The NC State men’s basketball team is set to compete against Texas Southern in their annual Heritage Game, scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. The game will take place at Reynolds Coliseum, the team’s former home arena.
Game Preview: Texas Southern vs. NC State
This matchup is significant for NC State, marking their return to Reynolds Coliseum, where they historically performed well. The Wolfpack boasts a remarkable 26-2 record at this venue since the 1999-2000 season.
Recent Performance of NC State
In their last outing, NC State suffered a close defeat against 19th-ranked Kansas, losing 77-76 in overtime. Despite struggling with a field goal percentage of 37.8% and three-point shooting at 26.5%, the team had opportunities to take the lead late in the game.
- Darrion Williams and Ven-Allen Lubin both posted double-doubles against Kansas, with 17/10 and 16/11 points/rebounds, respectively.
- Ven-Allen Lubin has scored in double figures for eight consecutive games and leads the ACC with a field goal percentage of 67.0%.
- Quadir Copeland led the Pack with 19 points, averaging 18.6 points over his last five games.
NC State’s Season Statistics
Currently, NC State ranks highly in several offensive categories within the ACC:
- 3rd in scoring average (87.6 points per game)
- 4th in field goal percentage (48.8%)
- 3rd in three-point shooting (38.5%)
- 4th in free throw shooting (76.1%)
The team has also managed to keep turnovers low, averaging 9.9 per game, ranking 30th nationally.
Historical Context
This match will be the second all-time encounter between NC State and Texas Southern. Their last meeting was on November 21, 2021, when NC State triumphed 65-57. Texas Southern exhibited a strong first half but could not maintain the lead as NC State pulled ahead.
Players to Watch
Key players for NC State include:
- Ven-Allen Lubin: Averaging 17.4 points over the last five games with efficient scoring in the second half.
- Quadir Copeland: Provides offensive depth and assists, leading the team in scoring for multiple games.
As the season progresses, NC State looks to enhance their performance, especially on their home court. Fans can catch the game live on ACC Network Extra or through the Wolfpack Sports Network, featuring commentary from Matt Chazanow and Chucky Brown.
Looking Ahead
The Wolfpack aims to build on their previous encounters and assert their dominance in the Heritage Game, strengthening their position as a contender this season.
