The KFC Yum! Center is sure to be packed tonight as the #23 Louisville Cardinals (13-5) are set to host the #21 NC State Wolfpack (15-3). Louisville is coming right off a surging win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, in a game that they rebounded at a high rate. And for NC State, they are walking in with a slick win over Notre Dame earlier this week.
How Louisville Can Win
Maintaining a slow pace and showing a strong presence in the paint. The Cardinals are preparing to take on a team that scores fast and plenty, but also can out-rebound teams without effort. This is alarming for a Louisville team that likes to play the game a bit slower. However, all of Louisville’s problems can be fixed if they set the tone of slower, but very meaningful, drives with lots of rebounding on the offense and defense.
How NC State Can Win
Shoot even better than they are already. The Wolfpack down in Raleigh already shoot at an insane 49%, which is 17th best in the league. However, if just for a game the Wolfpack can bump this up by 1-2%, they may be able tot run away with it. Everything else, if i goes according to plan, would balance this mark and help boost the Wolfpack to victory in a tough road game.
Players to Watch:
Louisville: Jordan Norwa, who runs one of the forward spots for the Cardinals, will be the key piece of a potential victory. Norwa is the team’s leading scorer and rebounder. And with an agenda of rebounding better, I am most looking forward to how Jordan Norwa can adapt further to get his team the win at home.
NC State: For the Wolfpack, the game will have to run through their trusting guard in Torin Dorn. With reaching the mid-point of the season, Dorn shoots at an astounding 50 % from the field. The Wolfpack will want their star guard to shoot perhaps even better against a strong team. Look out for Torin Dorn to have a prime performance tonight against the Cardinals.
Score Prediction:
Don’t get me wrong, North Carolina State is a great basketball team that will have its go in March. However, as of recently, this team has not been themselves and is lucky to walk away with some of their wins. I think NC State goes into Louisville tonight and gets bullied around for most of the game. The Cardinals have just been to consistent in the past two weeks and they’ll look to extend a home streak. Louisville 78, NC State 69
Photos Via: https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/louisville-cardinals-guard-darius-perry-looks-to-the-basket-news-photo/927317900
