RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State will welcome UAB to teh Lenovo Center Friday night for a matchup between two teams boasting dominant season-opening victories. The Wolfpack defeated NC Central 114-66 on Monday, while the Blazers topped Mississippi Valley State 106-55, combining for a total victory margin of 98 points.
NC State’s win was fueled by 57.8 percent shooting and a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio (27 assists vs. 9 turnovers). UAB countered with stifling defence, holding their opponent to 29.1 percent shooting and forcing 26 turnovers.
Both programs underwent significant roster overhauls. NC State added 13 new players – nine via the transfer portal, two international players, and two freshmen – and returns only sophomore Paul McNeil, Jr.,and walk-on jordan Snell from last season. UAB brought in six DI transfers, four Junior College transfers, and two freshmen, retaining only walk-on Joey Kahn.
Notably, NC State’s Quadir Copeland and UAB’s Chance Westry were teammates at Syracuse during the 2023-24 season. Copeland averaged 9.6 points per game for the Orange, while Westry was sidelined the entire season due to a preseason injury.
Head Coach Will Wade’s emphasis on aggressive defense is already evident for the Wolfpack, who recorded 13 steals in their opener. Freshman Musa Sagnia led the team with four steals, while Tre Holloman added three. Wade’s previous teams have consistently excelled in steals – his McNeese squads led the Southland Conference in steals for two consecutive years (ranking 20th nationally in 2024-25 and 5th in 2023-24), and his 2021-22 LSU team led the nation, averaging 11 steals per game.
UAB holds a 1-0 advantage in the all-time series, having defeated NC State 72-52 in Birmingham on March 20, 2010, during the second round of the NIT. The Blazers never trailed in that contest, jumping to a 26-7 lead. Dennis Horner led NC State with 23 points and eight rebounds in the loss.
NC State boasts a 51-12 all-time record against current members of the American Athletic Conference.
