Apr 6, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Kevin Keatts reacts against the Purdue Boilermakers in the semifinals of the men’s Final Four of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images North Carolina State has been winning and learning at the same time, and that’s a combination that coach Kevin Keatts is savoring.
The Wolfpack will play their fourth consecutive game at home when Colgate visits Monday night in Raleigh, N.C.
“We got so many different guys from different places and we are starting to understand scouting reports, we are getting better at that,” Keatts said. “I think once we get better at that and learn how to play hard consistently on both ends of the floor then our depth will start to show more.”
NC State (3-0) hasn’t played since Jayden Taylor scored 22 points in Wednesday night’s 82-70 victory against Coastal Carolina.
Colgate (1-2) has been off since falling 74-72 at Syracuse on Tuesday night.
“We let too many missed shots impact the next play and that can’t happen against a good team,” Colgate coach Matt Langel said. “This game will prepare us well for the next game. We’ll learn from the experience and move forward.”
Keatts said he likes the depth of scoring options for the Wolfpack.
“We have a lot of guys who are all able to score anywhere from 15 to 18 points just depending on the night and the opponent,” Keatts said.
Still, Taylor’s role with the team has grown since a season ago. He is averaging 16.3 points over the first three games. In 41 games (29 starts) last season, he averaged 11.2.
“I like it, just being aggressive, kind of playing my game and taking what the defense gives me,” Taylor said.
The Wolfpack were without a 3-point basket in the Coastal Carolina game, but made up for that with 28 points on free throws.
NC State hasn’t trailed in either of its past two games.
Colgate will play its second consecutive opponent from the Atlantic Coast Conference on Monday. The Raiders outscored Syracuse 12-2 on points off turnovers and 22-2 on fastbreak points.
“Offensively we created great looks throughout the game — a couple good shots late with the game on the line,” Langel said.
The Raiders and Wolfpack have met only once. NC State won 77-74 on Nov. 13, 2021, in Raleigh.
–Field Level Media
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