We’ve already published the first two – on LSU and Kansas State – as part of our look ahead to the 2026 Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off. You can read those here:
Make the Trip: Why NC State Fans Need to Be in Fort Myers for the LSU Showdown
Make the Trip: Why NC State Fans Need to Be in Fort Myers for the Kansas State Matchup
NC State wraps up the non-conference portion of the schedule by hosting Navy on Sunday, December 20 at Reynolds Coliseum
The Midshipmen had an outstanding 2025-26 season under head coach Tim Taylor, finishing 22-9 overall and 15-2 in the Patriot League to claim the regular-season championship. They reached the conference tournament final (falling in overtime) and advanced to the WBIT. Taylor is back for his seventh season after guiding a strong turnaround in Annapolis.
Navy averaged around 70 points per game while holding opponents to about 61. They’re balanced, well-coached, and play with toughness and discipline. Standout player last year was guard Zanai Barnett-Gay, who averaged nearly 17 points and over 8 rebounds while earning Patriot League Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. Several key pieces return for 2026-27.
What they bring
The Midshipmen are physical, competitive, and hard to push around. Strong defense, solid rebounding, and a star who can take over games define them. They won’t beat themselves and will make opponents earn everything.
For the Pack
This is a solid home game against a rising Patriot League champion. History is limited, but NC State holds the advantage in any prior meetings. The keys are using size and athleticism to control the paint, limiting Barnett-Gay’s impact, and dictating the pace. Stay focused and avoid letting it turn into a half-court slog.
Overall, Navy is a well-coached, physical mid-major that just won its conference regular season. At home, the Wolfpack should be clear favorites if they play with energy and attention to detail.
Leave a Reply