Ah the whims of this tournament format. NC State has played only one game but already knows it cannot reach the ACC title game. Florida State improved to 2-0 earlier Thursday, and with a head-to-head win in hand, it would win a tiebreaker with the Pack if both finished 2-1. Alas.
NC State still needs to win these next two nights to breathe some life into its regiional hosting chances, which have been crumbling of late. The Pack is 2-5 since Elliott Avent got bit by that dang snake. Coincidence? Clearly not.
The Wolfpack and Hurricanes get underway at 7 p.