Gameday: NC State Ready for UVA

NC State vs. Virginia
5pm | PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC | ESPN2

In each of the past two seasons, NC State has defeated Virginia in the ACC Tournament. In Mark Gottfried’s two seasons at NCSU, the Wolfpack and the Cavaliers have tied in the league standings. The close proximity of the two teams makes Saturday’s tilt vs. Virginia a very important game.

Coming off an impressive win at Notre Dame, Gottfried has the Wolfpack focused on the next game.

“We have 18 games, and they all count for one,” Gottfried said. “You can be excited if you have a nice win. But you have to be ready to play the next night. And our young guys are trying to figure that out.”

Virginia (11-4, 2-0) enters Saturday’s game after double-digit wins over Florida State and Wake Forest. The Cavaliers are led by preseason All-ACC pick Joe Harris (10.3 ppg).

“They’re playing their best basketball,” Gottfried said of the Cavaliers. “Against Wake Forest, they were terrific. They’re playing well. They have a lot of confidence.”

The Wolfpack (11-4, 2-0) won 77-70 at Notre Dame on Tuesday with one of the season’s more balanced offensive attacks. Leading scorer T.J. Warren tallied a team-high 17 points, but he was supported by Anthony ‘Cat’ Barber with 16 and Desmond Lee and Ralston Turner each scored 12. Barber also made a half-court shot as time expired in the first half, a play that gave the Wolfpack a halftime lead as well as some momentum.

Following Saturday’s contest, NC State will play at Wake Forest Wednesday, Jan. 15.