NC State Prepares to Face Colgate Raiders in Fourth Game of the Season

RALEIGH, N.C. — As the North Carolina State University‘s men’s basketball team gears up for its fourth game of the season, they will face the Colgate Raiders at the Lenovo Center on November 18th, at 7:00 PM ET. The game, set to be broadcast on the ACC Network, marks another opportunity for the Wolfpack to extend its undefeated start.

NC State enters the game with three consecutive victories, having secured wins over SC Upstate among others. This season’s roster features significant changes, including seven new players joining through the transfer portal and high school recruits. However, key players such as Jayden Taylor, who averages a team-high of 16.3 points per game, remain from last season’s Final Four run.

Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, a newcomer, has made a notable impact, averaging 12.3 points per game and maintaining a shooting accuracy of 66.7 percent. Moreover, he leads the team in rebounding with an average of 4.7 per game. On the playmaking side, Michael O'Connell is the top distributor with 5.3 assists per game.

Colgate, on the other hand, comes with a record of 1-2. The team has undergone transitions with the departure of key players from last season, including Braeden Smith, Keegan Records, and Ryan Moffatt. Under the guidance of 14th-year head coach Matt Langel, the Raiders are picked to win the Patriot League but have struggled early this season, suffering narrow losses against Drexel and Syracuse.

The Raiders’ attack is led by guard Jalen Cox, averaging 13.3 points per game, supported by forward Jeff Woodward and guard Nicolas Louis-Jacques, both contributing to Colgate’s balanced scoring approach. The team reflects a youthful energy, comprising a significant portion of freshmen and sophomores.

NC State’s head coach Kevin Keatts, who has seen his team remain undefeated in its first three games, looks to continue the trend against Colgate. The Wolfpack boasts a balanced scoring effort, with significant contributions from players like Trey Parker and Dontrez Styles, ensuring multiple players reaching double figures in points each game.

The meeting will be just the second encounter between these two teams, the first being a close contest in 2021 which NC State won 77-74. As both teams take the court, fans can expect a competitive matchup filled with strategic plays and athletic showcases.

The Wolfpack is favored by 12.5 points with an over/under set at 149.5. As NC State sets its sights on keeping its streak alive, all eyes will be on the players to see how they execute against a determined Raiders squad.