NC State Wolfpack Prepares for Final Non-Conference Match Against William & Mary

The NC State Wolfpack is set to face off against the William & Mary Tribe at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Friday evening. This game marks the Wolfpack’s final encounter before they begin a stretch of matches against major conference opponents. Currently, NC State boasts an unblemished 4-0 record, having recently defeated Colgate 72-49.

NC State’s performance this season has been guided by standout players such as Jayden Taylor, who leads the team with an average of 14.2 points per game. Additionally, Taylor leads the team in steals, averaging 2.5 per game. Dontrez Styles has also been a key contributor, leading the team with an average of 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. Other notable performances have come from Marcus Hill and Ben Middlebrooks, who have each led the team in scoring in different games this season.

The upcoming game will present a challenge, as William & Mary holds a 3-3 record. Their team is spearheaded by Noah Collier, a former Pittsburgh player now leading the Tribe in points (11.5) and rebounds (5.2) per game. Despite playing less than 18 minutes on average, Collier demonstrates remarkable efficiency, shooting 73.5% from the field.

William & Mary features two prolific guards, Kyle Pulliam and Gabe Dorsey, who both surpass 11 points per game. The Tribe is considered a notable opponent due to their proficiency from beyond the arc, ranking high nationally with an average of 34.2 three-point attempts per game and 11.8 successful three-pointers per game.

NC State Coach Kevin Keatts has led his team to dominate non-conference opponents at home, with a staggering 54-2 record since he took the helm. This season, the team has excelled in their defensive strategy, allowing opponents just 22.2% from long range.

The matchup offers NC State an opportunity to capitalize on their strong start, continuing their streak of solid performances before entering a more challenging phase of their schedule. A win would also position the Pack for a 5-0 start, a feat they have not achieved since their 2018-19 season. NC State’s defensive prowess against three-point shooting will be tested against the Tribe’s aggressive offense from distance.

This encounter will also be a historic one, marking the 31st meeting between the two teams, with NC State currently leading the historic series 24-6. The previous meeting on November 29, 2022, saw the Wolfpack triumph over William & Mary with a score of 85-64.