NC State will get a familiar kind of preseason test next fall: another SEC opponent, another exhibition, and another chance to see where the roster stands before the games start counting.
The Wolfpack are scheduled to face Mississippi State in “The Preview” at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro on Oct. 18, 2026. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m., and presale tickets are already on sale more than a month out.
It marks the second straight year NC State has opened its preseason with an exhibition against an SEC team. The Wolfpack faced South Carolina last season, and now they’ll line up against a Mississippi State program that has become a steady NCAA Tournament presence under Chris Jans. Mississippi State has reached the tournament in three of Jans’ first four seasons.
The Greensboro event is one of several preseason showcases planned for First Horizon Coliseum. Another matchup there is already on the calendar, with USC and UNC set to meet in the “Preseason Premiere” on Oct. 9.
“We're excited to bring The Preview | College Basketball Exhibition to First Horizon Coliseum and create an experience that celebrates everything that people love about collegiate hoops," President of United Sports & Entertainment Rhossi Carron said in a release. "The city of Greensboro gives us an incredible stage to showcase NC State and Mississippi State men's basketball programs, while creating a memorable experience for local youth that will inspire the next generation on and off the court."
For Justin Gainey, the exhibition will be an early measuring stick for a roster that looks very different. The only returning players are Paul McNeil and Ven-Allen Lubin, while the rest of the group has been rebuilt with a wave of newcomers. That list includes four-star transfers Preston Edmead, Kyle Evans, Christian Hammond and Darius Adams, giving the Wolfpack help across the board.
Mississippi State has its own notable pieces back in place. Senior guard Josh Hubbard returns after earning All-SEC Second Team honors last season, and the Bulldogs have also added four-star transfer guard RJ Johnson, wing Kimani Hamilton and Top-70 freshman center Tristan Reed.
Even with Mississippi State coming off a 13-19 season, the matchup gives NC State a strong first look at how Gainey’s reworked team handles a proven coach and a veteran opponent. It also gives Wolfpack fans in the area another chance to see the team up close before the season begins.
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