NC State opens the regular season tonight against Wofford at Reynolds Coliseum. Tip is at 5 p.m. on ACC Network Extra. The Terriers finished 16-13 last year, tied for first in the SoCon, and have been picked second in the preseason poll. They return three starters, led by sophomore guard Gabby Mundy (5-6), who averaged 15.4 points as a freshman and was named SoCon Freshman of the Year. Senior guard Maddie Heiss (5-10) and junior guard Molly Masingale (5-9) are also back. The main loss is forward Queen Ikhiuwu. Angelina Pelayo, a 6-3 forward 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. That gives the Pack a chance to see how the up-tempo defense works against ball-handling guards. The open question for Wofford is rebounding and interior production without Ikhiuwu. Coach Jimmy Garrity has a 6-4 forward in Courtney Swider and the transfer Pelayo, but the Terriers will lean on the perimeter to create advantages.

For the Pack, this is the first game that counts. The shorter, quicker version Moore has been describing showed up in flashes against High Point and lasted longer against UNCW. Tonight is the first time that version has to hold up when the scoreboard matters. 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 tonight 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. Tonight is the first time the minutes come with a score that counts and a crowd that expects the Pack to control the game.

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. Tonight is the first real look at whether the outline that showed up in the exhibitions can hold when the season starts.