N.C. State vs. Louisville: Game Preview, Prediction

The Louisville Cardinals host the N.C. State Wolfpack in ACC action on Saturday.

Ninth-ranked Louisville is 20-4 overall and 8-3 in the ACC. Rick Pitino and his team are still in the mix for the conference title, though they would need some help. The Cardinals have won five of their last six games overall and their schedule is very manageable over the next five games.

Louisville has four players that do almost all of the team’s scoring. Sophomore guard Terry Rozier leads the way, averaging 18.5 points per game. Junior forward Montrezl Harrell posts 15.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per contest. Senior guard Chris Jones scores 13.3 points per outing, while senior forward Wayne Blackshear posts 10.6 points per game.

N.C. State got off to a strong start this year, but Mark Gottfried and his team have struggled lately, losing five of their last six. In fact, since starting the season 8-1, N.C. State has gone 6-10.

Junior guard Trevor Lacey continues to play well for the Wolfpack. Lacey leads the team in scoring at 16.6 points per game, and is third in rebounding, averaging 4.5 boards per game. Senior guard Ralston Turner scores 12.7 points per contest.

This is the classic battle between two teams headed in opposite directions. Louisville is playing for NCAA Tournament seeding, while N.C. State hopes to keep its head above water and perhaps make the NIT. The Cardinals’ inside game will be too much for the Wolfpack to handle and Louisville will move to 21-4 on the season with a fairly easy victory.

Final score prediction: Louisville 72, N.C. State 57

Tim Letcher is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TimLetcher , on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.