By Teddy Greenstein
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Greetings from the RBC Center, which has hosted Bruce Springsteen and Beyonce, but never John Shurna.
That will change tonight when Northwestern takes on North Carolina State in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The top is slated for 6 p.m., and ESPNU will televise the game (with former Bull Jay Williams providing analysis).
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Greetings from the RBC Center, which has hosted Bruce Springsteen and Beyonce, but never John Shurna.
That will change tonight when Northwestern takes on North Carolina State in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The top is slated for 6 p.m., and ESPNU will televise the game (with former Bull Jay Williams providing analysis).
Couple of things to watch for tonight:
-- How will NU's young players, guys like Shurna and freshmen Drew Crawford and Alex Marcotullio, respond to a hostile environment? It won't be that hostile, though. This place ain't Cameron Indoor Stadium. It seats 19,700 for hoops and a crowd of about 11,000 is expected.
--- How will Northwestern handle Tracy Smith, the Wolfpack's 6-foot-8, 247-pound forward? Smith is a back-to-the-basket guy who touches the ball on nearly every possession. He is averaging a double-double (16.2 points and 10.4 rebounds). Let's not forget that the Wildcats did a terrific job keeping Luke Harangody (Notre Dame) and Craig Brackins (Iowa State) in check. Both big men are All-America candidates.
-- Will the 5-0 Wolfpack bring out the S.W.A.T patrol? They blocked 14 shots in their last game, a 69-52 victory over New Orleans. Then again, they rejected just two offerings against Auburn.
-- How will NU's young players, guys like Shurna and freshmen Drew Crawford and Alex Marcotullio, respond to a hostile environment? It won't be that hostile, though. This place ain't Cameron Indoor Stadium. It seats 19,700 for hoops and a crowd of about 11,000 is expected.
--- How will Northwestern handle Tracy Smith, the Wolfpack's 6-foot-8, 247-pound forward? Smith is a back-to-the-basket guy who touches the ball on nearly every possession. He is averaging a double-double (16.2 points and 10.4 rebounds). Let's not forget that the Wildcats did a terrific job keeping Luke Harangody (Notre Dame) and Craig Brackins (Iowa State) in check. Both big men are All-America candidates.
-- Will the 5-0 Wolfpack bring out the S.W.A.T patrol? They blocked 14 shots in their last game, a 69-52 victory over New Orleans. Then again, they rejected just two offerings against Auburn.
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