RALEIGH, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne men's basketball team will take on the NC State Wolfpack in a preseason exhibition on Saturday, October 24. The game will begin at 12:00 p.m. at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., and admission and parking will be free. With the North Carolina State Fair taking place that weekend, further parking information will be provided closer to the event.

Despite playing Duke, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Louisville in recent years, the Bears and Wolfpack have not faced off in an exhibition match. The last time these teams played was nearly a century ago in 1928, a 36-22 NC State victory. In the early 1920's the Bears and Wolfpack played five times, with NC State winning all five meetings. 

"This is an exciting opportunity for our players, fans, and University to appear on one of the biggest stages and compete against one of the best programs not only in the state of North Carolina, but in the country," said Lenoir-Rhyne head coach Brent Owen. "I have a lot of respect for Coach Gainey in getting to know him through Coach Barnes during his time at Tennessee. He's a good man and a great coach and I am impressed with the roster he and his staff have built in year one. We are thankful for the opportunity they have provided and look forward to making both of our teams better through this experience."

Lenoir-Rhyne has won two exhibitions recently. They famously took down Louisville 57-47 in 2022 and defeated The Citadel 97-83 in Hickory in 2017. Their other win over a DI program since the year 2000 came in countable contest against UNC Asheville in 2005, an 81-78 Bear victory. 

Coach Owen and his staff have put together two extremely strong seasons since they came to Lenoir-Rhyne in the Spring of 2024, going a combined 55-15 with NCAA five postseason wins, a SAC Championship, and an NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance in 2025, the first in program history. 

Lenoir-Rhyne DI Exhibition Results Since 2000:
Oct. 31, 2023 at Tennessee - L, 90-48
Oct. 30, 2022 at Louisville - W, 57-47
Dec. 4, 2021 at East Tennessee State - L, 90-66
Oct. 30, 2021 at Tennessee - L, 103-62
Nov. 6, 2018 at Tennessee - L, 86-41
Oct. 29, 2017 vs. The Citadel - W, 97-83
Nov. 5, 2015 at Clemson - L, 87-84 (2 OT)
No. 11, 2014 at Davidson - L, 83-56
Nov. 3, 2013 at Davidson - L, 108-57
Dec. 12, 2012 at UNC Asheville - L, 66-55
Nov. 5, 2011 at Davidson - L, 81-44
Nov. 3, 2011 at App State - L, 102-64
Nov. 24, 2010 at East Carolina (Countable) - L, 71-48
Nov. 6, 2010 at Davidson - L, 65-61
Nov. 7, 2009 at Davidson - L, 87-65
Nov. 11, 2008 at Davidson - L, 87-54
Nov. 5, 2008 at Duke - L, 95-42
Nov. 9, 2007 at North Carolina - L, 107-52
Nov. 7, 2007 at Davidson - L, 82-58
Nov. 28, 2006 at UNC Asheville (Countable) - L, 69-59
Oct. 31, 2006 at Texas - L, 98-64
Nov. 30, 2005 at UNC Asheville (Countable) - W, 81-78
Nov. 9, 2005 at Texas - L, 97-36
Dec. 15, 2004 at UNC Asheville (Countable) - L, 75-61
Nov. 9, 2004 at Texas - L, 92-47
Nov. 21, 2000 at UNC Asheville (Countable) - L, 63-52