NC State meets LSU for Sweet 16 matchup
LSU Tigers (30-5, 13-5 SEC) vs. NC State Wolfpack (28-6, 18-3 ACC)
Spokane, Washington; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Tigers -3.5; over/under is 153.5
BOTTOM LINE: No. 9 NC State plays No. 10 LSU in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Wolfpack have gone 18-3 against ACC teams, with a 10-3 record in non-conference play. NC State is ninth in the ACC with 9.9 offensive rebounds per game led by Madison Hayes averaging 2.1.
Advertisement
The Tigers' record in SEC games is 13-5. LSU has a 23-1 record in games decided by 10 points or more.
NC State scores 77.0 points, 11.7 more per game than the 65.3 LSU allows. LSU has shot at a 46.0% clip from the field this season, 7.6 percentage points higher than the 38.4% shooting opponents of NC State have averaged.
The teams square off for the second time this season. LSU won the last meeting 82-65 on Nov. 27. Mikaylah Williams scored 24 to help lead LSU to the victory, and Saniya Rivers scored 21 points for NC State.
TOP PERFORMERS: Hayes is averaging 11 points and 7.2 rebounds for the Wolfpack. Aziaha James is averaging 18.7 points over the last 10 games.
Advertisement
Flau'jae Johnson is scoring 18.8 points per game with 5.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Tigers. Williams is averaging 18.5 points and 4.1 assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Wolfpack: 8-2, averaging 75.8 points, 38.5 rebounds, 13.8 assists, 5.5 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 43.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 63.8 points per game.
Tigers: 6-4, averaging 80.0 points, 36.7 rebounds, 15.9 assists, 9.3 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 43.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.8 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
LSU's Kim Mulkey Sends Message to Flau'jae Johnson After Career Announcement
LSU's Kim Mulkey Sends Message to Flau'jae Johnson After Career Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Flau'Jae Johnson is not only a star basketball player for the LSU Tigers. She is also a multi-talented woman. Advertisement Over the last three years, she has helped lead the Tigers to the Elite Eight round of the women's NCAA Tournament. As a freshman during the 2022-23 season, she teamed with Angel Reese, who is now with the WNBA's Chicago Sky, to guide LSU to the national championship with a win over Caitlin Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes. Johnson is also a rapper who has appeared on "America's Got Talent" and "The Rap Game." She has released three albums, and on Friday, her new single, named "Remember When," dropped. Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey took to X to congratulate Johnson. "Proud of you @Flaujae 💜🤍💛," Johnson wrote. Johnson, who is originally from Georgia and also played baseball as a kid, averaged 11.0 points and 5.9 rebounds a game as a freshman at LSU. Last season, she put up 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals a game while shooting 46.8% from the field and 38.3% from 3-point range. Advertisement The 5-foot-10 guard was named to the All-SEC first team this past season. She had the opportunity to declare herself eligible for this year's WNBA draft, but she decided to instead remain at LSU for her senior season. LSU Tigers guard Flau'Jae Johnson (4) drives to the basket at Florida Gators guard Jeriah Warren (20) Matt Pendleton: Imagn Images She has already signed with Unrivaled, a women's pro three-on-three basketball league. She has a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with the league, and she, along with Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings, has ownership equity as part of that NIL deal. Related: Paige Bueckers' Former Teammate Sends Message After Career Move This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
LSU's Kim Mulkey Reacts to Major Flau'jae Johnson Announcement on Monday
LSU's Kim Mulkey Reacts to Major Flau'jae Johnson Announcement on Monday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The LSU women's basketball team has been considered one of the top in the college basketball world over the past several seasons, led by head coach Kim Mulkey. Advertisement Mulkey has been able to lead LSU to a national championship during her time with the program as well as several deep postseason runs. Last season with the Tigers, they made their way to the Elite Eight in the postseason. LSU defeated San Diego State, Florida State and NC State before playing the UCLA Bruins and losing to the Western Conference foe, 72-65. After the season, LSU lost a few key contributors, such as Aneesah Morrow, who transitioned to the WNBA. Despite the loss, they still have one of the best guards in the country, Flau'jae Johnson. Johnson is currently preparing for her fourth season at LSU, having established herself as a star on and off the court during her time with the Tigers. Advertisement As she works toward her senior season, Johnson has been named to the 2025 Women's Americup Team Trials. She will be participating in the training with Team USA in Colorado Springs this offseason. Kim Mulkey reacted to the announcement by reposting a photo of Flau'jae Johnson with the Team USA news posted, seemingly supporting the LSU star. Kim Mulkey, Instagram Kim Mulkey, Instagram Last season with the LSU Tigers, Flau'jae Johnson posted 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Throughout her three-year career with the Tigers, Johnson has averaged 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. LSU Lady Tigers head coach Kim Snook-Imagn Images Kim Mulkey has been with the LSU Tigers since 2021. During her time at LSU, she has led the Tigers to a national title and Final Four appearance. Advertisement Mulkey was also previously named the AP College Basketball Coach of the Year in 2022. Related: Chicago Sky Coach Sends Strong Angel Reese Message After Loss to Indiana Fever Related: LSU's Kim Mulkey Sends Message to Flau'jae Johnson After Career Announcement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Klubnik Cracks Top 10 Returning QBs, Eyes Heisman After Championship Season
Klubnik Cracks Top 10 Returning QBs, Eyes Heisman After Championship Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. CLEMSON, S.C. -- After leading the Clemson Tigers back to the pinnacle of the ACC and securing a College Football Playoff berth, quarterback Cade Klubnik is not just a champion, but also one of the nation's elite signal-callers heading into the 2025 season. According to the College Sports Network's advanced QB+ metric, Klubnik ranks as the seventh-best returning quarterback in college football, positioning him as a legitimate contender for the Heisman Trophy. Advertisement Klubnik's 2024 campaign was a resounding success, culminating in a dramatic ACC Championship victory over SMU where he was named the game's MVP for the second time in his career. This performance, a key factor in his impressive 82.2 (B-) QB+ grade, solidified his status as a clutch performer and a leader capable of elevating his team in high-stakes moments. The CSN QB+ metric, which weighs stable performance factors like clean pocket passing and designed rushing success more heavily, highlights the core strengths of Klubnik's game. One of his most impressive attributes is his composure under duress. Only two other returning quarterbacks in the nation posted a better pressured EPA per dropback (0.1) than Klubnik last season, a testament to his calm presence in the pocket when chaos erupts. While his overall grade was slightly dampened by a tough season-opening loss to Georgia (66.8, D grade), Klubnik's body of work speaks for itself. He consistently performed at a high level, logging four games with an 80+ grade. Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) runs on his way to scoring a game-winning fifty-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter to defeat the Pittsburgh Panthers.© Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Statistically, Klubnik was prolific. He led all returning quarterbacks with an impressive 36 passing touchdowns in 2024. Within the ACC, his dominance was even more apparent. According to TruMedia, he paced all returning conference quarterbacks in total pass EPA (114.19). A constant big-play threat, Klubnik tied for the ACC lead with seven plays of 50 or more yards and recorded more 20+ yard plays (57) than any other quarterback returning to the conference in 2025. Advertisement His efficiency was also top-tier, boasting a 6.0 touchdown-to-interception ratio, second only to Georgia Tech's Haynes King among returning ACC signal-callers. As Klubnik enters his third season at the helm of Garrett Riley's offense, expectations are soaring. With another year of experience and a proven track record of success, a trip to New York for the Heisman ceremony is a realistic goal. If he can build upon his 2024 performance and continue his upward trajectory, Klubnik has the potential to not only lead Clemson to another ACC title but also contend for a national championship. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
