The Boston College Eagles struggled through their out-of-conference schedule leading up to ACC play, but have started off hot thus far within the conference, winning two of their first three games.
BC notched consecutive home wins against Clemson and Virginia Tech, and will travel tonight to play the North Carolina State Wolfpack, who sit at 13-5 overall and 2-1 in the ACC.
The Eagles have endured a season-long struggle on offense, but continue to defend with grit, and showed resolve down the stretch of their two ACC wins in hanging-on to slight leads late in the game.
The task tonight involves containing a North Carolina State team predicated upon a balanced offense, with five players averaging at least 12 points per game (but none more than 12.9). PG Lorenzo Brown is the Wolfpack's floor general, and he averages 6.7 assists per game, good for 7th in the country. The Eagles held Brown in check during the schools' lone meeting last season, as he finished with just seven points in a BC rout.
BC's Dennis Clifford has enjoyed a five game stretch of solid play, averaging over 12 points during that time, including 15 points in each of the Eagles' recent ACC wins.
The Eagles sit just a game back of first-place Duke in the ACC standings, and know they have plenty of work to do to improve their chances for a potential at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. BC afforded itself a slim margin for error with it's 5-9 out of conference record, and understands their only NCAA tournament hopes rest in a strong ACC season.
The tip is set for 8:00 PM ET at the RBC Center tonight, and can be seen at ESPN3.com.
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