NC State Basketball Teams Set To Launch New Chapter With Back-to-Back Exhibition Games

A basketball spectacle awaits at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro on Oct. 26. NC State's squads will face off against former ACC foes in a thrilling double-header.

At 2 p.m., the women's team matches up with Maryland. The men take the floor at 4:30 p.m. against South Carolina. Fans buzz with anticipation to witness new men's coach Will Wade's fresh lineup.

The women's squad hits the hardwood for their second preseason test, following an earlier scheduled clash with High Point at Reynolds Coliseum on Oct. 18.

These matchups stir memories of old ACC battles. The Pack women stand tall in their rivalry with Maryland, holding a 45-36 advantage. Since Maryland's ACC exit in 2014, the teams crossed paths just once: a Wolfpack victory on neutral ground last November.

On the men's side, NC State holds a commanding 49-28 record against South Carolina. After the Gamecocks split from the ACC in 1971, the teams met just five times. The Pack claimed four wins, including a nail-biting 63-61 triumph in Orlando back in 2007.

Wade brings fresh energy after steering McNeese State to consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. His roster transformation includes nine transfers, signaling a bold new direction.

South Carolina stumbled through last season with a 12-19 mark and just two SEC wins. They've rebuilt from scratch, welcoming six transfers and five first-year players to the mix.

Both NC State teams face stiff tests ahead. The men will battle powerhouses Kansas and Auburn, plus Ole Miss in the Maui Invitational. The women start with Tennessee on Nov. 4, then tackle USC, TCU, and Oklahoma before jetting to the Cancun Challenge.

Ticket sales start Friday, Aug. 22 through Ticketmaster. Broadcast details are pending. Watch for complete season schedules this fall.