RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State men’s basketball team, boasting a perfect 3-0 record, is gearing up for a bustling week at home, kicking things off with a matchup against Colgate, who currently stands at 1-2. This anticipated game will take place at the Lenovo Center on Monday night.
This clash with the Raiders marks the first of two home games for the Pack this week, as they prepare for their first road games of the season next week, a significant test for the developing team.
Fans can expect tipoff at 7 p.m., with the action broadcast on the ACC Network featuring the play-by-play commentary from Wes Durham and Cory Alexander. Additionally, NC State supporters can tune into the Wolfpack Sports Network, where Matt Chazanow and Tony Haynes will provide live coverage of the game.
Pack Tracks
– NC State advanced to a 3-0 record after an impressive 82-70 victory against Coastal Carolina on Wednesday night, demonstrating strong teamwork and strategy. The Pack remains undefeated, showcasing their growth and resilience.
– This marks the fifth consecutive season that NC State has started 3-0 and highlights the effectiveness of head coach Kevin Keatts, who has achieved this in seven of his eight seasons at the helm.
– Impressively, NC State never trailed in their recent game against Coastal Carolina, marking their second wire-to-wire win this season. In these first three games, the Pack’s largest deficit was merely one point, leading for an astonishing 116 minutes and 40 seconds of the possible 120 minutes.
– For the second game in a row, standout player Jayden Taylor took the lead in scoring, finishing with an exceptional 22 points, shooting 53% from the field while also successfully converting all six of his attempts from the free-throw line. Taylor’s stellar play has positioned him as the team leader, averaging 16.3 points per game.
– In addition to Taylor’s performance, the Pack showcased depth with contributions from Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (13), Trey Parker (13), and Dontrez Styles (10). So far this season, NC State has had an impressive eight different players score in double figures, with at least four achieving this feat in every game. As they head into Monday’s matchup against Colgate, seven players on the roster are averaging 7.7 points or more per game.
– Newly arrived player Brandon Huntley-Hatfield is maintaining a remarkable streak, being the only NC State player to score in double figures in each of the three games this season. With an impressive shooting percentage of 66.7%, Huntley-Hatfield is also leading the team in several key statistics, averaging 12.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and leading in free throws made (13) and attempted (17).
– This season, NC State has fostered an impressive collaborative playing style, averaging 17.0 assists per game through their first three contests. Michael O’Connell stands out as the team leader with 16 assists, boasting an impressive 8.0 assist-to-turnover ratio, reflecting the team’s efficiency and discipline.
Monday Storylines
– In recent seasons, including the initial games of this season, NC State has established a strong home-court presence, compiling a commendable 30-7 (.811) record, with a flawless 16-0 mark against non-conference teams playing at home.
– Under the leadership of head coach Kevin Keatts, NC State has excelled at home, achieving a dominant 53-2 (.964) record against non-conference opponents during regular season play.
– This season, the Pack has displayed remarkable efficiency in their two-point shooting, boasting a striking 64% accuracy (80-of-125) in their first three games. They have dominated the paint, scoring an impressive 144 points, and averaging an impressive 48.0 points in the paint per game.
– Interestingly, NC State did not attempt a single three-point shot in their recent victory against Coastal Carolina. This scenario has occurred only twice in the 2024 calendar year, with the last time being a 0-8 performance against Wake Forest. The last such occurrence prior to these two games dates back to March 1989, over 1,100 games ago, showcasing an unexpected trend for the Pack. Remarkably, NC State has remained undefeated in these rare circumstances since March 1989.
– NC State has proven to be a challenging opponent defensively, forcing their three opponents into an average of 17 turnovers per game. In an impressive defensive feat, the combined total of turnovers (51) forced by the Pack is nearly double the total assists (26) made by their opponents. In contrast, Colgate has maintained a stable offense, giving away the ball only 23 times in three games (7.7 per game) while generating almost double the number of assists (42) compared to turnovers, ranking them 10th in the NCAA in this category.
