ACC Hoops: NC State loses at home by three to California 

January 18, 2025 

Raleigh, NC- California was voted to finish 16th in the ACC preseason polls. Former Stanford star, coach Mark Madsen is in his second season at California having finished 13-19 in his first season. He has had a total roster turnover this season, bringing in 10 transfers and 1 scholarship freshman. 

On Saturday night, Jovan Blacksher Jr. scored 14 points to lead five in double-figure scoring, and California led for most of the way and beat N.C. State 65-62 at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh. 

Jayden Taylor converted a three-point play to give N.C. State a 62-61 advantage with 1:20 to play, its first lead since the midway point of the first half. Blacksher Jr. got a layup and teammate DJ Campbell added free throws with 12 seconds left. NC State missed the tying shot by Breon Pass that would have forced overtime. 

Campbell finished with 13 points for Cal (9-9, 2-5 ACC). Other scorers included Jeremiah Wilkinson with 11, Andrek Stojakovic and Mady Sissoko both added 10. 

Jayden Taylor scored 18 points to pace N.C. State (9-9, 2-5). Other scorers included Marcus Hill with 13 points and Ben Middlebrooks with 10. NC State has now lost its third straight ACC game. 

Cal had a 31-29 advantage at the break. Cal shot 45.3% from the field to NC State’s 43.3%. Points were hard to come by from deep Cal just 6-of-16 and NC state 1-of-10. The Golden Bears outrebounded NC State 38-31. Today’s game was the first time NC State and California faced off since the 2006 NCAA tournament. 

Takeaways: 

#1 Late Collapse

NC State has had a challenging couple of weeks. They entered Saturday on the heels of back-to-back crushing losses. They have also dropped five of their last seven games. Tonight’s contest against the Golden Bears was pivotal for the Wolfpack. However, it was another late game collapse for the Pack. They had come back to tie things up against the Golden Bears at 51 apiece with 9:59 left in the game. Jayden Taylor made a steal and finished the play. This even gave the Wolfpack the lead with just 1:20 to go. Yet, an easy drive in the lane on the next possession for Cal gave them the lead as NC State had good looks to end the game but couldn’t get them to fall. Cal was finding success inside as well as NC State finished the game with just five assists on the offensive end of the floor. 

#2. Rebounding Woes 

Coming into Saturday, NC State ranked as one of the worst rebounding teams in the country. The team struggles, especially on the defensive half of the floor. Pack is dead last in the ACC in this area. It’s been no secret that NC State’s frontcourt has not been the strong suit this season however, it came down to the fact that the Golden Bears, who ranked second in the league in offensive rebounds coming in, made it a point of emphasis and took advantage. 

Coaching comments from NC State Coach Kevin Keatts: 

“You’re talking to a coach that’s never going to give up on a season particularly after what we saw to end last year. There’s a lot of basketball ahead of us, it’s a long season but the freshman will get earned minutes, not given.” 

Cal hosts Florida State on Wednesday, while N.C. State is at home against SMU on Saturday.