Virginia begins the grueling ACC schedule Saturday on the road against NC State.
Virginia (8-4) has not exactly been lighting the hardwood-world on fire lately, and the Wolfies have a top five ACC scoring leader in Tracy Smith (17.6 ppg). NC State (11-4) lost it’s first conference game December 20th to Wake, and have been plagued by somewhat erratic play.
Tony Bennett’s crew needs to steal this win on-the-road if they see any chance at making the post-season. I know it’s early, but the UVA hoops team has been miserable on the road under Pete Gillen and Dave Leitao, and winning his first-ever ACC game for Bennett would be huge! The Hoos have won four in a row, but really only played well against UAB, and NC State has won three of their past four games. Unfortunately, several of the teams that Virginia has beaten no one has ever heard of! New Jersey Institute of Technology? Texas-Pan American? Who?
Las Vegas sports-books have the spread as NC State being favored by 4.5 points. I think Virginia loses this game 73-63. What do you think ACC fans? Can the Hoos pull off the early-season upset? Can Virginia make the post-season this year? Can Jeff Jones get back his sweet stroke? GO HOOS!
