Pack Has a Lot to Gain in Gainesville

NC STATE WOLFPACK vs. FLORIDA GATORS

LOCATION: Gainesville, Florida
TIME: 4pm
TELEVISION: CBS

Overall, it's been a pretty good season to date for the Wolfpack. Gone are the chemistry issues, the selfish play, and the point guard problems. But State is still looking for it's first "big" win, it's first exclamation point that lets the rest of the ACC and the nation know that there's something worth watching down in Raleigh. The Pack will have that chance on Saturday when they square off against the 11-2 Florida Gators. Top guard Nick Calathes, Alex Tyus, and familiar face, Dan Werner, anchor a hungry UF team looking to prove they're the team to beat in the SEC and that early losses to Syracuse and in-state rival Florida State were mere bumps in the road.

Florida coach Billy Donovan has his own little link to the Wolfpack...Dan Werner...sound familiar? It should. He was once a 4 star commit here to NC State, but changed his mind after Herb decided to leave for Arizona State. He's struggled to find a real niche the past few years but seems to be settling in just fine this season, averaging 10 points and 5 boards per game.

One key for the Wolfpack will be to keep Calathes in check and out of the lane. Averaging almost 15 points and 7 assists per game, Calathes has the skills to single-handily carve you up on offense. Remember what happened last year when we allowed Greivis Vasquez from Maryland to get into the lane whenever he wanted? 13 points and 15 assists later the Pack was walking out with a 15 point loss on their back and their pride in the mud. Calathes can do exactly that if given the opportunity; but believe it or not, he can do it at a higher level. Another key for the Pack will be to punish Florida in the post. McCauley, Costner, and Smith will need to be active and efficient if they're going to win. And the last key, as always: point guard play. With Javi Gonzalez likely back, the Pack will be able to throw a 3 headed monster at the Gators. Degand and Mays will most likely see some time together which might help in keeping the Florida guards out of the paint and away from the basket.

A Saturday afternoon slated for national TV, you can bet recruits will be watching, and this is as good a chance as the Pack is going to have to put their name on the tongues of some big name prospects.

RECORD
NC STATE- 9-2
FLORIDA- 11-2

LEADING SCORER
NC STATE- Ben McCauley (14.2)
FLORIDA- Nick Calathes (15.7)

LEADING REBOUNDER
NC STATE- Ben McCauley (8.5)
FLORIDA- Alex Tyus (6.8)

ASSIST LEADER
NC STATE- Javi Gonzalez (3.2)
FLORIDA- Nick Calathes (6.7)

TEAM FG%
NC STATE- 47.2%
FLORIDA- 49%

TEAM REBOUNDING
NC STATE- 39.7 per game
FLORIDA- 35.3 per game