GAME NOTES: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts is the site of tonight's ACC clash between the hometown Boston College Eagles and the NC State Wolfpack. NC State carried a two-game win streak into Saturday's game against Maryland and led on the road at intermission. Unfortunately, the Terps came fighting back and handed the Wolfpack an 84-70 defeat. NC State is a disappointing 4-5 in league play, overshadowing a 15-8 overall mark, and the team is 2-6 in true road games. As for Boston College, it is desperate to halt a six-game skid. The Eagles are coming off a 90-80 loss to Duke on Saturday, and their 12-10 overall record is clearly overshadowed by a 3-6 mark in ACC play. Boston College owns a 5-1 edge in the series with NC State, including a 74-58 decision over the Wolfpack last season.

Freshman frontcourt performer J.J. Hickson continues to pace NC State, as he is scoring 15.2 ppg on 60 percent shooting from the floor. Hickson is also pulling down 8.2 rpg and has blocked 36 shots, both of which are team-highs. Gavin Grant is netting 14.0 ppg on the strength of his 41.9 percent shooting from three-point range, and he is tops with 65 assists. The third and final double- digit scorer for the Wolfpack is Courtney Fells with 11.1 ppg. NC State is scoring 67.9 ppg while allowing 67.2 ppg, a differential that was much greater before the start of league play. Grant score 17 points against Maryland on Saturday, while Hickson and Fells added 14 points apiece. The Wolfpack only committed nine turnovers in that clash, but a 36-26 rebounding disadvantage and a 12-7 deficit in points from the foul line played a major role in the setback.

Boston College depends heavily on Tyrese Rice to be effective at the offensive end every time out. So far this season, Rice is averaging 21.1 ppg, and for as much as he has the ball in his hands, the fact that he has only committed 30 turnovers is impressive. Rakim Sanders is the squad's only other double-digit scorer, as he is posting 11.2 ppg despite the fact that he has only attempted 15 free throws to date. The Eagles are generating 75.3 ppg while allowing 79.0 ppg to the opposition. Against Duke, Rice exploded for 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the floor, and he also dished out seven assists. Unfortunately, he didn't get enough help from the supporting cast in the setback. The Eagles did shoot an impressive 55.2 percent from the floor, but 21 turnovers and a 20-9 disadvantage in points from the charity stripe hurt the cause.

While Boston College has the advantage of playing at home, give a narrow edge to NC State tonight. The Wolfpack will find a way to win by a narrow margin.