Coastal Carolina Seek Bounce Back vs. Undefeated N.C. State
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Face Tough Challenge Against Undefeated N.C. State Wolfpack
The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (1-1) are looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they take on the N.C. State Wolfpack (2-0) in an exciting inter-conference matchup this Wednesday evening. The game will be played at PNC Arena, and fans can expect a battle between a rebuilding Coastal Carolina team and a high-powered N.C. State squad looking to extend its undefeated start.
Coastal Carolina: Rebounding from a Narrow Road Loss
After a promising 60-56 win over Western Michigan in their season opener, the Chanticleers fell short in a hard-fought battle against East Carolina, suffering a 63-59 road loss. Despite being 5-point underdogs, Coastal Carolina showed resilience but couldn’t close the gap in the final moments of the game.
This season, Coastal Carolina is working with a revamped roster, having lost many key players from last year’s squad. One of the bright spots for the Chanticleers has been Rasheed Jones, a sophomore guard who’s quickly established himself as a scoring threat. Jones averaged 17.5 points per game in the first two contests, including a team-high 20 points in the loss to East Carolina. His scoring ability will be crucial as Coastal Carolina seeks to keep up with the high-scoring Wolfpack.
Another key contributor is Noah Amenhauser, a sophomore center who transferred from Grand Canyon University. He has been incredibly efficient, averaging 9 points per game on an impressive 88% shooting percentage. However, the Chanticleers’ offense as a whole has struggled to find consistency, ranking 345th in the nation in scoring, with an average of just 59.5 points per game.
Despite their offensive struggles, Coastal Carolina has done well defensively, allowing only 59.5 points per game, placing them 45th in the nation for defensive efficiency. However, with a young roster and a tough schedule ahead, they face a difficult task in containing an explosive N.C. State team.
N.C. State: Undefeated and Dominant
The N.C. State Wolfpack have rolled to a 2-0 start after easy wins against South Carolina Upstate (97-66) and Presbyterian (81-72). While the schedule has been favorable, the Wolfpack have lived up to expectations, dominating offensively and showing depth after the departure of four of their top five scorers from last season.
Jayden Taylor, the team’s leading returning scorer, has picked up where he left off, averaging 14 points per game in the first two contests. The senior guard has shot 45.5% from the field, including a 19-point performance in the win over Presbyterian. Taylor’s leadership and scoring ability will be essential as N.C. State continues to build momentum.
Another standout has been Marcus Hill, a senior guard who transferred from Bowling Green, where he averaged 20.5 points per game last season. Hill has continued his strong play with 21 total points in the first two games, and he adds valuable experience to an otherwise young squad.
Perhaps the biggest offseason addition for N.C. State has been Bradley Huntley-Hatfield, a senior forward who transferred from Tennessee. Huntley-Hatfield, known for his defensive prowess, has been a significant contributor offensively as well, averaging 24 points and 10 rebounds in the first two games. His all-around play has helped anchor the Wolfpack both offensively and defensively.
With Ben Middlebrooks stepping up as a more prominent scorer this season, averaging 13 points and 5.5 rebounds, N.C. State has found success on both ends of the floor. The Wolfpack currently rank 58th in KenPom’s efficiency ratings, and they have been averaging 89 points per game—good for 66th in the nation.
Conclusion
While Coastal Carolina has shown flashes of potential with a young and revamped roster, the Chanticleers will likely face an uphill battle in this matchup. N.C. State’s offensive firepower, combined with their solid defensive play, makes them the clear favorite. Expect the Wolfpack to secure their third consecutive win, but Coastal Carolina could make it interesting if their defense steps up and their key players like Rasheed Jones and Noah Amenhauser continue their strong early-season performances.
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