One last regular season home game for Ben McCauley, Courtney Fells, and almost certainly Brandon Costner. Will they go out with a bang, or a whimper? Vegas is banking on the former, with the Pack a surprising 4 point favorite in tonight’s contest.
Both teams need a win. Boston College needs 1 more ACC win to cement their NCAAT invitation (they get GT at home this weekend), and perhaps 2 more wins would elevate the Eagles above the “ejector seat” – i.e., an 8 or 9 seed. NC State needs at least 1 more win to make the NIT, and 2 to feel really comfortable. This is especially true if 2 or more of Miami/VT/MD drop into the NIT field.
More importantly, NC State needs its fanbase not to fall into despair, as it surely will with another half-hearted effort like Sunday night’s. Wolfpack fans are legendary in their ability to grasp at straws of hope – but the limits are being sorely tested.
Section Six has a nice statistical preview, and also rightly notes that the dismal first half pounding in Chestnut Hill finally got Tracy Smith into the game at the same time as our other bigs. Can NC State leverage its significant front court advantage tonight, or will Tyrese Rice add a statement game to his first team all-ACC resume? We’ll find out tonight – and I have no idea what to expect.
