Rogers' Coach's Clinic >> Had Harvard Friday Night!
(NCAAB) Miami vs. North Carolina State,
Point Spread: -2.50 | -106.00 Miami (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The 14-7 Miami Hurricanes are on Tobacco Road this afternoon for a game in Raleigh against the 14-9 NC State Wolfpack. The 'Canes are 4-5 in ACC play and the Wolfpack a very disappointing 3-7.

Miami-Fla: The Hurricanes won 27 games last year and reached the Sweet 16. However, the core of that team is gone in SG McClellan (16.3), PG Rodrigues (12.6 & 4.5 APG) and center Jekiri (7.6 & 8.6). This year's team has a so-so frontcourt but a solid trio of guards in Reed (15.3), Newton (15.3) and Brown (12.3), who is also an excellent rebounder (6.7). The 6-8 Murphy leads the team in rebounding (8.0) but outside of the above-mentioned guards, no player averages as much as 7.0 PPG. Miami had beaten then-No. 9 North Carolina in its previous game (Saturday) but fell to No. 15 Florida State 75-57 on Wednesday. Miami prides itself on its defense but after taking a 34-31 halftime lead against the Seminoles, allowed FSU to shoot 60 percent over the final 20 minutes to pull away for the 18-point win.

NC State: Since winning 84-82 at Duke on Jan. 23, the Wolfpack got blown out 85-60 at Louisville (Sunday) and then squandered an 18-point lead in the final 8:44 against Syracuse on Wednesday, before losing 100-93 in overtime. NC State is off a 16-17 season but the Blue Ribbon Yearbook had them No. 23 in the preseason, led by incoming freshman PG Dennis Smith. Smith (18.7-4.7-6.9) has lived up to the hype (he's a likely NBA lottery pick) but the Wolfpack have been a disappointment, especially in league play at 3-7! Head coach Mark Gottfried has to be shaking his head, as Smith is surrounded by Henderson (14.3), Rowan (12.6) and Dorn (10.9 & 5.1) on the perimeter and the 6-8 Abu (12.1 & 7.3) up front.

The pick: NC State averages 81.3 PPG (31st) and hereat PNC Arena, ups that to 86.7 PPG but the Wolfpack are a poor defensive team. Miami holds oppponents to just 63.3 PPG (22nd) on 40.2% shootig (31st) and that defense will be the key to victory here. Make Miami an 8* play.