Notre Dame Basketball vs. NC State: Staff Picks

Jeff Czerniakowski, Staff Writer (8-2 ND Games) (37-13 Bonus Picks)

N.C. State Wolfpack vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Notre Dame

“Still not very confident in this pick but if Notre Dame is going to have a successful season they have to win this game. It might not be pretty but I think the Irish pull away late for the win.”

#12 North Carolina Tar Heels at #24 Florida State Seminoles - #12 North Carolina

#24 Clemson Tigers at Boston College Eagles - Boston College

#8 Virginia Cavaliers at Virginia Tech Hokies - Virginia Tech

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at #13 Purdue Boilermakers - #13 Purdue

#17 Kentucky Wildcats at LSU Tigers - # 17 Kentucky

Bobby Norell, Editor (8-2 ND Games) (31-19 Bonus Picks)

N.C. State Wolkpack vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - N.C. State

“Bonzie is gone... and so is my hope. They weren't playing particularly good basketball with Colson, I can't see that changing without their best player and ACC POY candidate. Also, the students aren't back, its a 9PM tip and the weather will be colder than all get out. Expect a pretty stale environment in the Joyce Center. NC State will get the Irish here.”

BONUS PICKS

#12 North Carolina Tar Heels at #24 Florida State Seminoles - #12 North Carolina

#24 Clemson Tigers at Boston College Eagles - #24 Clemson

#8 Virginia Cavaliers at Virginia Tech Hokies - Virginia Tech

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at #13 Purdue Boilermakers - #13 Purdue

#17 Kentucky Wildcats at LSU Tigers - # 17 Kentucky

Pat Rick, Editor (8-2 ND Games) (33-17 Bonus Picks)

N.C. State Wolfpack vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Notre Dame

“With the devastating injury to BONZIE COLSON, this Irish team is unlikely to win enough games in the ACC to make the NCAA Tournament. With that said, I think having NC State as the first opponent post-BONZIE-injury will be helpful, as I believe this Irish team can beat them at home without COLSON. It will obviously be much closer than with COLSON there, and the margin for error is incredibly small now, but I think Matt Farrell, TJ Gibbs, and potentially DJ Harvey all step up their scoring and bring home an emotional W without BONZIE. Martinas "The Bird Whisperer" Geben will get yet another dunk in this one as well -- likely at some point when the Wolfpack's 7-foot center Omer Yurtseven (amazing name) is off the floor. ”

BONUS PICKS

#12 North Carolina Tar Heels at #24 Florida State Seminoles - #24 Florida State

#24 Clemson Tigers at Boston College Eagles - #24 Clemson

#8 Virginia Cavaliers at Virginia Tech Hokies - Virginia Tech

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at #13 Purdue Boilermakers - #13 Purdue

#17 Kentucky Wildcats at LSU Tigers - # 17 Kentucky

Ryan Kelley, Staff Writer (8-2 ND Games) (30-20 Bonus Picks)

N.C. State Wolfpack vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - N.C. State

“Without Bonzie Colson, the Irish have to find a way to score and get a lot deeper off the bench. They will figure it out eventually, but it’s too soon. NC State averages more than 25 bench points per game and will tire the Irish out in their first game without their MVP.”

BONUS PICKS

#12 North Carolina Tar Heels at #24 Florida State Seminoles - #12 North Carolina

#24 Clemson Tigers at Boston College Eagles - #24 Clemson

#8 Virginia Cavaliers at Virginia Tech Hokies - #8 Virginia

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at #13 Purdue Boilermakers - #13 Purdue

#17 Kentucky Wildcats at LSU Tigers - # 17 Kentucky

Brad Wechter, Editor (8-2 ND Games) (29-11 Bonus Picks)

N.C. State Wolfpack vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - N.C. State

“I haven’t really seen anything out of the Irish that suggest they can win night-in and night-out in the ACC given the absence of Bonzie Colson. Even though NC State may not be strong this year, I’m especially pessimistic given the timing of the injury.”

BONUS PICKS

#12 North Carolina Tar Heels at #24 Florida State Seminoles - #12 North Carolina

#24 Clemson Tigers at Boston College Eagles - #24 Clemson

#8 Virginia Cavaliers at Virginia Tech Hokies - #8 Virginia

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at #13 Purdue Boilermakers - #13 Purdue

#17 Kentucky Wildcats at LSU Tigers - # 17 Kentucky

Ryan Chichester, Staff Writer (8-2 ND Games) (30-20 Bonus Picks)

N.C. State Wolfpack vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Notre Dame

“The injury to Bonzie obviously affects the outlook of the season, but not this game specifically. The supporting cast led by Matt Farrell gets it done at home, but the Irish luck will be in much worse shape when stronger ACC opponents arrive, at least until Bonzie returns.”

BONUS PICKS

#12 North Carolina Tar Heels at #24 Florida State Seminoles - #12 North Carolina

#24 Clemson Tigers at Boston College Eagles - #24 Clemson

#8 Virginia Cavaliers at Virginia Tech Hokies - #8 Virginia

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at #13 Purdue Boilermakers - #13 Purdue

#17 Kentucky Wildcats at LSU Tigers - # 17 Kentucky

Austin Gallagher, Staff Writer (7-3 ND Games) (33-17 Bonus Picks)

N.C. State Wolfpack vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - N.C. State

“With Bonzie out, the Outlook becomes much more grim for this inconsistent Irish team. Going toe to toe with ACC foes looks significantly more difficult with the centerpiece of this Irish squad gone. The Wolfpack will take this game from the Irish, and subsequently begin what looks to be a very rough stretch for Notre Dame.”

BONUS PICKS

#12 North Carolina Tar Heels at #24 Florida State Seminoles - #12 North Carolina

#24 Clemson Tigers at Boston College Eagles - Boston College

#8 Virginia Cavaliers at Virginia Tech Hokies - #8 Virginia

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at #13 Purdue Boilermakers - #13 Purdue

#17 Kentucky Wildcats at LSU Tigers - # 17 Kentucky