NC State released their 2024-25 Schedule for Women’s Basketball this evening.

Notes

• Ally Tipoff: South Carolina in Charlotte. The Gamecocks will likely be preseason #1
• Pink Flamingo Championship: Southern and LSU/Washington in the Bahamas.
• ACC/SEC Challenge: Ole Miss at Home.
• ACC Opener: Louisville in the Jimmy V Women’s Classic
• Home-and-Away Opponent: Wake Forest.

CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein is making his preseason rounds to get a first look at some NCAA teams. One of those stops was Raleigh, to check out Kevin Keatts’ Wolfpack, fresh off an ACC Title and Final Four run.

Here is his recap…

ROTHSTEIN REACTION: NC STATE. pic.twitter.com/7fGm4Yk0JC

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 23, 2024

Then he gets to Tweeting some of his takeaways and predictions…

NC State is much different than last season’s team that reached the Final Four. Better defensively. And can also play more 5-out on offense. 9-10 deep.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 23, 2024

He thinks they are deeper and better defensively this year, which on paper is true. However, we’ve thought this about many of Keatts’ teams and as the season has wore on, they ended up being whittled down to a main 7 guys and sketchy at best on the defense end.

Now, I’m certainly not saying that is going to happen this season, just that I’d feel a little nervous making this claim. At the same time, you have Jayden Taylor coming back who is an absolute ball hawk. You lose Casey Morsell who was an elite defender, but you gain Mike James (a big bodied, athletic guard) and the big addition, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield in the paint. I’ve always thought the gambling, deflection-counting style of defense is great if you have a rim protector in the middle. Now those gambles won’t hurt as much, as Huntley-Hatfield is a thick, strong, athletic 6’10” big man.

Speaking of Jayden Tayler…

Jayden Taylor shined on offense today for NC State. Made four three-point shots at one point in practice. Looks primed to be the Wolfpack’s go-to guy in 2024-25.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 23, 2024

I like this take. I think Taylor showed spurts of being a high-end scorer last season. He was a streaky shooter with good form, so I do think eventually he’s going to find consistently there. He’s also very physical on the drive and athletic at the rim and can score so many different ways. He did struggle to create for himself off the dribble against athletic defenders, so we’ll see if he’s able to overcome that hurdle this season.

Paul McNeil. Buy Stock Now. https://t.co/867L3d2ViI

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 23, 2024

Rothstein also really encouraged the nation to buy stock in 6’5″ freshman, Paul McNeil. I’ve seen a little bit of McNeil in practice and it was enough to know that this guy is going to be a very good scorer. He’s lanky and thinner than you might want, but he’s got range well beyond the 3 point arc and also has a great feel for his midrange game. With his height and scorer’s mentality, he’s going to be a factor on this years team.

Under-The-Radar Transfer: NC State’s Marcus Hill. Put up big time offensive numbers at Bowling Green. Shifty. Sets the table. Remember The Name.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 23, 2024

This was a nice surprise to see him call out Hill. I think most of Wolfpack nation is wondering about him. He’s 6’4″, so he’s got size, but he spends a lot of his time in the paint (via dribble drives) and is really crafty when he gets in there. However, Bowling Green is in the Mid-American Conference, and carving up those teams is a little different than what he’ll find in the ACC. The question everyone has is, will it translate? If it does, Hill is going to be an amazing piece for the Pack.

Early prediction on NC State’s 2024-25 starting five:

Michael O’Connell, Jayden Taylor, Marcus Hill, Dontrez Styles, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 23, 2024

Rothstein then gives his prediction on the starting 5.

It’s interesting to me that Hill is in there over James, as I figured a guy that went 12pts/5rebs last year at Louisville would crack NC State’s starting lineup, but if Hill’s game is really going to translate, then a guy that shifty and disruptive might give you a little better offensive flow.

You also see Styles in there over Middlebrooks, which makes sense. Middlebrooks is there if you need to go big at 4 or if you need to spell BHH. I think Big Ben will also see his share of starts in more physical battles. Styles gives you that stretch 4. I thik it will also be interesting to see how Ismaël Diouf’s game translates from Canada. He’s got the size and versatility to be a factor in the ACC. The question will be how will he deal with ACC physicality.

All in all, Pack fans should be excited about the takeaways Rothstein had coming out of the Wolfpack practice.

Yesterday, it was announced that tipoff between NC State and Texas in the Men’s Basketball ACC/SEC Challenge will be at 9:15pm, and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

Update the 📅

9:15 PM tip on ESPN2 at the @LenovoCenter for the Pack and the Longhorns

We might announce another home Saturday game in a few hours 👀 https://t.co/dz2Eo9JGIk

— NC State Men’s Basketball (@PackMensBball) September 23, 2024

This will mark the 5th time that the Wolfpack and the Longhorns play one another. The series is split down the middle currently, with each team winning 2 games each.

The Longhorns could be right on the edge of being a Preseason Top-25 heading this season.

NC State’s 2024-25 Non-Conference Strength of Schedule is shaking out to be pretty impressive. The Wolfpack will be playing in the Rady Children’s Invitational Tournament, which will feature Purdue, BYU and Ole Miss. Purdue was the National Runner-Up last year, and will likely be a Preseason Top-15 team. Ole Miss is ranked in the Top-25 in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Preseason Top-25.

NC State will be also be playing at Kansas next season, and the Jayhawks are likely going to the Preseason #1 team.

NC State’s Men’s Basketball team will open ACC play against Florida State on Saturday, December 7th, at 4pm. The game will be played in PNC Arena, and will be televised on ESPNU.

NC State is 32-31 all-time against FSU, but they have lost 8 of the last 10 against the Seminoles. In their last matchup, the Wolfpack lost 83-90 on the road on February 27th. NC State boasts an 18-12 home record against FSU, but the series is even over the last 6 games in the Lenovo Center (formerly known as PNC Arena).