GAME NOTES: NC State Takes on EKU at 8pm

NC State Wolfpack vs Eastern Kentucky Colonels
8pm | ESPN 3 | PNC Arena – Raleigh, NC

NC State is coming off what was likely their best performance of the season. TJ Warren led the way with huge help from Cat Barber and Jordan Vandenberg as they took down a very talented (but shorthanded) Florida Gulf Coast team. Tonight they face another talented mid-major team that has a good chance at winning their conference this season.

Opponent: Eastern Kentucky (6-1)

Get to know Eastern Kentucky: Mark Gottfried isn’t messing around with his scheduling. While Eastern Kentucky might not be a household name, they are a very quality opponent. Coming off a 25 in season and their first postseason win in 68 years (CIT), the Colonels are starting to get some recognition. This season they are the favorite to win the Ohio Valley Conference thanks to a lot of returning talent.

Who have they beat this year?: Here is another team that is about to really get their first challenge. They biggest names they’ve beat are FIU and Kennesaw. Their only loss this season has come at the hands of Youngstown State, a team that has actually been pretty impressive this season.

Who are their top players? They did lose their go-to guy from last season. Mike DiNunno(15 ppg, and 4 assists) was really the guy that made their offense go. The senior point guard did it all for the Colonels last year, but all is not lost with him graduating. Glenn Cosey, a 6 ft guard who came in from Columbus State Community College is a true scorer and a real playmaker. Cosey is currently leading the team in scoring at 19ppg. This is coming on the heels of a sophomore year where he scored 18ppg at his community college.

Can NC State beat them? This is a talented team, but if State plays anywhere near as well as they played vs. FGCU, then they shouldn’t have a problem. State has the definite advantage in the paint where EKU is small and has had trouble on the boards, but it will be a test for Cat Barber and Dez Lee who will need to step up and show their shutdown defensive skills against Cosey. EKU will certainly have trouble keeping up with State’s pace of play and they really don’t have anyone to match up with Warren, but again, this team is talented and has years under their belt, so the Pack can’t take them lightly.