Region Gameday 02.06.16
No. 2 North Carolina (19-3, 8-1) at Notre Dame (15-7, 6-4)
Joyce Center, South Bend, Ind., 7 p.m. (ESPN)
This is the teams’ first meeting since Notre Dame’s 90-82 victory in last season’s ACC tournament final. The Fighting Irish had to replace Jerian Grant and Pat Connaughton, but they are one of the best offensive teams in the country. On the other hand, though, Notre Dame has been one of the worst defensive teams in the ACC. That could bode well for UNC.
Andrew Carter
N.C. State (12-11, 2-8) at Duke (16-6, 5-4)
Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
Duke ranks 10th in the NCAA in scoring offense (84.7) and features two of the top five scorers in ACC play, as Grayson Allen (20.2) ranks second and Brandon Ingram (18.9) is fifth in league play. The Wolfpack will counter with Cat Barber, who leads the conference in scoring at 23.4 points per game and has has had 30 or more points in each of the past three games.
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Florida State (15-7, 5-5) at Wake Forest (10-12, 1-9)
Joel Coliseum, Winston-Salem, Noon(FSCR)
Wake Forest has lost its past seven games and sits a half-game ahead of Boston College at the bottom of the ACC standings. Florida State is on a three-game winning streak.
Davidson (12-8, 4-5) at Duquesne (15-7, 5-4)
Palumbo Center, Pittsburgh, 12:30 p.m. (NBCSN)
The Wildcats have lost their past two games, to Atlantic 10 front-runner Virginia Commonwealth and fourth-place George Washington. … After opening league play with three losses (including a 77-66 defeat to the Wildcats on Jan. 6), Duquesne has won three straight and five of its past six games.
Louisiana-Monroe (10-12, 6-5) at Appalachian State (6-16, 4-7)
Holmes Center, Boone, 3:30 p.m.
The Mountaineers lost at Louisiana-Monroe 72-56 on Dec. 31. … The Mountaineers, who have lost two straight and three of their past four, have lost their past two home games. … The Warhawks lost to Sun Belt rival Louisiana-Lafayette 72-65 in overtime Tuesday, snapping a four-game winning streak.
Clemson (14-8, 7-3) at Virginia Tech (12-11, 4-6)
Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Va., 4 p.m. (FSCR)
Clemson, still in the race for the ACC regular-season title, has won two of its past three games and is tied with Virginia for third in the league standings, a half-game benind Louisville. … Virginia Tech is 2-6 since stunning then-No. 4 Virginia on Jan. 4. The Hokies enter on a five-game losing streak.
No. 25 South Carolina (19-3, 6-3) at No. 8 Texas A&M (18-4, 7-2)
Reed Arena, College Station, Texas, 4 p.m. (ESPNU)
The Gamecocks, back in the Top 25 after dropping out last week, are tied with Kentucky and Florida for third in the SEC standings, a game behind co-leaders Texas A&M and Louisiana State. … Both teams are coming off losses – the Gamecocks at Georgia 69-56 Tuesday; the Aggies lost at Vanderbilt 77-60 Thursday.
Fayetteville State (10-11, 4-7) at Johnson C. Smith (10-10, 5-6)
Brayboy Gymnasium, 4 p.m.
The Golden Bulls host the Broncos with positioning in the CIAA tournament on the line. … Johnson C. Smith is tied with St. Augustine’s for second in the Southern Division. Fayetteville State is tied with Shaw for fourth. … The Golden Bulls have won the past two meetings, including an 81-77 on Jan. 16 in Fayetteville.
Queens (19-2, 13-2) at Brevard (3-17, 2-12)
Boshamer Gymnasium, Brevard, 4 p.m.
Queens is second in the South Atlantic League standings, two games behind Lincoln Memorial and 1 1/2 games ahead of third-place Wingate. … The Royals, on a five-game winning streak, have won their past four games against Brevard, including 90-82 on Jan. 25 at home.
Presbyterian (8-14, 3-8) at Gardner-Webb (12-12, 7-5)
Paul Porter Arena, Boiling Springs, 4:30 p.m.
Gardner-Webb has won its past two games after dropping four straight and is tied with Liberty for fifth in the Big South standings, a half-game behind High Point. … Presbyterian, which has lost four straight and six of seven, fell 87-76 to the Bulldogs on Dec. 2.
Old Dominion (12-10, 5-4) at Charlotte (8-14, 4-5)
Halton Arena, 7 p.m.
The 49ers, bouncing back from early-season struggles, have won four of their past five overall and three of their past four games in Conference USA play. … Old Dominion also has been on a tear in C-USA, winning two straight and three of its past four. … The Monarchs beat Charlotte 74-65 on Jan. 2.
Bill Kiser
This story was originally published February 5, 2016 at 6:48 PM with the headline "Region Gameday 02.06.16."