North Carolina State has cruised in its first three games while Vanderbilt has been playing its opponents close as the teams head into Thursday night's opening-round meeting of the Vegas Showdown in Las Vegas. NC State (3-0) has started the campaign with three straight victories for the sixth time in seven seasons. Vanderbilt (3-1) has won three straight games since a season-opening loss to Presbyterian. The Commodores' victories against USC Upstate, UNC Greensboro and Central Arkansas came by a combined 15 points. We think Vandy can hang tough here as NC State and Vanderbilt met last December in Chicago, with the Wolfpack winning 70-66. So the Commodores have revenge coming in here. Let's roll with Vanderbilt.