sold-out RBC Center at 6:30 p.m., it will be the first time since 1979 that NC State has entertained a non-conference foe holding the top spot in the national polls.

Notre Dame was the last non-conference opponent to venture into Raleigh holding the No. 1 ranking. The Irish were coached by Digger Phelps and headlined by Kelly Tripucka, Orlando Woolridge and Bill Lambier. The unranked Pack, coach by Norm Sloan, was led by Hawkeye Whitney, Clyde Austin, Tony Warren and Tiny Pinder.

The Wolfpack had reached as high as No. 4 in the Associated Press poll earlier that season after capturing the Great Alaska Shootout title. State would fall from the rankings with four consecutive ACC losses, including a one-point loss to North Carolina on a Dudley Bradley’s steal and layup at the buzzer.

Against the Irish, the Pack fought back from a 46-37 deficit midway through the second half and held a brief lead in the final minute. But a pair of Tripucka free throws with six seconds remaining sealed a 53-52 Irish win.

NC State owns a 5-25 mark all time in against teams ranked No. 1.

Saturday’s contest will be broadcast on ESPN2 with Jon Sciambi handling the play-by-play duties and Hubert Davis providing the color commentary.

– News Release