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GAME NOTES: In Second Round action of the Glenn Wilkes Classic the Akron Zips and the NC State Wolfpack will collide on the floor at the Ocean Center this afternoon.

The Wolfpack had very little trouble in their season-opener, as they defeated Georgia State, 69-53. It was a strong showing for NC State in this new season, as the team is trying to improve on last year's 16-14 mark. When the Wolfpack are done with this tournament the team will return home to take on New Orleans.

As for the Zips, they shockingly lost their season-opener at home, falling to Austin Peay, 80-77. Akron, which usually plays well at home, still has an outstanding 37-8 mark in front of a home crowd since the start of the 2006-07 campaign. The Zips will have plenty of chances to grab wins at home after this tournament, as Akron will host seven of its next eight games once the team leaves Daytona Beach.

The Wolfpack have won both of their previous meetings against Akron, but this will be the first showdown between the two schools since 1988.

The Wolfpack did not perform well offensively in their opener against Georgia State,, but the team still managed to grab a victory. NC State shot a pedestrian 40.8 percent from the floor in the contest, and made a mere 3-of-16 shots from long range. Tracy Smith had a tremendous debut, as the forward posted a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Smith will now have to step up into a leading role for NC State after contributing just 10.0 ppg and 4.5 rpg a year ago. Julius Mays added 16 points off the bench for NC State, while Dennis Horner tallied 15 points. Gonzalez did not post double figures in the win, but he still had a solid outing by netting eight points, to go along with eight rebounds and eight assists.

The Zips might still be stunned from their season-opening loss to Austin Peay. Akron led for the majority of the contest against the Governors, but fell apart in the final minutes of regulation, allowing Austin Peay to go on a 17-0 run and steal away a victory. Akron did not do much with the ball however, as the team shot just 40.9 percent from the floor, and also struggled from behind the arc (8-of-22) and from the charity stripe (15-of-25). Steve McNees led the way with 14 points off the bench, while Anthony Hitchens added 12 points and four assists. Chris McKnight shot just 2-of-7 from the field, but still managed to score 11 points for Akron, while Zeke Marshall contributed a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds. McKnight is the top returning scorer for the Zips, as the forward posted 9.2 ppg a year ago and also pulled down 4.7 rpg. However, for the Zips to enjoy success throughout the year, McKnight will have to step up his contributions.

Neither team shot well in their respective matchups, but the Wolfpack look to be the stronger team offensively, and should be able to get past Akron.