3 Units
NC ST -1
Mark it down this will be one of the few times I will play a road favorite this year. I just can't pass what I feel is a great matchup. Although the Pack have a gaudy 7-1 record they have yet to play anyone. In fact their only loss was against the only team that was half decent, which was Davidson. This could be a game that exposes NC ST. Javier Gonzalez is questionable with a lacerated elbow, but I actually want him to play. Gonzo is just a horrific point guard and will get eaten alive by one of the best back courts in the country. It also doesn't help that I don't expect Courtney Fells, one of NC ST's leading scorers, and team leaders to be at 100%. He was upgraded to probable, but only played 6 minutes without scoring in their last game against Lipscomb. For anyone that played basketball and has even sprained an ankle let me tell you first hand they are an absolute bitch to play with, and I don't expect Fells to be able to give his best effort. While Marquette has veterans all over the place, and top shelf guards in James, McNeal, and Mathews the most imporant player tonight will be Lazar Haywood, who has become a force down low. If he can neutralize the front court, which is NC ST's strength with Brandon Costner, and Ben McCauley the Marquette guards should have their way with the Pack guards. In fact I like Hayward's game much more than Costner, and McCauley anyways. I think both are severely over rated, and should be taken out of the game by the Marquette quickness at guard. This Maquette team is much better than NCST, no matter how bad their coach is. They should expose NCST as a fraud tonight