Who is going to be NC State basketball’s go-to scorer?

Two seasons ago, N.C. State had Jarkel Joiner and Terquavion Smith. Last season, the Wolfpack had DJ Burns and DJ Horne. When the 2024-25 Wolfpack needs a bucket, which player will it turn to? With the game tied at 69 and three minutes left in the game, N.C. State turned to senior guards Jayden Taylor and Marcus Hill. That duo keyed a 7-0 spurt to help the Pack avoid the upset. Taylor knocked down a free throw with 9.9 seconds left to make it a four-point game.

Jayden Taylor keeps filling stat sheet for Wolfpack

Taylor continues to do a little bit of everything for the Wolfpack, filling up the stat sheet as a playmaker on both ends of the court. Despite missing five of his six shots in the first half, Taylor had four points to go with five rebounds, three assists and two steals in 15 minutes. He finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Michael O’Connel starts night with 3-pointer, remains steady at point 

Graduate guard Michael O’Connell, whose 3-pointer against Virginia at the 2024 ACC Tournament kept the Wolfpack’s season alive, fittingly started the exhibition with a 3-pointer from the top of the key. He also had three free throws and grabbed three rebounds. O’Connell, who finished with seven points and six rebounds, and Taylor will remain vital pieces for the Pack. 

Former UNC wing Dontrez Styles makes debut for Wolfpack 

Georgetown transfer Dontrez Styles, who played two seasons at North Carolina before joining the Hoyas, had seven points and three rebounds in the first half. Styles missed four of his first five shots, but got to the free-throw line, where he was 5-for-6 in the first 20 minutes. Foul trouble plagued Styles, who had four fouls, but he finished with nine points and eight rebounds.