N.C. State vs. North Carolina: Game Preview, Prediction

The North Carolina Tar Heels look for their 20th win of the season when they host the N.C. State Wolfpack on Tuesday night in Chapel Hill.

North Carolina enters the game at 19-8 overall and 9-5 in the ACC. The Tar Heels won seven of their first eight league games, but have lost four of their last six. On Saturday, North Carolina smashed the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 89-60 at the Dean Smith Center.

Marcus Paige continues to lead North Carolina in scoring, averaging 13.6 points per game. Sophomore Kennedy Meeks averages 12.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest, while junior forward Brice Johnson posts 12.8 points per game.

N.C. State is 16-11 overall and 7-7 in ACC play. The Wolfpack have won their last two games, including an impressive 74-65 road win over the Louisville Cardinals on Valentine’s Day.

Trevor Lacey leads N.C. State in scoring, averaging 16.4 points per outing. Ralston Turner averages 12.8 points, while Anthony Barber scores 11.7 points per outing.

This will be the second matchup between the teams this season. In January, North Carolina snuck out of Raleigh with an 81-79 win. Paige had 23 points and nine assists in the game to lead the Tar Heels. Turner had 20 for the Wolfpack.

North Carolina is playing for NCAA Tournament seeding at this point, while N.C. State could use another resume-boosting win to help their chances to get into the field of 68. This will be the last chance for N.C. State to play a ranked team in the regular season, so Mark Gottfried and his team need to take advantage of that opportunity. But it won’t be easy in the Dean Dome.

Final score prediction: North Carolina 78, N.C. State 74

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.