NC State opens the regular season Monday against Wofford at Reynolds Coliseum. Tip is at 5 p.m. on ACC Network Extra. The Terriers finished 16-13 last year and tied for first in the SoCon at 10-4 before losing their first tournament game at home. They have been picked second in the preseason SoCon poll this year, behind a team that returns most of its core. They return three starters, led by sophomore guard Gabby Mundy (5-6), who averaged 15.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists as a freshman and was named SoCon Freshman of the Year. Senior guard Maddie Heiss (5-10, 11.5 points) and junior guard Molly Masingale (5-9, 8.5 points) are also back. The main loss is forward Queen Ikhiuwu, who averaged 12.9 points and 7.7 rebounds. Angelina Pelayo, a 6-3 forward who transferred from UNCW, is one of the new pieces inside.

Wofford is a guard-driven team. Mundy, Heiss, and Masingale started most of last season, and the backcourt is the strength again. The open question for them is rebounding and interior production without Ikhiuwu. Coach Jimmy Garrity has a 6-4 forward in Courtney Swider and the 6-3 transfer Pelayo, but the Terriers will lean on the perimeter to create advantages. That is the group NC State will see first. This team is also a chance to see how the up-tempo defense works against ball-handling guards. UNCW tried to press and jump passing lanes, and the Pack still built a big lead. Wofford’s returning guards will give Moore a cleaner look at whether the quicker pieces can disrupt a backcourt that is used to creating with the ball in their hands.

For the Pack, this is the first chance to see the new team and the new style of play in a game that counts. The shorter, quicker version Moore has been describing showed up in flashes against High Point and lasted longer against UNCW. Monday is the first time that version has to hold up when the scoreboard matters and the opponent is not an exhibition mid-major.

It is also the first chance to see who has earned the starting spots after two exhibitions and a closed scrimmage. Moore has been rotating the guard line because several players could make an argument and because people have been nicked up. The sheet from UNCW had Brooks limited to 9:31 with the hip tweak and Wooten playing 31 minutes. The starting five that walks out on Monday will be the first public answer to who has separated themselves.

It is also the first chance to see how the freshmen react when the game is for real. Kamora Pruitt flashed against UNCW with a three and a rebound that led to a fast-break bucket. Annsley Trivette had four points and six assists in 15 minutes and looked more comfortable than most freshmen bigs. Both have been in the mix in practice and in the exhibitions. Monday is the first time the minutes come with a score that counts and a crowd that expects the Pack to control the game. How they handle that step is part of what the Pack is still learning about its depth.

The defensive pieces that closed space against UNCW will get a different look. Wofford is not as physical inside as High Point was in stretches, and they are not as turnover-prone as the Seahawks were. The test is whether the quickness, Samuels’ effort on the glass, Lunan’s length, and Leye’s willingness to get after it away from the post can disrupt a backcourt that returns its leading scorer. Pierre’s efficiency inside and the chemistry with Leye are the reliable parts of the offense right now. The three-point shooting from the guard line is still the open question. Monday is the first real look at whether the outline that showed up in the exhibitions can hold when the season starts.