Tonight, it's the round 2 rematch at the RBC center between North Carolina
and NC State. Right now, Roy Williams has my vote for ACC coach of the year
but there is plenty to be determined...just look at Virginia's upset of #11
Boston College last night in Hooville. With a win tonight, NC State not only
snaps a 5 game losing streak to Carolina, the Pack would put a vise grip on
2nd place in the ACC.

Carolina is much better now than they were when they beat NC State by 13 in
early January. Tyler Hansbrough is just a monster player and the talent is
spilling out of Reyshawn Terry. What a great option for Hansbrough to
have...kick out to Terry for the shot or he can drive to the rack. NC State
is going to have match-up problems with these 2 guys. Cedric Simmons CANNOT
get in foul trouble like he did in Chapel Hill. Maybe let Andrew Brackman
body up with Hansbrough for a few minutes and the guards will have to crash
down to help the big fellas.

Better get the track shoes ready because the Heels want that running game in
high gear. NC State isn't known for their fleetness of foot and that could
be a problem tonight. Will Ilian Evtimov play??? Even at 100% the
multi-tasker would finish second to Roy Williams in a foot race...and the
Coach's back is flaring up again! If the 3 balls-a-fallin then State has a
good chance to win. They were 8 for 20 in the 1st meeting. A little closer
in, it was at the free throw line where Carolina bagged a bunch of points.
The Heels were 26 of 28...NC State was 11 of 14. Attacking teams get to the
free throw line which kills the conspiracy theory that "some teams" get all
the calls.

Herb Sendek is 5-16 against North Carolina...4 of those wins came in the
Matt Doherty era. A loss by NC State wouldn't kill their season but it would
sure raise the blood pressure of the "red coats". (Those are the big money
givers in the Wolfpack club.) I would be MORE surprised to see NC State win
than Carolina but I'm picking the Pack at home to finally crack the
Carolina safe.

Jeff Gravley