Momentum prior to the tournament can be rated on different scales depending on the team. For NC State their momentum is on a higher scale after winning five games in five days. Experience is on their side with DJ Horne who was apart of last year’s eleven seed with ASU. They also can withstand runs which may be their biggest tournament quality. Take the points with NC State.

NC State won five games in five days to win the ACC title. This seems like a possible flat spot for the Wolfpack, who gave everything they had to get to this point. Texas Tech played the tougher competition in their conference on a weekly basis. The Red Raiders were the best free throw shooting team in the Big-12 with an above average defense. Texas Tech struggled with the Cougars end their conference tournament, but the Wolfpack’s defense is not Houston’s.

The pundits have been overlooking NC State for more than a week now and we were surprised that none seemed to take the Wolfpack more seriously after the adrenaline rush in D.C. when winning five games in five days to steal the ACC's auto bid. A plus for NCS is that it doesn't have to rely upon 3s, indeed taking only about 17 pg last week at Cap One, with the ability to dump the ball to bruising 6-9, 275-lb D.J. Burns inside. Re: Texas Tech, wondering just a bit about Big 12 reps, which we suspect might be a tad overrated, and for what it's worth failed to cover all three tries in first round NIT action. Play NCS (NCAA at Pittsburgh)

NC State won five games in five days to capture the ACC Tournament last Saturday. A Friday NCAA Tournament opener would have been better for the Wolfpack, in terms of recharging the batteries, but I'll still grab the points with this surging team. Texas Tech leading rebounder Darrion Williams (11.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.4 apg, 50 percent shooting) injured his ankle last Thursday in the win over BYU. While he's expected to play, he might not be 100 percent. It's also unclear if big man Warren Washington (foot) will return, and if so, for how many minutes. Look for senior DJ Horne (16-plus points in three of his last four games) to at least keep the Wolfpack close.

NC State had an amazing run in the ACC Tournament to get into this field. The Wolfpack lost four straight to close out the regular season, but then won five straight to win the ACC Tournament, closing out with the win against North Carolina, who became a No. 1 seed. Will NC State stay hot? Likely yes, the Wolfpack will stay hot with the success recipe they found. They shot 55% against UNC, who shot 37% in the championship game. I’m willing to bet on NC State plus the points to find out if it's a fluke.