Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

GAME NOTES: The two worst teams in the ACC in regard to record will clash in Chapel Hill today, as the NC State Wolfpack take on the defending national champion North Carolina Tar Heels.

NC State is a respectable 14-11 overall, but that mark is clearly overshadowed by a 2-8 ACC mark. On Wednesday, the Wolfpack weren't even competitive in a 72-52 loss to Virginia Tech in front of a deflated home crowd. Now the club hits the road where it is 3-5 this season.

It is hard to believe that North Carolina is 2-7 versus ACC competition and 13-11 overall considering last season's success. It is important to keep in mind, however, that this year's group is much different than the Heels of 2008-09. On Wednesday, UNC suffered its fourth consecutive defeat by a 65-54 final to rival Duke, and three of the losses during the current slump have come by double figures.

North Carolina won the first meeting with NC State by a 77-63 final on January 26th, and the Tar Heels now own a 141-75 series lead over the Wolfpack.

Tracy Smith has clearly been the best player for NC State this season, and he is currently averaging 17.4 ppg on 54.9 percent shooting from the floor. More than just a scorer, Smith also tops the club with 8.3 rpg and 31 blocked shots. The only other double-digit scorer in the fold is Dennis Horner with 12.1 ppg, and Javier Gonzalez provides 9.9 ppg and 95 assists. The Wolfpack are generating 69.4 ppg while allowing 65.6 ppg through 25 outings, but that positive differential is not indicative of the team's play since the start of January. Horner scored 13 points and ripped down 16 rebounds against Virginia Tech earlier this week, while Smith and Josh Davis added 12 points each. Unfortunately, NC State shot just 28.6 percent from the floor in the tilt and finished 0-of-11 from three-point range.

Perhaps the most obvious problem for North Carolina this season is a lack of experience and scoring punch in the backcourt. The two best players for the Heels are clearly frontcourt performers, as Deon Thompson and Ed Davis are both formidable performers, but Davis broke his wrist against Duke and may very well miss the rest of the season. Thompson is netting 14.3 ppg to go along with 6.3 rpg, while Davis compiled 13.4 ppg, 9.6 rpg and a league-best 64 blocks while healthy. A projected NBA lottery pick, Davis will be missed by a North Carolina team that is scoring 78.9 ppg while allowing 73.5 ppg. The Heels played tremendous defense against Duke on Wednesday, holding the Blue Devils to 31.9 percent shooting. Unfortunately, UNC suffered a 51-42 rebounding disadvantage and forced a mere eight turnovers. Poor shooting also contributed to the loss.

Despite the absence of Davis, give the edge to the hometown Heels in this matchup. Smith and the Wolfpack may have something to say about that, but the Smith Center is an awfully tough place to win if you're not wearing Carolina blue.