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The Syracuse Orange have taken over the top spot in the latest AP poll, and they will attempt to remain unbeaten this evening when they take on the NC State Wolfpack in Raleigh.
It has been 32 years since the Wolfpack last hosted a non-conference opponent ranked No. 1, and the program is 5-24 all-time against the nation's top team. This season, the Wolfpack are a solid 6-3 overall, and they did manage to halt a recent two-game slide with a 65-60 victory over North Carolina Central last Sunday. Of the six games that the club has played at home thus far, five have resulted in wins.
Syracuse owns a 3-1 series lead over NC State after last season's 65-59 decision over the Wolfpack.
While Syracuse competes in the loaded Big East, NC State is a member of the highly competitive ACC and figures to rely heavily on its offensive balance once league play begins. There are five players on the Wolfpack roster averaging double figures in scoring, and C.J. Leslie leads the attack with 12.8 ppg. Scott Wood (12.5 ppg), Lorenzo Brown (12.3 ppg), C.J. Williams (12.0 ppg) and Richard Howell (11.9 ppg) round out the group for NC State, which is generating 76.1 ppg while permitting 71.4 ppg to opponents. The Wolfpack have been strong on the boards, ripping down 6.1 rpg more than the opposition. Williams was most impressive in the five-point win over NC Central last time out, as he posted a career-high 21 points in what was his 100th career game for the Wolfpack. NC State won the game despite 37 percent shooting from the floor and 16 turnovers, and Wood's 19-point effort obviously helped the cause.
The game will be televised on ESPN2. Watch it.
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G'ORANGE!