Fansided

5 bold predictions for the Sweet 16

By Andrew Garda

Mar 22, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Wichita State Shockers mascot and cheerleaders perform during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Wichita State Shockers mascot and cheerleaders perform during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 14, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Anthony Barber (12) dribbles against Louisville Cardinals guard/forward Wayne Blackshear (25) during the second half at KFC Yum! Center. N.C. State defeated Louisville 74-65. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Anthony Barber (12) dribbles against Louisville Cardinals guard/forward Wayne Blackshear (25) during the second half at KFC Yum! Center. N.C. State defeated Louisville 74-65. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

NC State beats Louisville again

Another upset? Sure, why not?

After all, we’ve seen this game before. Back in November, N.C. State traveled to play Louisville at the KFC Yum! Center (really?) and handed the Cardinals a 74-65 loss.

Of course, it’s about more than a win back in the regular season, but you can take that win as a healthy reminder that Louisville can be beat, even by a lowly 8 seed.

The Wolfpack has already taken down a high seed in Villanova, and they looked like they outclassed the Wildcats and they dominated them at the glass, ending up with a 45-32 advantage in rebounds.

That’s one of the ways they beat Louisville the first time as well, out-working them at the glass, 47-37. Overall, the Wolfpack won the game inside, scoring 32 points in the paint compared to 16 by the Cardinals.

Back in more recent times, N.C. State held Villanova largely in check as well, as aside from a monumental day by Darrun Hilliard (27 points), the Wildcats’ offense was strangled, with only JayVaughn Pinkston in double-digits for scoring and Villanova held to just 31 percent shooting from the floor.

Nova, which had been solid from 3-point range all season, also fell on its face from long range, going just 9-for-28. They were outrebounded (39-29), and out-scored inside by a ridiculous margin, 34-14.

All this paints a picture of a streaking Wolfpack team which is poised to replicate what they did to Louisville the first time around.

Yes, it’s hard to beat the same team twice, but the way N.C. State is playing and the fact that it’s not at Louisville (where the Wolfpack won anyway) make the outcome point towards a Wolfpack Elite 8 appearance.

Next: West Virginia’s Devin Williams will have a huge game

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