GAME NOTES: The NC State Wolfpack begin a three-game homestand on Tuesday, as they play host to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in a non-conference matchup at PNC Arena.

Mark Gottfried's Wolfpack return home after an unsuccessful trip to the Big Apple where they dropped Sunday's clash with nationally-ranked West Virginia as part of the Gotham Classic (83-69). The loss was just the third on the season for NC State, which will close out its non-conference slate against Cincinnati on Dec. 30.

Michael White's Bulldogs are also off to a strong start to the year. Louisiana Tech sits at 8-3 overall and will get a second chance at toppling an ACC foe. The team lost last weekend at Syracuse in a tight game (71-69), but gained some distance with Thursday's 79-54 blasting of Nicholls. Tech opens Conference USA action on Dec. 29 against Southern Miss.

This marks the first-ever meeting between these two programs.

The Bulldogs put on a defensive clinic in the rout of Nicholls last time out, as they forced a season-high 27 turnovers that resulted in a whopping 42 points. Meanwhile, the team blitzed Nicholls by shooting .475 from the floor overall and converting 15 3-pointers. Raheem Appleby led all scorers in the game with 20 points. Xavian Stapleton hit five 3-pointers and poured in 18 points in just 12 minutes of work off the bench.

Louisiana Tech has played decent defense this season, but the team's success s really fueled by efficient play at the offensive end. The Bulldogs enter this game averaging an impressive 77.0 ppg, doing so on .457 shooting. Appleby headlines a trio of double-digit scoring threats with 16.3 ppg. Alex Hamilton isn't far behind with 15.0 ppg, with Erik McCree rounding out the set with his 12.1 ppg. Kenneth Smith isn't much of a scorer (5.5 ppg), but he is among the national leaders in assists at 7.3 apg.

Alabama transfer Trevor Lacey was 8-of-15 shooting against West Virginia, but his 24 points went to waste in a 14-point loss to the Mountaineers on Sunday. Lacey was joined in double figures by Anthony Barber, who finished with 16 points, while Ralston Turner finished just under the mark with nine. Despite shooting .556 from the floor, including 8-of-14 from behind the arc, NC State lost the game, as 23 costly turnovers proved crucial.

The efficient shooting against West Virginia was nothing new for NC State, which enters this game averaging 74.2 ppg on .462 shooting. Lacey has made an immediate impact and has assuaged the loss of 2013-14 ACC Player of the Year T.J. Warren, as Lacey is averaging a strong 17.8 ppg. He is shooting .544 from the field overall, .453 from behind the arc and also makes an impact as a rebounder (5.2 rpg) and distributor (3.8 apg). Turner ranks second on the team in scoring at 14.4 ppg. followed by Barber and his 11.8 ppg.

These two teams are similar, but getting this one at home after a tough loss in a marquee matchup, should make the Wolfpack hungry for a win.