NC State Series with Colgate
– The upcoming game will mark only the second all-time meeting between NC State and Colgate, indicating the rarity and significance of this matchup.
– Their last encounter was on November 13, 2021, when the Pack secured a narrow 77-74 victory, showcasing the competitiveness between both programs.
– In that previous game, NC State held their ground remarkably, never trailing by more than two points and maintaining the lead for over 32 minutes. The Raiders remained persistent, not allowing the Pack to pull away, with NC State managing to hold only a four-point buffer during the final 15 minutes.
– Colgate didn’t seize their initial lead until 13:03 remaining in the contest, resulting in an exhilarating back-and-forth encounter where the lead changed hands 12 times thereafter.
– NC State managed to score four consecutive points to secure a 74-71 edge with less than 45 seconds left, but Colgate quickly responded with a three-pointer to tie the game at 74 with just eight seconds remaining. In a thrilling conclusion, Dereon Seabron clinched the victory for NC State with a decisive three-point play in the final two seconds, sealing an unforgettable win for the Pack.
– Jeff Woodward from Colgate and Breon Pass from NC State both participated in that memorable game on November 13, 2021, with Woodward contributing 14 points while Pass had a brief appearance, logging eight minutes with one assist.
How has Coach Kevin Keatts influenced the team’s strategy and player development this year?
### Interview with NC State Men’s Basketball Analyst, Jordan Mitchell
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Jordan. NC State has had a fantastic start this season, going 3-0. What do you think has contributed to their early success?
**Jordan Mitchell:** Thank you for having me! Their early success can really be attributed to strong teamwork and execution on both ends of the floor. The players have shown remarkable chemistry, particularly with their ball movement, averaging 17 assists per game. Additionally, they’ve excelled in the paint, averaging 48 points per game, which speaks volumes about their offensive efficiency.
**Editor:** We’ve seen standout performances from players like Jayden Taylor and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield. How important are they to the team’s success?
**Jordan Mitchell:** They are crucial. Jayden Taylor has been a consistent scorer, and his ability to shoot efficiently while drawing fouls makes him a key player. Brandon Huntley-Hatfield’s presence adds depth to the lineup, especially since he’s been able to score in double figures consistently. Their contributions, alongside a balanced scoring attack from multiple players, enable the team to be adaptable and hard to defend against.
**Editor:** The matchup against Colgate is coming up. What should fans expect from that game?
**Jordan Mitchell:** Fans can expect an exciting game. Colgate may have a 1-2 record, but they’ll be no pushovers. NC State has established a strong home-court presence, which gives them an advantage, but maintaining that momentum is key. The Pack will need to stay disciplined on defense and continue forcing turnovers, as they’ve done so far this season.
**Editor:** What do you think the impact of head coach Kevin Keatts has been on this year’s squad?
**Jordan Mitchell:** Coach Keatts has done an incredible job in fostering an environment of growth and resilience. This is the fifth season in a row that he’s led the team to a 3-0 start, which speaks to his effectiveness in developing players and game strategy. His emphasis on defensive excellence and a collaborative offensive approach has empowered these young athletes significantly.
**Editor:** There’s an interesting stat about NC State not attempting a single three-point shot in their last game against Coastal Carolina. What should we make of that?
**Jordan Mitchell:** That was indeed surprising! It’s rare for any modern team, especially under Coach Keatts, whose teams have historically relied on shooting from beyond the arc. However, their ability to dominate in the paint shows they can adapt. It indicates their emphasis on taking what the defense gives them rather than forcing outside shots, which is an encouraging sign of their evolving game plan.
**Editor:** Thank you, Jordan, for your insights. We’re looking forward to the game on Monday night!
**Jordan Mitchell:** My pleasure! It’s going to be an exciting week for NC State basketball. Let’s see if they can keep this winning streak alive!
