Game Preview: Pack Looks to Finish Season On a High Note

NC STATE UNIVERSITY vs. MIAMI HURRICANES

Game Time: 12pm
Location: Miami, FL
Television: Raycom

Today at noon the Wolfpack will take on the Miami Hurricanes in search of the series sweep. Miami was hot out of the gate but has since cooled considerably. The two teams meet with what doesn't seem to be a lot on the line; however, a win by the Pack would move them above Miami in the standings and also allow the chance for them to tie with VT for 8th in the conference (if VT loses). Finishing off the season at 7-9 is a respectable record, especially if you look at how strong the ACC has been this year. The reason for the Wolfpack awakening has been the recent play of the underclassmen. CJ Williams, Tracy Smith, and Javi Gonzalez have stepped up big and have matured before our eyes. Against Boston College, Ben McCauley and Courtney Fells both got back in the swing of things (before Fells left with an injury). If the seniors can keep it up and Brandon Costner can get things rolling here at the end, State may have a real shot at making another ACC run.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Today the Pack need to focus on Miami and that means focusing on stopping Jack McClinton. Courtney Fells has in the past been the Pack's defensive stopper, but with him being questionable with a sore groin, it may be Javi Gonzalez who needs to take on that role. Miami has a physical frontcourt, but Smith, McCauley, and Costner aren't exactly easy to push around. If Gonzalez can continue to grow and be safe with the basketball, and the Pack can disrupt McClinton, this could be a nice victory and confidence boost heading into the ACC Tournament.