I think college basketball fans are sharing just as much excitement as these teams fans for this game. The #8 North Carolina Tarheels (17-4) are set to host the NC State Wolfpack (16-6) tonight in a crucial ACC game. The Tarheels are looking sharp compared to NC State, who has dropped their last two.
How NC State Can Win
Keep a quick pace and pass the ball. The Wolfpack are outdone by UNC in the assist area by a nice margin. This won’t do NC State any good, as they will be tired out and out-witted by a Tarheels defense that will adjust. However, if NC State can match this intensity or do it better, then I think this will be much more of a game than we’ve thought we had.
How North Carolina Can Win
Keep the defensive trend going and shoot at a higher percentage. In their last two, the Tarheels have held their opponents to under 69 and at an average of 61.5 a game. This would more than do the job against the Wolfpack, assuming that North Carolina’s offense could keep on scoring. Watch for North Carolina to keep a mid-line tempo, with their only fast moving possessions coming from fast breaks.
Players to Watch:
NC State: It is safe to say that Torin Dorn will be the most impactful player for NC State every game. This mostly is the result of NC State needing a strong assists leader or scoring leader for a win. Dorn will need to move the ball quickly and find opportunities to get his Wolfpack ahead.
North Carolina: Cameron Johnson is a senior guard for the Tarheels and has been the root of their great shooting percentage. Johnson shoots at a 51.6% from the field and needs to keep this rate tonight. Watch for Johnson to get well over his season average of 16 points tonight.
Score Prediction:
The Wolfpack haven’t had a superb game recently and I think this trend continues tonight. The Tarheels are scoring to much and against too good of teams for them not to put NC State away. Look for a dominant and brutal win for the Tarheels against the Wolfpack. UNC 83, NC State 67
Photo Credits: http://acc.blogs.starnewsonline.com/34636/uncs-strickland-reluctantly-acknowledges-that-state-is-a-good-team/
