Notre Dame Basketball: Staff Picks - NC State

Pat Rick, Editor (8-5) (18-14)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 82 - Boston College 69 (Michigan State W, Maryland W, South Carolina L, Virginia L)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 87 - North Carolina State Wolfpack 71

“I've got a good feeling about VJ Beachem hitting some (read: many) threes in this one to go along with more of the same from BONZIE. Dennis Smith will play well for NC State but can't do it on his own, and the Irish blow out a reeling Wolfpack team to get to double-digit conference wins and ensure a winning record in conference road games.”

BONUS PICKS

No.3 Kansas @ No.4 Baylor - Kansas
No.14 Virginia @ No.10 North Carolina - North Carolina
USC @ No.6 UCLA - UCLA
Army @ Navy - Navy

Jeff Czerniakowski, Staff Writer (10-3) (16-16)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 78 - Boston College 71 (Michigan State W, Maryland W, South Carolina L, Virginia L)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 83 - North Carolina State Wolfpack 73

“Two teams going in opposite directions right now. Notre Dame is back on track and NC State is in a downward spiral. NC State has some talented players, including potential top 5 pick Dennis Smith Jr., so Notre Dame won't be able to slide by. A sound offensive game from the Irish should be enough to comfortable win this one on the road.”

BONUS PICKS

No.3 Kansas @ No.4 Baylor - Baylor
No.14 Virginia @ No.10 North Carolina - North Carolina
USC @ No.6 UCLA - UCLA
Army @ Navy - Navy

Ryan Chichester, Staff Writer (10-3) (17-15)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 84 - Boston College 74 (Michigan State W, Northwestern L, South Carolina L, Virginia L)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 82 - North Carolina State Wolfpack 77

“I love Mike Brey's new offensive scheme which seems to have the Irish clicking again. Hopefully they can avoid another slow start on the road against a Wolfpack team that is experiencing some inner turmoil right now, but sometimes that can ignite a team. No ACC road game is easy at this point, but Matt Farrell will find the open man at the right time to secure a close win.”

BONUS PICKS

No.3 Kansas @ No.4 Baylor - Kansas
No.14 Virginia @ No.10 North Carolina - North Carolina
USC @ No.6 UCLA - UCLA
Army @ Navy - Army

Brad Wechter, Editor (9-4) (17-15)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 70 - Boston College 62 (Michigan State W, Northwestern L, South Carolina L, Virginia L)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 82 - North Carolina State Wolfpack 69

“If this were football, I would be inclined to feel that playing a team in the chaotic state in which the NC State basketball program finds itself right now is the perfect recipe for loss. The players are apparently quitting on the team, their frustration is boiling over, and it sounds like their coach will be out at the end of the season. All the ingredients of a classic let ND football let down. However, this is basketball and not football, so I think the Irish will take care of business.”

BONUS PICKS

No.3 Kansas @ No.4 Baylor - Baylor
No.14 Virginia @ No.10 North Carolina - North Carolina
USC @ No.6 UCLA - UCLA
Army @ Navy - Navy

Bobby Norell, Editor (7-6) (16-16)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 84 - Boston College 70 (Michigan State W, Northwestern L, South Carolina L, Duke W)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 88 - North Carolina State Wolfpack 72

“To put it bluntly, NC State has just been down right terrible over the last six games. They’re giving up an average of 91.5 PPG over this stretch, and a date with one of the best offensive teams in the country is something I doubt the doctor ordered. They’re also playing for a lame duck coach.

Notre Dame is going to score, and they’re going to score a lot. I expect NC State to keep it close in the first half because this is a home game and they have a decent offense themselves. That being said, I don’t think they can run with a team as good as ND for a whole game. The only way I see ND losing this game is if they shoot poorly from the outside, which has happened this season.

The big four (Colson, Vasturia, Farrell and V.J. Beachem) have all shown up over the last three games. I like for that to continue on Saturday afternoon.

Oh and one last thing...WEAR THE GOLD JERSEYS.”

BONUS PICKS

No.3 Kansas @ No.4 Baylor - Kansas
No.14 Virginia @ No.10 North Carolina - North Carolina
USC @ No.6 UCLA - UCLA
Army @ Navy - Navy

Joshua Vowles, Site Manager (7-6) (16-16)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 85 - Boston College 67 (Ohio State L, Maryland W, South Carolina L, Virginia L)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 81 - North Carolina State Wolfpack 67

“Notre Dame runs the ball in Raleigh for like the first time...ever”

BONUS PICKS

No.3 Kansas @ No.4 Baylor - Kansas
No.14 Virginia @ No.10 North Carolina - North Carolina
USC @ No.6 UCLA - UCLA
Army @ Navy - Navy