UNC Greensboro @ NC State preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 22, 2015 ) NC-Greensboro 52, NC State 58

North Carolina State plays for just the third time in the past two weeks Saturday when it hosts UNC Greensboro, but a six-day layoff did not hurt the Wolfpack in their last game Dec. 9 against Missouri-Kansas City. Entering that matchup with six days off after a blowout victory over South Carolina State, the Wolfpack cruised to a 19-point victory as Torin Dorn finished with 22 points and a career-best 17 rebounds – his third consecutive game with double-digit rebounds.

“I feel extremely comfortable,” the 6-5 Dorn told reporters after the game, N.C. State’s eighth victory in 10 games. “I just try to use my quickness because I’m outsized a lot of times.” That strategy is working as the junior guard is averaging 13 rebounds per game in his past three contests and 7.5 boards on the season. The Wolfpack have shaken off losses to Northern Iowa and Tennessee on Thanksgiving weekend, averaging 92 points during a three-game winning streak. The Spartans are 0-2 against the ACC so far this year but were competitive in both contests, falling by 12 at Virginia and by six at Wake Forest.

TV: noon ET, ACC Network Extra

ABOUT UNC GREENSBORO (7-3): The Spartans also have won three in a row, using a 16-4 run to start the second half in a 13-point victory over UNC Wilmington on Wednesday. Junior guard Francis Alonso averages 18.2 points per game, hitting five 3-pointers in Wednesday’s victory, and has made five or more 3-pointers in four of his past seven contests. UNC Greensboro is sixth in the country in scoring defense, allowing just 58.9 points per game while surrendering more than 75 points only once.

ABOUT N.C. STATE (8-2): Senior guard Allerik Freeman leads four players averaging double figures at 15.1 points, despite shooting 36.4 percent from the field. Dorn has been outstanding, scoring 14 points per game while shooting 56 percent overall, and 7-foot sophomore center Omer Yurtseven is averaging 12.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest. The Wolfpack are 26th in the country in steals per game (8.7) and 37th in defending the 3-point shot (29.4 percent).

TIP-INS

1. N.C. State sophomore G Markell Johnson scored a career-high 17 points against UMKC.

2. Freeman has scored in double figures in all 10 games this season.

3. Alonso is seventh in the country in 3-pointers made per game (3.8) and is shooting 45.8 percent from long range.

PREDICTION: N.C. State 75, UNC Greensboro 62