Pack Hosts UNC Asheville at Home This Saturday

On Saturday, November 4, 2023, the NC State men’s basketball team will host UNC Asheville at home. This match is a significant event as it marks the return of the Pack to their own court after a hiatus of 19 days without a home game. The game is set to start at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on The CW. Fans can also tune in to the Wolfpack Sports Network for live commentary.

Recent Performance of NC State

NC State recently faced 20th-ranked Auburn in the ACC/SEC Challenge, where they suffered an 83-73 defeat. During this encounter, Auburn achieved impressive shooting stats, including 59.1% from the field and 54.5% from beyond the arc. In contrast, NC State struggled with a season-low shooting performance, hitting only 40.6% of their attempts.

• NC State’s scoring average stands at 91 points per game, ranking second in the ACC.
• The team ranks third in field goal percentage at 50.2% and first in three-point percentage at 41%.
• Despite the recent loss, the Pack forced Auburn into 20 turnovers, a season-high.

Standout Players

Quadir Copeland was a standout, leading NC State with 22 points against Auburn. He previously scored a career-high 28 points in the Maui Invitational, marking a historic achievement—his first two consecutive games scoring over 20 points. In the last two games, he has averaged 25 points per game on an impressive shooting percentage of 69.2%.

Another notable performance came from Tre Holloman, who contributed 16 points with a season-high four three-pointers. He currently leads the ACC in three-point shooting efficiency among players averaging 1.5 or more attempts per game. Additionally, Ven-Allen Lubin scored 12 points against Auburn, marking his fifth consecutive double-digit game.

Upcoming Match Expectations

The matchup against UNC Asheville will be the 20th meeting between the two teams. Historically, NC State has dominated this series, winning all previous 19 encounters. The last meeting occurred on November 13, 2018, when NC State triumphed with a score of 100-47.

Key Highlights

• NC State’s highest recorded points against UNC Asheville was 120 on December 20, 1995.
• Rodney Monroe holds the record for the most three-pointers in a single game against UNC Asheville with nine baskets made on December 21, 1989.
• The current roster of NC State includes players like Quadir Copeland and Ven-Allen Lubin who are among the top shooters in the ACC.

Coach Insights

Head coaches Will Wade and Mike Morrell share a history, having previously worked as assistant coaches together at VCU, where they achieved considerable success. This season, NC State has faced one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the ACC, which could play a crucial role in their growth and development going forward.

As NC State prepares for their home game against UNC Asheville, anticipation builds for what promises to be an exciting matchup. With the team looking to bounce back from recent challenges, fans can expect an intense showing from the Wolfpack.