The NC State Wolfpack play host to the Louisville Cardinals on Thursday night in a crucial ACC showdown from PNC Arena. The Cardinals are off to one of their worst starts in recent memory and with only two wins on the season, will be looking for any positive out of this one. For the Wolfpack, their start has been the opposite, as they will be aiming to extend their own winning streak to three games. The two split the series last season but with only three wins in the last ten meetings, the Wolfpack know that this is a prime opportunity for them to show they belong against one of the conference's historic elites.
Louisville has found itself as one of the laughingstocks of college basketball this season and with ACC play getting underway, it doesn't appear that the season will shift much for this group. The Cardinals had won two games in a row but another shocking loss the last time out against Lipscomb has dropped their record to 2-10 on the year. The schedule hasn't been easy but there continues to be no excuse for the Cardinals to struggle the way they have this fall and winter. Going on the road adds another dimension to this team, especially with the youth on this roster. The Cardinals sit at 0-4 away from home and with only a single true road game having been played so far by this group, Thursday night is going to be a challenge.
The Cardinals have one injury to navigate as they come into this one, though it doesn't appear to be a monumental concern. Roosevelt Wheeler (concussion) is questionable and this coul d be his fourth-straight game missed. Averaging only 2.0 ppg, he isn't likely to be missed, though this group can't be without anyone the way that they're playing.
??: @CoachKennyPayne following tonight's game vs Lipscomb, presented by @NeilHuffman https://t.co/v4QiNRq1mA
— Louisville Men's Basketball (@LouisvilleMBB) December 21, 2022
It shouldn't come as a surprise to see the Cardinals struggling this season, especially considering how badly they've continued to play on both sides of the ball. They rank 353rd in scoring, while 287th in scoring defense, which would appear to be a recipe for disaster. Part of the problem has been the lack of consistent help and scoring to keep pace with opponents. El Ellis (17.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg) is the undisputed leader but he can't continue to do things on his own. Especially with NC State's length on defense, he might be slowed down without much issue in this one.