NC State set for tough matchup with Colgate in post-Bates era | Game preview and how to watch

NC State Wolfpack vs Colgate
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Raleigh, NC
TV: ACCN Extra
Line: NC State – 25

Preview of The Colgate Raiders

Colgate is coming in at 1-0 after a 7 point win over Northeastern. They are led by senior guard Nelly Cummings, who dropped 25 in their first game, while hitting 5 of his 6 3-pointers. They also have 6’3 senior guard Jack Ferguson, who was second on the team in scoring last season with 13 points but struggled in the opener this season.

The Raiders were an NCAA Tourny team just a year ago, and they haven’t lost that much from a season ago. They went 14-2 last year and won their final 13 games before losing to #10 Arkansas in the Big Dance.

This team is bringing back 4 of their 5 starters from a season ago and 7 of their top 8 scorers. They also shot an outstanding 50% from 3 last season to lead the conference and rebounded the ball pretty well last season, outrebounding opponents by over 4 per game.

This is a smart and talented basketball team that does all the small things right. NC State is going to be challenged in this one, and if they’re not focused on defense and rebounding, things won’t end up well for them.

Keys For NC State

NC State has a size advantage in this game, but without Manny Bates, State is going to have to make some adjustments.

– Bigs need to show up: Without Bates, it’s up to Dowuona and Gibson to man the middle. They are two guys with almost no experience, going up against a veteran frontcourt. If they don’t protect the rim and rebound, State will lose this basketball game.

– Keep ball handlers out of the lane: THIS. IS. HUGE. The NC State guards have GOT to keep Colgate’s ball handlers out of the lane. That means no taking risks on overplays. Once Colgate gets into the lane they. are so good at finding open shooters, and as we said, this team can shoot it. We got REALLY in-depth on this topic earlier this week. Take a look.

Keatts has built a roster capable of executing his defensive strategy of “Deflections, Deflections, Deflections.” But with Manny Bates likely out, it’s time to suck it up and make an adjustment. Here’s what we propose…https://t.co/JAz3O40EDN

— Pack Insider (@PackInsider) November 11, 2021

– Set the tone, the tempo and SCORE IT: This Colgate team will play fast and they can score. They’re going to live and die by the 3, so NC State needs to not pinch the middle too much, and stay on the shooters. But just as important, they’ll need to set the tone on defense, play their tempo (which may be even faster without Bates in the middle) and they need to knock down shots. It’s as simple as that, but executing with an undermanned team is going to be the challange.