Column: Scouting NC State

Who: NC State (5-1)
What: Big Ten/ACC Challenge
When: 7:15 p.m. today
Where: RBC Center, Raleigh, N.C.
How: ESPN 2, IU Radio Network, live audio on IUHoosiers.com

Scouting NC State
Conference ACC
Head coach Mark Gottfried, first season
Last season 15-16, no postseason
Leading scorer Sophomore forward No. 5 C.J. Leslie, 16.7 ppg
Leading rebounder Junior forward No. 1 Richard Howell, 8.8 rpg

Projected starters:

G Jordan Hulls 9.7 ppg
G Verdell Jones III 9.3 ppg
G Victor Oladipo 12.3 ppg
F Christian Watford 9.7 ppg
C Cody Zeller 14.8 ppg

G Lorenzo Brown 13.2 ppg
G C.J. Williams 10.2 ppg
F Tyler Harris 4.0 ppg
F Richard Howell 13.7 ppg
C DeShawn Painter 11.0 ppg

My take:
As a currently unemployed wide receiver once said, “Getcha’ popcorn ready.”

The Wolfpack will give IU its biggest challenge yet, and you better believe an unfriendly sea of red will await the Hoosiers in Raleigh.

After sitting out the first three games of the season for having received $410 worth of impermissible benefits, 6-foot-8-inch sophomore forward C.J. Leslie led NC State in a comeback victory against Texas with 17 points and two blocks. Like the Hoosiers, NC State has been able to find scoring from several different sources this season, with six players averaging point totals in the double digits.

If IU Coach Tom Crean beats the Wolfpack and garners his first Big Ten/ACC Challenge victory, it will be the biggest non-conference win of the season, barring a miracle against Kentucky. This could be a win the NCAA Selection Committee looks at very hard if IU holds its own in the Big Ten.

For the Hoosiers to win this game, they will need to continue to be aggressive and get to the foul line while staying out of foul trouble themselves. Feeding the ball to forward Cody Zeller must happen early and often, with a solid defensive effort in the post to limit Leslie and Howell.

However, I give a slight edge to NC State in this matchup because of the tough road environment.

Pick to click: Will Sheehey
Bet to the campus: If IU wins, I’ll make snow angels in my shorts on my house’s front lawn while singing the NC State fight song.