LIVE BLOG: NC State vs. USC Upstate on banner night to open 2024-25 season

NC State cruises to season-opening win

Unlike the Wolfpack’s exhibition against Lees-McRae last Wednesday, this one was never in doubt. NC State knocked off USC Upstate 97-66 to begin the 2024-25 campaign 1-0.

Senior guard Breon Pass led the Pack with 14 points, while Bowling Green transfer guard Marcus Hill matched his point total. Senior forward Ben Middlebrooks logged 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Wolfpack’s first double-double of the season.

Here’s a look at the full stats from the Wolfpack’s win:

Breon Pass breakout game?

NC State senior guard Breon Pass, the only player on the roster that has spent all four seasons with the Wolfpack, is up to a career-best 14 points.

The Reidsville, N.C., native has been efficient with a 5-of-7 shooting night to go with a rebound and two assists in 18 minutes on the floor. NC State coach Kevin Keatts envisioned a bigger role for Pass this season, and he has stepped up to the plate so far tonight.

NC State 81, USC Upstate 58. 2H 7:12.

NC State holds a comfortable lead

Freshman guard Trey Parker is having some fun tonight. He’s hit a pair of threes and just threw a lob to Breon Pass. Parker has three assists, just two shy of Michael O’Connell’s five to pace NC State.

The Wolfpack has 16 assists on 29 made baskets to this point. Marcus Hill leads all scorers with 12 points, while Ben Middlebrooks has five rebounds for the Pack.

NC State 69, USC Upstate 48. 2H 11:53.

Welcome to the party, Marcus Hill

Bowling Green transfer guard Marcus Hill entered NC State with a reputation for getting to the rim. That’s exactly what he did to start the second half as he scored 8 of the Pack’s first 10 points in the second half, sparking an 8-0 run in the process.

Hill scored 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting in his first 17 minutes on the floor. He missed a free throw, but added two rebounds and two assists as well.

NC State 64, USC Upstate 41. 2H 15:27.

It’s all Pack at halftime

NC State shot 66.7% from the field in the first half, despite missing eight three-pointers in the opening half. The Pack won the rebound battle 19-12 in the first 20 minutes, while it scored 10 second-chance points in the process.

Dontrez Styles and Michael O’Connell paced the Wolfpack with 9 points each, while Ben Middlebrooks had a team-best four rebounds. O’Connell also dished four of NC State’s 11 assists in the first half.

Hi, Ben Middlebrooks

After tossing a slick assist early in the game, Middlebrooks has been able to be impactful at the rim. He nailed a long two, nearly a triple, before grabbing a steal on the ensuing in-bound pass with a layup. Middlebrooks’ back-to-back buckets sparked a 6-0 NC State run.

The forward has has 4 points with two rebounds and an assist so far in eight minutes of playing time.

NC State 39, USC Upstate 25. 1H 3:20.

It’s time to run

NC State trailed early, but a 10-0 run over 1:48 changed that in a hurry. The Wolfpack pulled in front 26-14 after Michael O’Connell hit a pair of three-pointers to start the scoring outburst.

The Wolfpack’s defense has settled in, too. USC Upstate has missed seven straight shots and hasn’t scored in the last 2:55.

NC State 26, USC Upstate 14. 1H 8:43.

Styles impresses early

Dontrez Styles has knocked down four of NC State’s first six shots. He just hit the Pack’s first three of the night. The Georgetown playing with two early fouls, but that doesn’t seem to be an issue.

Styles has missed just one shot, his first three-point attempt, as he has propelled the Pack in front of the Spartans midway through the first half.

NC State 16, USC Upstate 12. 1H 11:38.

NC State trails at first media timeout

While Styles helped NC State jump out to an early lead, USC Upstate has been able to take advantage of three offensive rebounds in the early going. The Spartans have 4 second-chance points in the first four minutes of the game.

Styles has 4 points on 2-for-3 shooting, while Marcus Hill has the Pack’s other made field goal.

USC Upstate 8, NC State 7. 1H 15:48.

Dontrez Styles with a fast start

Georgetown transfer Dontrez Styles scored the first 4 points for NC State. He finished off an offensive rebound for his first bucket before scoring off a Ben Middlebrooks assist at the rim.

NC State leads 7-4, 16:49 left in the first half.

NC State unveils ACC Championship and Final Four banners

After a brief video that detailed NC State’s run through the ACC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament, the Wolfpack’s two newest banners were dropped into the rafters at Lenovo Center.

Starting lineups released

NC State’s starting five:
G Michael O’Connell
G Marcus Hill
G Jayden Taylor
G Dontrez Styles
F Ben Middlebrooks

USC Upstate’s lineup
G Kanye Jones
G Mister Dean
G Karmani Gregory
G Chico Johnson
F Daniel Helterhoff

NC State without two transfers for season opener

NC State appears to be without Mike James (knee scope) and Ismael Diouf for tonight’s season opener against USC Upstate.

Both players are not dressed with 20 minutes remaining in pregame warmups.

Dennis Parker Jr. is warming up in uniform

Sophomore wing Dennis Parker Jr. missed the exhibition game as he was nursing a minor ankle injury. He seems to be moving well and going through a full warm up on the court with the entire team.

Tonight’s officials

NC State vs. USC Upstate’s officials:
– Eric Lewis
– Adam Flore
– Grant Todey

Todey didn’t officiate any NC State games last season, but he did see USC Upstate three times.

The Wolfpack is on the court for pregame warm ups

NC State is on the floor for pregame warmups. Louisville transfer center Brandon Huntley-Hatfield was among the first on the court for the Pack. The Wolfpack will wear all white for its season opener.

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