Boise State basketball faces No. 23 NC State in the Maui Invitational consolation bracket on November 25, 2025. Both teams dropped their opening contests in Hawaii.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Boise State lost 70-67 to USC in the quarterfinal, missing a game-tying 3-pointer
- NC State dropped to Seton Hall 85-74 after being upset in their opener
- Game time: 2:30 PM ET on Tuesday, November 25 at Lahaina Civic Center
- Television: ESPN2
Boise State Falls Short After Shooting Struggles Against USC
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Boise State had the game within reach but couldn’t execute down the stretch. Rodney Rice scored 27 points to lead USC to a narrow 70-67 victory in the opening round. The Broncos entered shooting 36.9% from three on the season but managed just 5-of-25 (20%) against the Trojans.
Head coach Leon Rice acknowledged the tight contest, saying “It was a battle.” Despite the loss, Boise State dominated inside with 40 points in the paint and outrebounded the taller USC squad including critical offensive boards. The Broncos came into the game 4-1 before the disappointing exit to the consolation bracket.
NC State Seeking Redemption After Seton Hall Upset
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NC State suffered a stinging 85-74 loss to Seton Hall on November 24, allowing the Pirates to shoot 52% from the field. AJ Staton-McCray led Seton Hall with 22 points in the upset victory. The Wolfpack entered the tournament ranked #23 nationally but fell flat defensively.
The Pack struggled with Seton Hall connecting on 22 three-point attempts, with opponents getting wide-open looks through poor execution. NC State now drops to the consolation bracket at 4-1 overall. Darrion Williams leads the Wolfpack with 21.0 points per game and shoots 59.7% from the field.
| Team | Record | Opening Result | Key Stat |
| Boise State | 4-2 | L 67-70 vs USC | 40 points in paint |
| NC State | 4-1 | L 74-85 vs Seton Hall | 52% opponent FG % |
Boise State Led by Preseason All-Mountain West Standout
Andrew Meadow, voted to the preseason All Mountain West team, leads Boise State with 14.5 points per game. The junior forward shoots 44.4% from beyond the arc with 4.5 attempts per contest. Javan Buchanan, the Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year last season, contributes 12.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
Leon Rice enters his 16th season as Boise State head coach and stands as the winningest coach in program history. Rice has guided the Broncos to five NCAA Tournament appearances and 12 20-win seasons. The media projected Boise State to finish 3rd in the Mountain West this season after returning key pieces from last year’s 26-11 team.
NC State Must Tighten Defense After Defensive Breakdown
NC State showed defensive vulnerabilities in the Seton Hall loss that cannot be repeated. The Wolfpack allowed an opponent to shoot 52%, a recipe for disaster against tournament-caliber teams. Will Wade’s squad must execute the defensive scheme better and switch more effectively on screens.
Ven Lubin avoided foul trouble against Seton Hall, playing 31 minutes, and came within one rebound of a double-double, a positive trend. Darrion Williams and Tre McNeil combined for just 21 points and 9 rebounds against the Pirates, forcing the Pack to lean on role players. Getting more production from these stars becomes critical in the consolation bracket.
Can Boise State and NC State Salvage Maui Tournament Runs?
Both squads hope consolation bracket victories spark momentum heading into December conference play. Boise State shot just 20% from three against USC despite entering at 36.9% on the season, suggesting regression to the mean could help moving forward. NC State’s defensive structure needs immediate adjustments, or ranked opponents will continue exposing weaknesses.
The winner likely faces Texas or Chaminade in the next round. Boise State brings solid interior presence while NC State boasts superior talent on paper with its top-25 ranking. Execution and defensive intensity, not rankings, determine who advances deeper into the tournament.
Sources
- ESPN – Game recaps and live coverage
- CBS Sports – Tournament analysis and updates
- Idaho Statesman – Boise State coverage
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.