GAME NOTES: The North Carolina State Wolfpack would like to continue their strong play in the ACC Tournament of late, as they begin play in the 52nd annual event with an opening-round matchup against Florida State this afternoon from the MCI Center in Washington D.C. The Wolfpack have been in two of the last three tournament title games, but will certainly have their work cut out for them this time around, as they attempt to navigate the field as the seven seed. Herb Sendek's squad has had its ups and downs this season but has played well down the stretch. Despite a mediocre 7-9 mark in ACC play this year, NC State has won four of its last six games and took powerhouse Wake Forest to the limit in the season-finale before falling in the final seconds by two points. Leonard Hamilton's Seminoles were supposed to make a monumental leap forward this season, but that never happened, as the squad struggled both on the road and at home this year, en route to a 4-12 league ledger. The poor showing tied Virginia for the worst record in the conference, but FSU got the 10th seed by virtue of a tie-breaker. The Seminoles posted a 70-64 win in Raleigh earlier this season, but are just 1-3 against the Wolfpack in the ACC Tournament. NC State is 56-41 all-time in this event and has won 10 tournament crowns, with the last coming in 1987. FSU is just 5-13 all-time in the tournament and is still in search of its first title.

Leonard Hamilton turns programs around, but it may take another year or two before this team is ready to make a splash in the ACC. A lack of offensive firepower is what the Seminoles really lacked this season, as the team nets just 69.1 ppg, and that simply won't get it done in this ultra-talented conference. Guard Von Wafer is the only reliable scoring option on the roster, but his 12.9 ppg now comes off the bench, after starting 22 games this season. The team's next best scoring option also comes off the bench in Al Thornton (9.1 ppg). Thornton is averaging 15.2 ppg over his last five outings. The top scoring threat among the starting five is forward Adam Waleskowski, who averages 8.6 ppg. The Seminoles had dropped nine straight games heading down the stretch, but were able to end the ugly skein, with a season-ending win over last-place Virginia (68-63).

The Wolfpack have played their best basketball in the postseason the last few years and that trend looks like it is continuing this year. The team has won four of its last six games with the two losses coming against North Carolina and Wake Forest. Former ACC Player of the Year Julius Hodge came up small in the season-finale against Wake Forest (eight points, four rebounds), but will attempt to rebound in the postseason. Everything suggests that he will do just that, as the superbly gifted swingman can do it all. Hodge, who earned Second- Team All-ACC honors this season, leads the team in scoring (17.1 ppg), rebounding (6.9 rpg) and assists (4.5 apg). No other player is averaging double figures heading into the tournament, but both Ilian Evtimov (9.2 ppg) and Engin Atsur (9.1 ppg) can accomplish the feat in any given game.

The Wolfpack always seem to elevate their game when it counts the most and this year should be no different. The Seminoles simply lack the depth to go very far in this event. Hodge ended his career in Raleigh on a sour note, but should be able to make up for it with a stellar performance in the opening round.