RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 5, 2026) – The ETSU men's basketball team will wrap up its season-opening road swing on Friday when it visits ACC foe NC State. Tip-off between the Buccaneers and Wolfpack is set for 7 p.m.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date: Friday, November 6
Time: 7:02 p.m. ET
Location: Raleigh, N.C. | Lenovo Center
Teams: ETSU (0-1, 0-0 SoCon) at NC State (1-0, 0-0 ACC)
Live Video: ACC Network Extra
Live Audio: WXSM-AM 640
Live Stats: etsubucs.com (Statbroadcast)
X: @ETSU_MBB
LAST TIME OUT – ETSU opened its 2026-27 season on Monday at Arizona State. The Bucs battled ASU in a tough five-point game with under seven minutes to go in the second half, but the Sun Devils ultimately won, 75-65.
BIG DEBUT FOR BJ WARD – In his first official game in a Buccaneer uniform,
BJ Ward made an immediate impact for the Blue and Gold. The Preseason All-SoCon selection netted a career-high 25 points on 10-for-23 shooting. Ward also added four rebounds, four steals, and three assists against ASU.
BUCS BEYOND THE ARC – ETSU shot well from beyond the arc on Monday, knocking down seven of 17 attempts (41.2%). Through Wednesday's games, that ranks second among SoCon teams and 70th nationally. Furthermore, five different Bucs made at least one three-pointer at Arizona State. Ward and
Jayden Cooper led the charge with two makes each.
ANOTHER POWER CONFERENCE TEST - After opening the 2026-27 season at Arizona State, the Bucs have another power conference opponent on Friday at NC State. ETSU's last victory against a power conference team came on December 22, 2021, at Georgia, 86-84.
ABOUT THE WOLFPACK – Justin Gainey is in his first season as head coach at NC State after spending several seasons as an assistant coach at Tennessee. Gainey, who graduated from NC State in 2000, guided the Wolfpack to an 83-64 win over Campbell on Monday night. Five different players reached double figures in scoring on Monday, with Ven-Allen Lubin leading the way with 20 points along with 10 rebounds.
SERIES REWIND VS. NC STATE – Friday marks the fifth all-time matchup between the Bucs and Wolfpack. ETSU has won three of the four all-time matchups, including the last three matchups in 1989, 1990, and 1992. In each of those three seasons, the Bucs went on to win the SoCon Regular Season and Tournament Titles.
For more information on ETSU men's basketball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click the men's basketball tab.
