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NC State expected stiffer competition at Maui Invitational; Boise State next

Jacey Zembalby: Jacey Zembal11/25/25JaceyZembal

One of the by-products of playing three games in three days at the Maui Invitational for NC State is facing another level of opponent.

VCU was the tallest of the five non-conference foes with 6-foot-11, 235-pound center Lazar Djokovic and 6-8, 215-pound Barry Evans at the two inside spots. The Rams were missing 6-11 Bryant center transfer Keyshawn Mitchell, or would have been lengthier.

Djokovic and Evans combined for 31 points, 10 boards and one block, but NC State won 85-79 on Nov. 17.

NC State first-year coach Will Wade said there were levels to the schedule and he expected Seton Hall to be the next level up Monday, and they were. The Pirates might not be “taller” than VCU, but have an older experienced team with a 1-2 punch at center.

Seton Hall won nearly all the main categories that involve the inside game — 37-30 advantage in rebounds, 40-to-26 points in the paint and the Pirates had nine blocks compared to just two for the Wolfpack.

NC State managed to go 9 of 22 on layup attempts, and made all three dunks. Seton Hall also made all three dunks and went 12 of 20 on layups.

“We didn’t play very well,” Wade said. “Give Seton Hall a lot of credit. They were more aggressive than we were. They were tougher than we were. We just didn’t do a good job. They killed us in the paint by 14. Out-rebounded us. Were just scrappier than we were. 

“Very disappointing, especially to have all the fans out here and everybody out here. We just didn’t play our best today, but we’ve got to turn the page quick and have a next-play mentality and move on because we’re going to play another really, really good team tomorrow.”

NC State’s two post players both had fine final numbers with Ven-Allen Lubin and Darrion Williams combining for 28 points and 15 rebounds, but zero blocks. They had better statistics than their Seton Hall counterparts.

Seton Hall senior center Stephon Payne, a 6-9 Jacksonville transfer, was limited by foul trouble in the first half. Payne finished with two points, three rebounds and one blocked shot in 16 minutes. Helping fill the void was freshman center Najai Hines of Garner, N.C., who NC State hoped to add last July. Hines went 5 of 5 from the field for 10 points, plus four rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes.

Six different players scored in double figures with A.J. Staton-McCray with a game-high 22 points. Seton Hall coach Shaheen Holloway said his goals was to limit NC State’s three-point shooting, which went 8 of 24 in the loss.

“NC State is really good,” Holloway said. “They’ve got great scorers. They can shoot the basketball. One of the keys was just take away the three. They make threes we got no shot at beating them. I thought we did a great job contesting that, understanding who could shoot, and then not letting them get no second-chance points. Not as many.”

NC State will play Boise State at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, with the Broncos falling against USC on Monday. Boise State, which is 4-2, have Georgetown junior transfer Drew Fielder at center, who is 6-11 and 225 pounds. Fielder is averaging 10.8 points and 4.3 rebounds and has three blocks this season.

Senior power forward Javan Buchanan starts next to Fielder and is 6-7 and 230 pounds, who played his first two years at Indiana Wesleyan. Buchanan is chipping in 12.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game and has one blocked shot this season.

“I believe in our guys,” Wade said. “I believe in our team. I believe in who we are, and we’re built for these type things. 

“Anybody can sail a ship in smooth waters. A skilled sailor can do it when the water is choppy. The water is choppy for us now we’ve got to turn the page and move forward and that’s what we’ll do. I believe the Wolfpack will play a lot better tomorrow, and I think you’ll see a team that has a little bit more of an edge to them tomorrow.”