2009-2010 ACC Previews: NC State

LCB believes that while teams have been playing games since the start of November the real college basketball season does not begin until conference play is in full gear. Over the next couple of weeks, we will preview each ACC team by remembering some of the conference's past players that may have gone forgotten in some circles.

Season Outlook: Take away Bryant Reeves' broken backboard and Final Four appearance and what one has is N.C. State great Todd Fuller; an ox of a man, with a bad haircut. In fact, that box top crew cut is the perfect symbol for Wolfpack basketball: out of style but always present. This program's existence marches on like a stubborn military operation, and Final Four dates appear like withdrawal dates that are too distant to resonate in the mind of the general public. Wolfpack fans wait patiently for the next Julius Hodge.

Key Players: F Tracy Smith (Jr.) and F Dennis Horner (Sr.)

Top Newcomer: G/F Scott Wood (Fr.)

Record at Time of Posting: 7-1

Teach's Prediction: 9th in the regular season

Langston's Prediction: 12th in the regular season

Iceman AD's Prediction: 11th in the regular season

Key Games:

W Akron 66-45

W Auburn 60-58

L Northwestern 65-53

W Marquette 77-73

@ Arizona 12/23

Florida 1/03

Clemson 1/16

Duke 1/20

UNC 1/26

@ GA Tech 2/06

VA Tech 2/10

Maryland 2/17

Wake Forest 2/20

@ Miami 2/27

Boston College 3/07