SMU at home is always a tough road trip for ACC opponents. In February that can sway as the grind of ACC play rises. SMU so far has been excellent at home where their only conference loss was by four points against Virginia. NC State could show tired legs early as this is their fourth road game out of their last five, but the experience of a veteran transfer class is starting to show. Tail the Wolf Pack to get their fifth straight win.

Will Wade has NC State on the move and well inside most Bracketology projections, the majority of which slotting the Wolfpack as an 8 of 9 seed in recent forecasts. Impressive wins in four straight, tallying a brisk 86 pg in that stretch, and NCS showing uncommon scoring balance (four scoring between 14=15 ppg, led by ex-Texas Tech F Darrion Williams), fuel the optimism. Meanwhile, Andy Enfield's Mustangs are riding the bubble into February, losing four of the last seven, including a discouraging second-half collapse on Saturday at Louisville. Play NC State