Maui Game 2: NC State plays Boise St

When: Tuesday November 25 – 2:30 PM ET

Where: Lahaina Civic Center in Maui, Hawaii

TV: ESPN2

Opponent: Boise State Broncos (Mtn West Conference)

Prediction – KenPom (KP) / Bart Torvik (BT): NC State 78-74

/ NC State 78-76

Wolfpack Snapshot:

• Record: 4-1
• Rankings: AP #23, KP #32, BT #39

Wolfpack Player Notes:

• Terrance Arceneaux played 7 minutes in his return to the lineup, missed a couple of shots and called it a day. But seems to be healthy.

Opponent Overview:

Leon Rice enters his 16th season as head coach of Boise State men’s basketball in 2025-26. The winningest coach in program history, Leon Rice has guided the Broncos to five NCAA Tournament appearances and 12 20-win seasons at the helm.

Unfortunately, the Broncos hold the ignominious record of having played the most NCAA games without a win. (0-10). They are hoping this is the season.

This season they bring back a solid core from last season’s 26-11/14-6 team.

• Starter – Andrew Meadow started 35 games last season and delivered 12.6 points per game along with 4.2 rebounds and a 35.2 percent mark from three.
• Starter – Javan Buchanan a senior posted 9.6 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 53.4 percent from the field — earning MWC Sixth Man of the Year honors.
• Starter – RJ Keene averaged 1.8 ppg and 2 rebounds and started 11 games
• Julian Bowie — averaged 3.9 points and 1.5 assists in two starts
• Pearson Carmichael averaged 6.9 points and 2.5 rebounds last year

Key Transfers:

• Starter – Dylan Andrews — a senior guard (6’3, 180 lbs) who comes from UCLA.
• Starter – Drew Fielder — a 6’11, 225 lbs junior forward/center from Georgetown

The media voted BSU to finish 3^rd in the Mountain West this season.

Team Statistical Comparison

Their Season So Far:

• Record: 4-2
• Rankings: KP #57, BT #50

Games:

• Hawaii Pacific 78-79 (D2) – Opening night against a D2 team. HP led most of the game and had a 7-point lead with 3 minutes left. Boise St closed to one but could not get the basket to complete the comeback.
• Utah Valley 101-77 (KP # 126) – Blowout, up 11 at the half, win by 24.
• UT Rio Grande Valley 85-65 (KP #201) – Blowout, up 12 at the half, win by 20.
• Montana St 62-58 (KP # 191) –This one was tight all the way with BSU taking the lead with 70 seconds left and holding on for the win.
• Wichita St 62-59 (KP # 91) – A game of runs, but neither could put the other away. Wichita St missed a 3PT to send it to OT.
• USC 67-70 (KP # 28) – This was tight all the way, USC had a 2-point lead at the half and held on to win by 3.

Player Notes

• Andrew Meadow was voted to the preseason All Mountain West team

Probable Starters

Things To Watch For:

1. Block out / rebound – The Broncos out rebounded the taller USC by 5, all offensive rebounds.
2. Protect the paint – BSU had 40 points in the paint against USC. The same as Seton Hall had against the Wolfpack.
3. Three-point shooting – Boise St only hit 5 (20%) against USC, but average 31.7% on the season. SHU got off 22 against the Pack and hit 32%. (VCU took 42).
4. Improved Defense – NC State’s defense has been suspect all season and was badly exposed against Seton Hall. Allowing a team to shoot 52% is a recipe for disaster.
5. Ven Lubin avoided foul trouble and played for 31 minutes and missed a double-double by one board. Very positive trend.
6. Musa Sagnia – Will his injury prevent him playing tomorrow? Every remaining team in the tournament is bigger than the Pack. We need his size and defense at the rim. He’s become a very important part of the team. If not, look for Scottie Eubube.
7. Williams / McNeil – I’m sure Seton Hall felt good about holding them to a collective 21 pts and 9 rebounds. The Wolfpack will need more from them.

Prediction:

In Will Wade we trust! NC State wins a tough one, 80-69. Go Pack!