Wolfpack Poised for Thrilling Season Ahead

The NC State men's basketball team is gearing up for an electrifying 2024-25 season, fresh off an impressive run to the Final Four. With a challenging non-conference schedule and the added intrigue of conference realignment, the Wolfpack is set to face a multitude of tests as they aim to build on their recent success and cement their place among the elite programs in college basketball.

Wolfpack Primed for Breakout Season After Final Four Appearance

Navigating a Daunting Non-Conference Slate

NC State's non-conference schedule is shaping up to be one of the toughest in recent memory, providing the team with ample opportunities to showcase their talent and prepare for the rigors of ACC play. The Wolfpack will face a total of 11 non-conference opponents, including several highly-ranked foes that will challenge them from the outset.The season opener against South Carolina Upstate on November 4th will kick off a five-game homestand at the newly renamed Lenovo Center, giving the team a chance to settle in and build momentum before facing their first major test. On November 28th, the Wolfpack will travel to San Diego to take on the 14th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers in the Rady's Children Invitational, seeking to avenge their Final Four loss to the Boilermakers.The Wolfpack will then return home to face the 19th-ranked Texas Longhorns in the ACC/SEC Challenge, a matchup that promises to be an early-season barometer for both teams. December 10th will see the Wolfpack return to the hallowed Reynolds Coliseum to take on Coppin State in their annual heritage game, honoring the teams of the past while also celebrating the present.The non-conference schedule culminates with a trip to Lawrence, Kansas, where the Wolfpack will face the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks in one of the most challenging environments in college basketball. This clash will undoubtedly test the Wolfpack's mettle and serve as a valuable learning experience as they prepare for the rigors of ACC play.

Embracing the Changing Landscape of the ACC

The upcoming season will also see the Wolfpack navigating the effects of conference realignment, as the ACC welcomes three new members: California, SMU, and Stanford. This influx of new opponents will provide the Wolfpack with a fresh set of challenges, as they look to embrace the changing landscape of college athletics.The Wolfpack will face each of the new ACC teams, starting with a home matchup against California and SMU in late January. They will then travel to California to take on the Golden Bears on February 5th, before heading to Palo Alto to face the Stanford Cardinal on February 8th. While the expectations for the new additions to the conference may not be particularly high, the Wolfpack will still need to approach these games with the same level of intensity and focus as they do against their traditional ACC rivals.

Renewing Rivalries and Facing Familiar Foes

In addition to the new faces in the ACC, the Wolfpack will also face off against their long-standing Tobacco Road rivals, including a pair of matchups with both North Carolina and Duke. The Wolfpack will look to build on their success against the Tar Heels, having defeated them in the ACC Championship last season, and will host them at home on January 11th before traveling to the Dean Dome on February 19th.The Wolfpack's clash with the 7th-ranked Duke Blue Devils, who boast the best recruiting class in the country, will take place on January 27th at Cameron Indoor Stadium, providing another stern test for the Wolfpack. Closer to home, the Wolfpack will also face off against Wake Forest, with a home-and-home series on January 4th and February 22nd.As the Wolfpack rounds out their regular-season schedule, they will face a challenging stretch of games, including a trip to Syracuse, where they will look to break a recent skid against the Orange. The Wolfpack will then host Pittsburgh on Senior Night before traveling to Coral Gables to take on the Miami Hurricanes, who will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing season.With a mix of familiar foes and new challenges, the Wolfpack's 2024-25 season promises to be one filled with excitement, drama, and the potential for the team to cement their status as a true powerhouse in the ever-evolving landscape of college basketball.