Ben Salama
Sophomore Forward Abdul-Malik Abu throws it down with two hands for a flashy two points in the first half. Abu had a monster game with 17 points, 16 rebounds, one assist and three blocks in 33 minutes. The NC State Wolfpack beat the Clemson Tigers in a close one, 77-74, at PNC Arena Feb. 20.
The NC State men’s basketball team has released its schedule for the 2016-17 season, the team announced Monday.
The Wolfpack has exhibitions against Lynn University and Barton College on Nov. 3 and Nov. 7, respectively, before opening its regular season against Georgia Southern Nov. 11.
NC State then travels to the Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam, which takes place from Nov. 18 to Nov. 21. The team will play three games, the first being a matchup against Montana.
This year’s Big 10 Challenge, which has been played annually since 1999, will be played against Illinois, who finished with a 15-19 (5-13 Big 10) record last season. In last year’s Big 10 Challenge, NC State lost to Michigan, 66-59.
Another notable nonconference matchup will be against Tennessee State on Dec. 10. This is the Pack’s annual Heritage Game, which is the only time the team plays in Reynolds Coliseum this season and the first time since it was renovated.
The Heritage Game is the second of a six-game home stretch before the Wolfpack takes on Miami on the road in its ACC opener Dec. 31. The Wolfpack opens ACC home competition Jan. 4 against Virginia Tech and faces Virginia in its final home game of the season Feb. 25 before closing the regular season on the road against Clemson March 1.
The usual 18-game ACC slate includes match-ups against every conference team and two games each against Miami, Wake Forest and UNC-Chapel Hill.