NC State (+3.5) at South Carolina - 11:00am Pacific - Game 745-746

This is a tight-nit and experienced Wolfpack team.  They know and run Herb Sendek's system well.  They play good defense and for the most part play smart fundamental basketball.  They were thrown to the wolves a bit early in game at Michigan but did not embarrass themselves at all holding a lead for a good part of the game and stayed competitive throughout.  They did this despite playing two freshman guards Mike O'Donnell and Engin Astur big minutes out of necessity.  Neither hurt the team but did not have good games either in their first career college road game.  They should be much better prepared the second time around.  Junior Julius Hodge is a flat out star and makes everyone around him better.  Sophomore forward Illian Evtimov is a really good looking player who will continue to improve as he shakes off rust from missing all of last season due to knee injury.  He is another player who makes teammates better.  Senior forward Marcus Melvin and senior guard Scooter Sherrill are experienced double digit scorers.  Junior forward Levi Watkins is another experienced player who can do a little bit of everything.  The Wolfpack get some much needed depth and size added to their frontline today as 6-10 junior center Jordan Collins becomes eligible.  Collins was highly recruited out of high school but has had a disappointing career thus far.  Herb Sendek insists Collins has made strides in the offseason, is playing with much more confidence, and will have a bigger impact this year.

 

I still see some value going against the Gamecocks.  They were beaten pretty soundly at Temple and even though this will be at home, the Wolfpack will be the best team South Carolina has faced all season.  Two Gamecock starters, forward Terrance Kinsey (concussion) and guard Josh Garner (violation of team rules) sat out win over Charleston Southern on Wednesday night.  They are both expected to return to action Saturday but head coach Odom says he has not yet decided on a starting lineup.  Reserve guard Jarod Gerald was dismissed from the team.  Senior forward Rolando Howell, the teams top inside player and best rebounder has not played yet this season and remains suspended.

 

I like the makeup of this NC State team.  They are fun to watch.  Once either of the freshman guards settles in and big man Collins begins to contribute this team is going to be a tough out for anyone.  Take the points.

 

NC State  1 UNIT