North Carolina State University Athletics
A Look At NC State's Non-Conference Schedule
10/28/2013 12:00:00 AM
Oct. 28, 2013
Each year, the NCAA selection committee awards teams that play a tough non-conference schedule. In many cases, these games can determine a team's fate in earning a coveted berth to the "Big Dance".
During his time at NC State, head coach Mark Gottfried has made it a point of emphasis to schedule tough non-conference games that will test his team and prepare it for the grueling ACC portion of the schedule. Here are a few notes on the 13 games that NC State will play this year before conference play:
- 7 of the 13 games include teams that finished with an RPI rank of 73 or better last year
- NC State will play 3 2013 NCAA Tournament teams, the third-most in the ACC
- NC State will host Florida Gulf Coast, a 2013 Sweet 16 team, at PNC Arena (11/26)
- The Wolfpack will play its second game of the season on the road at Cincinnati (11/12, 5 p.m.), which is a part of ESPN's College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon (more than 24 hours of consecutive basketball games)
The scheduling of non-conference games is one of the more strategic components in terms of building a resume for the selection committee. In addition to scheduling games against teams that had a high 2013 RPI, Coach Gottfried also looks at teams that will seemingly compete for league championships. Here are a few interesting tidbits on some NC State opponents who may challenge for spots in the 2014 NCAA Tournament (via ESPN.com):
- 8 of the 13 teams were picked to finish in the top 5 of their conference
- 3 teams are picked to win their conference (Eastern Kentucky, Long Beach State, North Carolina Central)
- 1 team is picked to finish 2nd (Florida Gulf Coast) and another is ranked third (Tennessee)
Here is a game-by-game breakdown of NC State's non-conference schedule:
Appalachian State--11/8 @ PNC Arena
Jason Capel enters his 4th year as head coach, and the Mountaineers return 4 starters from last season, including 6-6 senior Jay Canty, who averaged 14.3 ppg last season. Former Wolfpack guard Justin Gainey is an assistant coach under Capel. Appalachian State was picked to finish 5th in the Southern Conference.
at Cincinnati--11/12 @ Fifth Third Arena (2013 NCAA Tournament Team)
The Bearcats, under head coach Mick Cronin, finished an impressive 22-12 last season on their way to an NCAA tournament appearance and a top 50 RPI ranking (49). Cincinnati returns senior guard Sean Kilpatrick (2nd team All-Big East), who averaged 17 ppg last year. The game against the Bearcats will be nationally-televised on ESPN at 5 p.m. as a part of the network's College Basketball Tip-Off Marathon, which features more than 24 hours of consecutive basketball games.
Campbell--11/16 @ PNC Arena
First-year head coach Kevin McGeehan and the Campbell Camels look poised to improve upon a 13-20 record last season, as they return 4 starters to their lineup.
North Carolina Central--11/20 @ PNC Arena
Head coach LeVelle Moton (5th season) will bring an always talented and competitive North Carolina Central team to Raleigh with added weapons to his arsenal, which includes 5 Division I transfers and 3 starters. Jeremy Ingram, a 6-3 senior, leads the Eagles, who are picked to win the MEAC.
Florida Gulf Coast--11/26 @ PNC Arena (2013 NCAA Tournament Team)
The team known as "Dunk City" made huge waves in the NCAA tournament last year on its way to a Sweet 16 appearance. The Eagles captivated the nation and will come into PNC Arena a confident and experienced team. 
FGCU returns 3 starters, highlighted by Bernard Thompson and Brett Comer. Former head coach Andy Enfield left for the same position at USC, and first-year head coach Joe Dooley (former assistant at Kansas) has 6 of the team's top 7 players returning from last year's roster. The Eagles are picked to finish second in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Eastern Kentucky--11/30 @ PNC Arena
Jeff Neubauer enters his 9th season as head coach of a program that finished 25-10 last year with a 12-4 record in the Ohio Valley Conference. Eastern Kentucky boasts a team that returns 4 starters, including top guard Glenn Cosey (15 ppg, 40% 3FG). EKU was picked by media pundits to win the OVC.
Northwestern--12/4 @ PNC Arena
The Wolfpack will square off against Northwestern in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on ESPNU. The Wildcats return top scorer Drew Crawford (13.5 ppg last season). First-year head coach Chris Collins, who played his college ball at Duke, returns to the Triangle leading a competitive Northwestern team that is likely to fly under the radar in the Big Ten this year.
Long Beach State--12/7 @ PNC Arena
The 49ers, under 7th year coach Dan Monson, have won an impressive 3 straight regular season titles in the Big West Conference. They return 1st team all-conference point guard Mike Caffey (12 ppg). Long Beach State is another non-league opponent picked to win its conference.
Detroit--12/14 @ Reynolds Coliseum
NC State traditionally plays at least one non-conference game in historic Reynolds Coliseum, and this year it comes against the University of Detroit. The Titans were a 2012 NCAA Tournament team and their point guard Ray McCallum was selected in the second round of the 2013 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. The Titans finished 20-13 last season and always sport a highly-competitive and athletic roster.
Tennessee--12/21 @ Thompson Boling Arena (Pre-season #19 via Sporting News)
The Volunteers, under third-year coach Cuonzo Martin, will most likely host the Wolfpack as a team ranked in the Top 25. The Wolfpack will be in charge of stopping the SEC pre-season player of the year Jordan McCrae (15.7 ppg). Tennessee also added guard Antonio Barton, a transfer from Memphis. The Volunteers were picked to finish third in the SEC.
East Carolina--12/21 @ PNC Arena (CIT Champions)
Coach Mark Gottfried will once again square off against Pirates head coach Jeff Lebo, which will establish their second in-state coaching matchup. The two coaches previously went head-to-head in the SEC when Gottfried was at Alabama and Lebo at Auburn. East Carolina captured the College Invitational Tournament title last year and posted a 23-12 record. The Pirates return a pair of starters, including Akeem Richmond (10.9 ppg).
Missouri--12/28 @ PNC Arena (2013 NCAA Tournament Team)
Both coaches in this high-major matchup now coach in conferences they used to call home, and both have found 
success by making the NCAA tournament their first two years at new schools. The two coaches also find themselves replacing 4 starters from the previous season. Missouri (23-11 last year) will serve as great preparation on the heels of ACC play for the Pack, as the Tigers come to PNC Arena in what will be a nationally-televised game on ESPN2.
UNC Greensboro--12/30 @ Greensboro Coliseum
The final non-conference game of the season will take place in the same location as the ACC Tournament, giving the Wolfpack the advantage of having played at Greensboro Coliseum when the conference tournament is there in March. The away game will give NC State another opportunity to turn its team into a road-tested squad before ACC play. Wes Miller is in his third season as the head coach of the Spartans.
Interested in watching the Wolfpack this season in beautiful PNC Arena?
Tickets are still available visit http://www.gopack.com/tickets/ or call 919-865-1510 to get your tickets today!
