NC State Basketball Encounters Hurdle in Trip West
NC State basketball is in San Diego for the two-day Rady Children's Invitational, tipping off for the Wolfpack (5-0, 0-0 ACC) versus No. 13-ranked Purdue (5-1, 0-0 Big Ten) in LionTree Arena at 3 p.m. ET Thursday (FS1).
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Ideally, Kevin Keatts and his eighth NC State basketball squad would have arrived at their hotel at a reasonable hour on Tuesday night, as they were supposed to fly out of Raleigh-Durham International Airport around 7 p.m. ET. That way, they would have enjoyed a full night's sleep to help adjust to the time-zone change.
First official business trip 🛫 pic.twitter.com/TOhyRslhYe
— NC State Men's Basketball (@PackMensBball) November 27, 2024
But as the visibly sluggish 52-year-old Keatts explained to the media during his Zoom call on Wednesday morning, he and his players entered their first practice in San Diego behind on their Zs:
"Our plane was delayed so long last night that we didn't even leave Raleigh until sometime after midnight.
"And so, I think the adaptation part is tough. You know, we were scheduled to leave around 7 o'clock. And for whatever reason — obviously, plane issues — we didn't take off until about 12:30 [a.m. ET Wednesday]...
"We're probably gonna be zombies [at Wednesday's practice]. Hopefully, we can get adjusted before we play tomorrow. But today, I don't know what to expect."
After squaring off against the Boilermakers, the Wolfpack will prepare for a Black Friday bout against the BYU Cougars (5-0, 0-0 Big 12) or No. 23 Ole Miss Rebels (5-0, 0-0 SEC).
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Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.