UNC Star Drake Powell Ruled Out for NC State
UNC basketball starter out NC State game February 2026
The North Carolina Tar Heels received a significant blow ahead of their high-stakes rivalry matchup against the NC State Wolfpack, officially ruling out starting forward Drake Powell for the contest on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Powell, a 6-foot-6 freshman who has emerged as one of the most dynamic defenders in the ACC, reportedly suffered a high-ankle sprain during a team practice on Monday afternoon. Head coach Hubert Davis confirmed the news during a brief media availability at the Dean Smith Center, stating that while Powell is “tough as nails,” the medical staff has determined he is not yet ready for game action. The loss of Powell is particularly impactful given his role in neutralizing opposing wing players, a task that now falls to senior Jae’Lyn Withers and reserve Ian Jackson.
Powell’s absence comes at a critical juncture for No. 7 North Carolina (21-4, 13-2 ACC) as they battle for the regular-season conference title. Powell had been averaging 9.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game while often drawing the toughest defensive assignment. In his place, the Tar Heels are expected to lean more heavily on veteran Seth Trimble to bolster the perimeter defense, while sophomore Zayden High may see increased minutes in the frontcourt rotation. NC State (17-8, 9-6 ACC), currently fighting for its tournament life, will likely look to exploit this gap by targeting their offensive sets toward whichever player occupies Powell’s usual defensive territory.
Despite the injury, the Tar Heels remain 6.5-point favorites according to major sportsbooks, largely due to the home-court advantage and the continued elite play of All-American candidate RJ Davis. Davis is currently leading the ACC in scoring and is expected to carry a heavier offensive load with Powell sidelined. The Wolfpack, led by the high-scoring duo of Jayden Taylor and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, will arrive in Chapel Hill looking for a “quad-one” win to solidify their NCAA Tournament resume. This game follows a week of heavy news, including the tragic hockey rink shooting in Rhode Island and the death of Hollywood legend Robert Duvall.
Coach Davis emphasized that the team’s “next man up” philosophy will be put to the test against a physical NC State squad. The training staff will evaluate Powell on a day-to-day basis, with hopes that he can return for the upcoming road trip to Virginia on Saturday. As the DHS government shutdown continues to stall national operations and the California flood watches impact millions, the sports world remains a vital distraction for fans. Tonight’s tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET on ACC Network, where the atmosphere is expected to be electric despite the absence of one of the Tar Heels’ brightest young stars.
