NC State ranks seventh in offensive efficiency since Jan. 1, and the Wolfpack are 6-1 in true road games. This will be a fast-paced, high-scoring shootout between two comparably talented teams. Louisville has covered four straight and seven of eight in this series, but I bet Will Wade's team to keep it close on Big Monday.

Louisville has covered in four straight against the Wolfpack, despite being 1-3 SU in those games. These are two very similar teams, stats wise. However, NC State has versatility on defense to be able to limit the Cardinals three-point volume which could end up being the difference maker, along with protecting the ball edge to NC State.

After six straight wins, has Will Wade's NC State moved far enough away from the Selection Sunday cut-line to be considered a lock for the Big Dance? Wade worked the portal masterfully in the offseason, the result a balanced lineup with five double-digit scorers led by ex-Texas Tech F Darrion Williams at 15 ppg. NCS hits from all angles, too, scoring nearly 86 ppg and connecting on better than 40% beyond the arc, where it ranks seventh nationally. The 'Ville looks good for the Dance and the recent return of star frosh G Mikel Brown Jr (15.4 ppg) is a plus, but the Cards have done most of their winning in the ACC vs. teams in the bottom half of the table. Play NC State

Big ACC match with NC State at 9-2 in the conference, visiting Louisville, who are 7-4 in the conference. NC State is 6-1 in road games this year. They are picking up momentum at the right time of the season, winning six games straight. Louisville has had an easy time of it during their three-game win streak, being a favorite of 9.5 or more, and they're only 2-8 against the spread in the last 10. We're buying high and selling low in a spot where Louisville should be only a 1.5-point favorite. NC State gets the job done tonight with help from its 40.2% shooting from 3-point range, which ranks 7th nationally. NC State to win.

The Wolfpack have been dynamite on the road in ACC play, going 6-0 and logging wins against likely tournament teams Clemson and SMU. Louisville, on the other hand, has been a fairly inconsistent and streaky team recently. The Cards are 3-7 against the spread since Jan. 1 and rely heavily on the 3-point shot for their offense, even though the team is shooting just 32.8% from behind the arc in conference play. A Louisville win in a big Monday night game at home would not be a shock, but the Pack are too frisky to give multiple possessions of points on the spread.