NC State men’s basketball defeated the Colgate Raiders 72-49 at the Lenovo Center on Monday night. Despite a slow start, the Wolfpack regained control of the game and hardly looked back.

Last game, the Pack (4-0) went a staggering 0-10 from the 3-point line. However, NC State dominated in the paint against Coastal Carolina to counteract the poor 3-point shooting. Once again, the Pack imposed its will down low against an inferior opponent. Against Colgate (1-3), NC State knew that its assignment was to come after the imposing height that the Raiders possessed.

“We knew we were gonna try and get into the post early, try and attack their big,” said senior forward Ben Middlebrooks. “I think he’s kind of the focal point of their team so try and just take him out of it, get him in foul trouble.”

From the tip, it took a little time for the Wolfpack to get going. With three turnovers in the first three minutes, Colgate seized an early 6-2 lead. However, it took little time for NC State to respond. Utilizing a key turnover on an inbound pass created by head coach Kevin Keatts’ signature full-court pressure, the Pack gained possession of the ball, kickstarting a 17-0 run.

During this stretch, senior forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and Middlebrooks got going. Making their presence known not only by scoring baskets but also by grabbing boards and forcing turnovers, they helped create a sizeable gap over the Raiders. Forcing a block and steal as well, Middlebrooks had the team in a good place as the score was suddenly 19-6.

“We are a paint touch team right now,” Keatts said. “That’s our identity. We want to drive the ball and kick or we want to throw the ball inside. I love our center position.”

Throughout the remainder of the half, NC State built off this early jolt. As the Wolfpack continued to control the paint, it also experienced short-lived success with shooting the 3. In a span of three minutes and 12 seconds, the Pack tacked on three shots from deep. As relieving as it was to see for the Wolfpack faithful, the team went silent for the remainder of the evening from deep.

Keatts said he’s not worried about the team’s 3-point shooting.

“If we were taking 25 or 30 threes, I would be concerned,” Keatts said. “You only get concerned if you’re just jacking them and you don’t make them.”

Throughout the first half, the team shot a staggering 48% from the field which included an impressive 22 points in the paint while only allowing eight to Colgate. Still fresh off a close loss to Syracuse, the Pack was well aware of the threat that the Raiders posed near the basket.

“We knew they were gonna be a good team,” Middlebrooks said. “They dominate their conference year in and year out so we knew they were going to be a good matchup but we all had confidence. We knew we were going to come out and get the job done.”

In the second half, the Wolfpack continued to use its bread and butter as it attacked the post and got baskets within. In order to remain flexible in its attack, NC State found ways to get the ball to its guards. Drawing double teams to its big men, it found lanes to dish the ball out to wide-open guards.

“When teams are gonna have to start doubling, we’re able to get guys wide-open shots,” Middlebrooks said. “We got a lot of guys who can really hoop. We got guys who can do a lot of different things and I think we’re gonna be a hell of a match-up.”

This mode of attack went well with helping senior guard Marcus Hill get going. After a quiet first half, Hill posed a problem for the opposition with multiple close-range baskets in the second half. Putting up 10 points in the second frame, Hill finished with 17 points on the evening while shooting 60% from the field. The Bowling Green transfer boasted his best offensive showing donning the red and white.

“Fourth game, and feeling more comfortable every game,” Hill said. “My teammates were cheering me on so it really felt good.”

While the Wolfpack’s domination in the paint told most of the story, the Pack also played lockdown defense. The Wolfpack scored 17 points off 16 turnovers and this proved crucial in both the 17-0 run the Pack enjoyed early in the game as well as a 10-0 stretch later in the contest which helped stretch its lead.

Looking ahead to big-time matchups in the coming weeks against Purdue, Texas and Kansas, there are plenty of large opportunities out there for the Pack.

“I just want us to stay connected,” Keatts said. “I felt like it was a process for us last year, and you guys saw what the end result was when a team is connected.”

The Wolfpack next face William and Mary at home at 7 p.m. on Friday. The game will be televised on ACC Network Extra.