Saturday, November 15th, 8:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Lakefront Arena (10,000) -- New Orleans, Louisiana. Television: None. Home Record: NC State 0-0, UNO 0-0. Away Record: NC State 0-0, UNO 0-0. Neutral Record: NC State 0-0, UNO 0-0. Conference Record: NC State 0-0, UNO 0-0. Series Record: Series is tied, 1-1.

GAME NOTES: The season will begin for the New Orleans Privateers tonight as they host the NC State Wolfpack at the Lakefront Arena. It was not a strong showing for coach Sidney Lowe in his second year at NC State, as the Wolfpack stumbled to a 15-16 ledger, which included a horrendous 4-12 mark in ACC action. The Wolfpack lost some tremendous talent in the off-season, but the team does return some key players and should reach the .500 plateau this year. As for the Privateers, they are coming off a strong 19-win season, but coach Joe Pasternack will have a much tougher time in his second year as the lead man. New Orleans will have to replace four starters, most importantly Bo McCalebb, who is the all-time leading scorer in the Sun Belt Conference. It will be extremely tough for the Privateers to return to similar form this season, but Pasternack is hoping some newcomers can make an immediate impact tonight. This will be the third-ever meeting between the two schools on the hardwood. Last season the Privateers evened the series at one win apiece with a thrilling, 65-63 victory over the Wolfpack on their home floor.

The scoring prowess of J.J. Hickson and Gavin Grant are no longer around, but the Wolfpack do return some talented players, which could put this squad in great position to take a step forward. The return of Farnold Degand is a huge boost for this squad, as the guard missed last year with a knee injury. Degand is a tremendous point guard who makes everyone around him a better player. The frontcourt is the real strength for NC State, as forwards Courtney Fells (6-6), Brandon Costner (6-9) and Ben McCauley (6-9) can all produce. Fells averaged 10.6 ppg last year and can move to his more natural small forward position with the departure of Grant (13.1 ppg). Costner had a down year (8.6 ppg), but will look to return to his freshman form when he averaged, 16.0 ppg. McCauley (6.1 ppg) is the consummate team-player, who does whatever is asked of him.

With the season opening this evening a lot of questions will be answered for New Orleans, as coach Pasternack will have to figure out how to replace most of his scoring talent from a year ago. Kyndall Dykes, who posted 13.6 ppg and 5.4 rpg, is the only solid contributor on the roster. The senior forward will be looked upon to lead this young squad at both ends of the floor. T.J. Worley was a key reserve last season, but will now join Dykes in the starting lineup, giving the Privateers a strong one-two punch in the paint. Other than Dykes and Worley though, there is not much for coach Pasternack to work with, so tonight could be the beginning of a long season.

Last year the Privateers upset the Wolfpack on their home floor, and now it is time for NC State to return the favor. The Wolfpack have far too much for New Orleans and should run away with this game.

Predicted Outcome

NC State 71, New Orleans 54