Thursday, Jan. 26
N.C. State (15-5, 4-1) at North Carolina (16-3, 4-1)
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Chapel Hill, N.C., Dean Smith Center (21,750)
Fast break: Finally, one of the great rivalries in college basketball gets a jolt because the Wolfpack is a formidable foe for the Tar Heels. State has the talent and makeup to beat the Heels, even in its hallowed hall. The question is if it will play solid enough defense to slow down the potent Heels. Carolina will play its first game without starting shooting guard Dexter Strickland, who is out for the season after tearing his ACL at Virginia Tech last Thursday. Reggie Bullock will start in his place, which makes the Tar Heels longer and should give them more fire power out of the gate.
Forecast: UNC, 86-77.
Boston College (7-12, 2-3) at Virginia (15-3, 2-2)
When: 9 p.m.
Where: Charlottesville, VA, John Paul Jones Arena (16,500)
Fast break: UVa needs to learn how to play without center Assane Sene, who is out for the next 5-6 weeks with an injury. Sammy Zeglinski needs to start hitting his shots, Joe Harris will need to get more shots, and Mike Scott needs to be more judicious with his shots. BC will play hard, but just doesn’t have what it takes to notch a victory in this contest.
Forecast: Virginia, 67-52.
Andrew Jones’ record: 150-40
