WOLFERETTI: 5 Things I’m going to be looking for in tonight’s game vs. UAB

This is NC State’s first real test.

I mean, sure, they played Central earlier this week, but that was kind of a warm-up game. Central didn’t have anywhere close to the personnel needed to compete with the Pack. In fact, their coach said they would have needed to be in the gym 10 times a day to even come close to having the strength needed to compete with the Wolfpack’s physicality.

Tonight will be different. Will Wade compared UAB to a lower-level ACC opponent and agreed that this would be a good test to see where his team really is.

UAB recently put on a clinic against Mississippi Valley State, slaughtering them by 51.

Here are the 5 things I’m going to be focusing on tonight…

1) How will Ven-Allen Lubin and Musa Sagnia fare against the UAB bigs.
Now, UAB’s bigs aren’t all that big. They’re 6’8, 6’8, and 6’7, but they are going to be more physical than Central’s bigs. Their 3 main front-court guys are Rivera, Lindsay-Martin, and Chatman. The 3 of them went for 25 points and 18 rebounds in the opener. Meanwhile, Central’s big man, Khourey Carvey actually did a little damage to the Pack. He went for 19 points and 8 rebounds. Lubin is super physical, but not really built to be a rim protector. Meanwhile, Sagnia is still a little raw and needs a few more outings to really acclimate to the American game. These matchups are what I’m most interested in.

2) Can NC State really fill it up like that from 3? 
Early on, I figured the biggest weakness of this team would be the 3-point shooting. Well, couldn’t have been more wrong in Game 1. The Pack went out and shot near 50%, tying a school record for most 3s made in a single game. Obviously, that’s not sustainable, but let’s see if they can still be effective from long range. If McNeil and Holloman are hitting like they were, then yea, we’ll be fine.

3) Eyes on Matt Able, Musa Sagnia, and Terrance Arceneaux
Matt Able looked a little sped up in the first half, but turned it on in the 2nd half. Meanwhile, despite fouling out, Sagnia had an impressive 4 points, 4 boards, 4 steals and 3 assists in just 15 minutes. Arceneaux was the one guy who kind of struggled to get it going against Central. I’ll be watching all 3 of these guys tonight, because if you can get that 2nd half Able, a refined Sagnia and simply baseline Arceneaux, this team is going to be TOUGH to beat.

4) Steadiness from Copeland, Holloman, and Williams. 
These guys make the team go, and they all played out of their minds on Monday night. I’m not expecting better games from any of them, but I’m hoping to see sustained output in terms of efficiency and leadership. These guys are your motors for the 2025/26 Wolfpack.

5) What is the atmosphere like at the Lenovo? 
Look, the Red Reckoning is here. Wade has the is town in a frenzy and the Pack just put together one of their most dominating outings in my lifetime, but it’s Friday night at 9pm against UAB. That’s a tough sell for anyone with a family, kids or plans on Saturday morning. I’ll be interested to see how it feels in there tonight. We’ll be there to report on it.