N.C. State is moving “Midnight Madness” up five hours and renaming it “Primetime with the Pack.”

The Wolfpack will begin the basketball season Oct. 12 with a showcase for its fans at PNC Arena at 7 p.m. There will be a 3-point contest and a scrimmage and one fan will have a chance to win $50,000.

N.C. State returns four starters from last years team, which went 24-13 and reached the Sweet 16, and adds three McDonald’s All-Americans for coach Mark Gottfried’s second season.

There will be a 45-minute autograph session with the players after the scrimmage. ESPN3 will broadcast the event online and ESPNU will show highlights as a part of its four-hour coverage of the start of practice for the college basketball season.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission and parking are free. One fan will have an opportunity to win $50,000 if they can make a layup, free throw, 3-pointer and half-court shot in 25 seconds.

Giglio: 919-829-8938