Sports

Stack chips on the Pack

N.c. State (+2) over Miami: This is a battle of two teams heading in different directions. In their only meeting of the season, Miami won 79-78 in Carolina while peaking during a 14-game winning streak. Since that run, the Hurricanes are 3-3. After an underwhelming regular season, the Wolfpack finally are playing up to their immense talent, winning eight of their last 10, with one of the deepest offenses in the nation and a core that nearly made last year’s Elite Eight.

Take the points, and if you’re feeling brave, don’t hesitate to take State without the points.

Indiana (-4 1/2) over Wisconsin: Those pesky Badgers are hard to knock off, with their deliberate style, but the Hoosiers are so efficient offensively — averaging nearly 81 points on 48.8 percent shooting from the field — that Wisconsin will have to speed up at some point to get back in this game. Indiana lost the season’s lone meeting, 64-59, shooting just 37 percent from the field.

Though there are no great teams in college basketball this season, Indiana comes closest. After yesterday’s beatdown of Illinois, the Hoosiers look ready to make a national title run.

Syracuse (+5) over Louisville: I don’t believe in fate, but I know others do. Expect to hear a lot about how it’s only right if the Orange win the Big East championship in their final season. It would be a tremendous achievement, given their struggles heading into the tournament. It won’t be fate, but it would be fitting.

Record: 7-2

2011-12 Record: 48-26-1

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